There is no One way to see any large city - 3/20/2023

I lived in Portland for 19 years (I've also lived in Boise, ID, the Bay Area, Austin, TX and now Nampa, ID). It drives me nuts when people try to give a large city a single identity. It's a large city with all sorts of people, neighborhoods, problems and perks. I did not live in Portland through the covid/BLM meltdown and from my friends perspectives, it was scary and sad. That being said, it was a country wide problem/movement that affected every large city and lots of smaller ones. The press coverage of the rioting in a city that I love was sad to watch, and the damage will take years to recover from but it did not define Portland in anyway except to show that lots of people care about social justice and a small percentage of those people think that violence is justified (their belief, not mine) and they got the media's attention. I have faith that Portland will continue to move forward (in the slow way that city governments move) towards addressing its issues in the same way that other large cities are scrambling to find ways to address these very difficult and hard to solve problems (there's not a country in the world that doesn't have homelessness). In the mean time, ragging on the city because it's white and hipster doesn't make sense. Like attracts like and that is what has happened for almost 200 years (it takes a long time to overcome the lack of diversity caused by Oregon's 1844 black exclusion laws). Lack of diversity doesn't make the people of Portland racist, but it does deprive them of things that cultural diversity brings to a city. Hopefully as it eventually becomes more diverse it will become more interesting. I didn't notice the lack of diversity as much because I lived on the East side which is far more diverse then the west (until you get further out in the burbs near the big tech companies). I rarely felt unsafe in Portland unless I had to park in an area known for drug dealing (every cities' problem). The unhoused population (in general) doesn't make you feel unsafe, they make you feel uncomfortable and those are very different feelings, not to be confused with each other. It is uncomfortable to know that you have what you need and these people do not. We should not fear them for in different circumstances, we could be them. Being unhoused does not make you a criminal. Portland is moving far too slowly to implement solutions for this population, that is true but again, this isn't a Portland problem, it's a large city problem and frankly, a national problem with housing costs and poor access to medical and addiction treatment. Portland is full of interesting people, beautiful landscapes, beautiful views of mountains and rivers, fantastic food and lots of cool small businesses. The weather is mild. The risks are earthquakes (there's a big one coming), flooding in low areas and wildfires (though luckily, not to the level of Northern California, yet). The walking/hiking is great, in town and everywhere around it. There is a lot of rain and it is hard to get used to (really hard if you are susceptible to seasonal affective disorder) but it makes it green and colorful and that's very easy to get used to. I miss it terribly. Aesthetically it has year round beauty which I really miss living in a high desert area now. I miss the food! OMG I miss the food! If you are conservative politically, and want to be surrounded by people of like mind, you will need to be strategic. It's a liberal city to the point that some taxes that pass, are not well thought through but pass anyway because they sound good to liberal minded people. As a liberal who grew up in a very conservative place, Portland was eye opening for me. But as with everything in the past 7 years, politics tend to teeter towards the extremes and I have to remind my liberal friends in Portland that not everyone sees things the way they do and a friendly conversation with a neighbor should probably not include politics. I now live where I grew up and BOY, is it a different political attitude around here! Is Portland for everyone? NO. Is Portland unsafe (a question I am asked a lot)? NO. As someone else suggested, look up the violent crime statistics. Will someone steal your bike if you leave it leaning against your garage door? Probably. Petty theft was a frustrating problem in my close-in NE, high cost neighborhood. Would I move back? YEP! (Good airport, 2 hours to the ocean, 1-1 1/2 hours to good skiing, great fishing, water skiing in the Columbia, 3 hours to Seattle, 3 1/2 hours to Bend, Symphony, Ballet, Broadway traveling shows, great concerts, lots of cool small venues and on and on)

[Comment on this Posting]

Great Place, Too Many Cars. - 11/8/2022

One of the best cities in America. Food scene is the best in the world. Weather is preferable over places where you have the same weather year round. I enjoy the changing of the seasons, others may not. One of the biggest gripe i have is people moving here from texas, california, etc who do not understand public transit. They come from places where you drive everywhere. Where every place they go has a 50000 space parking lot. We DO NOT need that garbage in portland. We have a great transit system. USE IT. Stop congesting our streets just cause you wanna take your lifted Ford F150 to drop off your kid at school. Listen folks, i get it. some of you need cars. But a lot of you don't need to drive everywhere you're going. Theres no need to take your family SUV downtown every weekend. Go park at a Park & Ride and take the MAX downtown if you want to spend time down there. Cars ruin cities. End of discussion.

[Comment on this Posting]

Houston Transplant, 2022 Portland Review - 10/10/2022

I moved from Houston to Portland about a year ago. I remember reading the reviews on here and it making me second guess moving before I did, so I wanted to come back and follow up. First thing to know, the city is gorgeous. Almost everywhere you look there is dense, well maintained greenery. Even in the middle of the winter, you can smell roses and other flowers throughout the city. The traffic is outstanding for a city this size (so long as you avoid the various bridges during rush hour times, those can get really annoying). The people are really calm and overall pretty friendly and welcoming. I had a hard time making friends over here at first, but that was mostly a result of my social situation and the attitude of "live and let live." It hasn't been nearly like what others have described as the Seattle/Portland Freeze. If you're having trouble finding a social group to connect with, you can fix that pretty easily so long as you take it upon yourself to go to social events, talk to people, and set plans. There was a large homeless problem that was pretty obvious, but since COVID hit and every landlord in America all at once decided to become opportunistic profiteers, most cities out of the Pacific costal area are barely any better. If you drive around Miami, Austin, New York City, ect you won't be surprised or overwhelmed by "how much worse it is." Every major city is struggling with these issues nowadays, and fear-mongering is mostly a byproduct of the right-wing smear campaign against "costal elities" as well as good, old-fashioned classism. I'd recommend looking up crime stats for the area and comparing them to any other city, you'll see what I'm talking about (if you really want a laugh, compare them to red state big cities). It's expensive, both in terms of gas and real estate, but if you've done research by using cost of living comparisons, you're already prepared for it. If it's affordable, you should absolutely live here. It's beautiful, peaceful, and friendly.

[Comment on this Posting]

Beautiful recreation, hypocritical people - 8/2/2022

Portland is a super unique place. It is both one of the greatest and one of the crappiest cities in the world. I'll try to explain... The best reason to live in Portland is the proximity to the Cascades. You're close to Mt Hood, Mt St Helen's, Mt Adam's, relatively close to Bend, etc etc. If you like outdoor sports it's a paradise and there are advantages to living in the city and recreating elsewhere. The Columbia River Gorge is close too. The beach is beautiful to go to several times, but I wouldn't rate it close to Florida or Hawaii in that it's cold and not tropical. It is close though from Portland which is an advantage. Portland isn't near as expensive as San Francisco or Seattle. Culturally it's very similar to San Francisco. I lived there for two years. I never had an issue with a homeless person living in SW Portland other than the fact my car and storage unit were broken in to. Don't ever leave even an empty backpack in your car. The homeless are generally taken care of so I don't feel like they are aggressive like in other cities. The police absolutely don't care about drugs, theft, homelessness etc. They only police for safety issues and I hear their response times are pretty slow. You're kinda on your own, but I just avoided shady people and was validating to them if I had to talk to them. The taxes and cost of living are extremely high compared to other places not on the West Coast. It really pays to be broke and on charity here or be a high earning tech person or trust fund kid. Middle class people will absolutely not fair well in Portland. That leads me to my last major point. Despite the fact that I love the outdoors and agree with the voters here and many social justice issues where they are the first in the nation to take the Ivy League intellectual, progressive approach, you may also find the people to be extremely narrow minded and hypocritical. Portland is the least diverse city in the US and they talk about diversity CONSTANTLY. Its in a very fake and shallow way IMO but don't tell them that because it's very serious. My wife is a foreign professional and they let her volunteer at the hospital and then had her clean things for them for free in a very demeaning way. So I wouldn't say it's actually diversity friendly, but they will constantly use that as a reason to keep you from receiving opportunuty if you are a white, Cia gendered, straight male. I job searched there for two years with a professional degree and found absolutely Nada. Luckily I had family money and a remote job to NYC for a while. I just found the people there to be weird and kind of toxically judgmental as a pretty moderate white person. It's really a city made for liberal nerds who worship identity politics in a fake and hollow way. With that said, I didn't think it was as bad as Portland is portrayed on the news on Fox etc. There were riots every day for months and it never bothered me. Don't go past about 80th street on the east side and avoid downtown. Downtown used to be beautiful and it's been destroyed during the George Floyd covid stuff. I'd still go there occasionally, but it's not the same. I'd still live there again, probably in the suburbs and just recreate and travel to other states to visit old friends. You can avoid the people if you want and just pay the arts taxes and crap to keep them from sending you to collections. The river is cool to have there and there are some arts festivals and all that I missed if it hadn't been covid time.

[Comment on this Posting]

depressing please go somewhere else maybe - 4/9/2022

ive lived half of my life in seattle and half now in portland, i loved these cities growing up but in recent years, its been going downhill, finally moved to boston. portland has a special place in my heart, the old portland still does, i remember going to downtown with family, enjoying the local dining spots, these days, its been three years, i don't want to even go, last time i went to visit my friend, we were harassed by this crazy guy, i don't feel safe in this city, and talk to any local portlanders and you'll hear from them, a lot of people that live here basically HATE this place, i have friends who are dying to get the hell out of here.

[Comment on this Posting]

Portland. A Critically broken & ill City. - 11/11/2021

I've lived in Portland for over 20 years (split with a 10 year move to Los Angeles) and it is now a virtually paralyzed city, drowning in poverty and poverty mindset. Portland HAD the fifth highest property taxes in the nation in 2020 (you're paying it even if you're renting). However for 2021 property taxes have increased significantly because voters voted for two big tax increases, because as the saying goes, “Portland doesn't let a potential tax increase go to waste.” And Portland certainly has high taxes all around that get worse every year. Income taxes are getting higher and higher just like the general population. As of 2021 you are taxed 5% from $ 0 (yeah, make 69 cent for the year and Oregon will want 5% of that and will go after you) 7% from $ 3,550 9% from $ 8,900 9.9% from $ 125,000 You also have a ton of little taxes/fees/duties, etc coming out of your paycheck for all manner of things such as bike lanes, community transportation, homeless tax (yeah, it's still a “homeless” tax), etc. If you plan to own a business, best wishes on having enough to live off of after all the things you are taxed for employing yourself or others. Portland metro genuinely seems to look down on those who work, and especially those who employ others. I'm not kidding. High crime and getting much worse because the incredibly worthless mayor and city council have all but euthanized the police force and turned the remaining zombies into mentally challenged eunuchs. Some of the worst public schools in the nation (not an opinion but a fact from many annual “best of” and “worst of” reports by main stream media). Drugs, drugs, and more drugs, including tent people shooting up in neighborhoods and throwing their dirty needles on sidewalks and streets. All drugs, including heroin, meth, crack, etc have been completely decriminalized in the name of "caring” so much for others. Tents can pop up overnight in your neighborhood (they will at some point) and there is next to NOTHING you can do about it. Complain all you want, you're not a liberal if you can't handle it, according to those in charge. Expect your trash to be strewn all over quite often due to the fact that drug addicted people will go through your trash looking for cans and bottles, which you will never return yourself unless you want to wait for hours waiting for the drug addicted people to return huge garbage bags full of other peoples cans and bottles so they can get high. Graffiti. Yeah, you'll see it everywhere and your house and or car will get tagged at some point. Mental illness is truly at crisis levels in the Portland area. They can get violent against you, no matter your gender, age, race, etc. They will vent on you or your children and it can be a matter of life or death, or serious injury. Not much will be done to them because they are mentally ill and it is “unfair” to them to be locked up. It apparently is more humane from a liberal mindset to let them wander the streets and live in tents on the sidewalk and to shoot up all day. A very caring city indeed. Speaking of mental illness, they may spend night after night in your neighborhood screaming how they will kill and **** you and or your children and the police can't do anything. I am being very serious about this. We get one from time to time in our neighborhood and many of us have called the police and there is NOTHING they will do. Get used to the fact that you are wrong. Oh yeah. It is a thing in Portland, and Oregon in general. Get used to people arguing with you. You're wrong. Get used to it, there is no arguing it, oh but they will still argue with you. ON EVERYTHING. Get it yet? Admit you're wrong, doesn't matter they'll argue with you and tell you that your wrong for admitting you're wrong. Physical illness. Something is very wrong in Portland. There is a ton of serious physical illness here. Stay here long enough and something will ail you. Some “rare” disease will afflict you and or your loved ones. Something isn't right in Portland. Stay in Portland long enough and you'll see. Traffic. Oh bad traffic, and it gets worse. Look, I lived in Los Angeles for a few years in the late 90's until the Great Recession. Traffic in Portland will drive you nuts, even if you ride a bike. Portland hates cars and close more and more lanes and streets for bike lanes that don't get used very often (some exceptions, but rare), and even streets are getting shut down so restaurants, etc can have outdoor eating. Or, there isn't any other reason except that cars are hated in this town. Parks. Forget about it. If they aren't filled with tents, they are filled with the drug addicted tent people throughout the day. If not this week, then next, but especially when the weather improves. Weather. Oh you have friends and they say the weather is great. There not lying, they just have been experiencing a heavy drought that will pass. This winter is shaping up to be more normal. Dark skies throughout the day with rarely interrupted slow and nearly constant rain. Have you ever seen a cloudy sky that is a sheet of grayness with no real definition of clouds? That is Portland through a significant portion of fall, winter and often spring during typical years. In normal years the weather doesn't get nice until after the 4th of July, no matter what your friends might say, because once again, they have been experiencing a severe drought with very abnormal weather. I could go on, but I'm being serious, if you are thinking about moving to Portland, find a way to stay here a couple of months before committing, or expect to feel like you should be committed to an asylum, which no longer exists, so they'll just give you a free tent, sign you up for food stamps, register you as a democrat and tell you to have a nice day.

[Comment on this Posting]

Really like overall, but definitely a few issues - 9/30/2021

I've lived in Portland for almost five years. I love the neighborhood feel where I live. There are regularly people out walking, biking, talking, and kids playing. On the bad side, I dislike the dark dreary winters, and I am saddened when I take walks at work (closer to downtown) and see homeless people everywhere, and their trash.

[Comment on this Posting]

Could’ve been something but took a bad turn. - 8/3/2021

Lived in Oregon for 29 years, Portland for 3. Early on, the homeless problem was prevalent but not overwhelming but seems to have skyrocketed in the past few years. Obviously COVID has affected things a lot, but Portland has exceptionally bad. Portland was very up and coming 2 years or so before COVID. And this review would be very different. But these are the factors bringing it down heavily: - Homelessness out of control - Crazy rate of increase in housing costs - Graffiti EVERYWHERE. Not over exaggerating at all. - As a moderate, I understand a progressive society is a healthy one, but this is getting to be absurd and it’s not helping. There are no protests, they are riots. - Crime growth across the board, noticeably so in higher income areas as well. There’s potential, but it has huge hurdles to overcome.

[Comment on this Posting]

You can do better - 8/2/2021

Lived here most of my adult life. Portland went from a fun, lively, friendly city to what looks like a scene from Mad Max. Portland isn't "weird" anymore, just desolate. It's a shame too because not even 10 years ago I would have argued this was one of the coolest cities in America.

[Comment on this Posting]

Oregon Native ; Portland and Salem are horrible - 7/19/2021

I was born in Portland 42 years ago and during my lifetime the city has really gone to hedouble hockey sticks. Especially in the last five years with the last two being the worst yet. In 2020 we endured riots for close to a year with the local government doing nothing and claiming that the rioters were peaceful. This was not the case . So much damage to property downtown many had to close business for good. So here are other things that have just gone away and what you can expect if visiting or relocating here. Lots and lots of homeless . Large camps like pretty much everywhere. Factors are that housing is not just overpriced but availability is very limited. As far as jobs go yes you can work but don’t expect stability . It’s either you will be hired and scheduled just right below the amount of hours needed for benefits, benefits provided but too costly for the employees or no benefits are offered . You won’t find a career here really that will provide a sustained income and longevity . We pay property tax at an insane hiked rate plus income taxes . Then there is the crime ! So many many many stolen cars !! Tons of property damage occurs and recently the amount of gun violence has soared. I swear each night on news there is at least two people killed from gun violence at the present time . Lots of fly by night scan employees come in and out . Also many “start up “ companies with Californian transplants at the lead of these. Most people are scraping by to make rent . Also expect to see used needles on the ground . They seem to be everywhere regardless of city or outplaying suburb . I have lived in Texas , VA , FL, and ID. Comparably majority of people in Oregon don’t care about their neighbors nor would stop to talk with you if they don’t know you. And if you need help for a medical emergency or other reasons honestly it’s rare that you will find it from others . Not saying it doesn’t happen but more often it doesn’t than it does. People stealing cars and doing other forms of illegal acts are not getting arrested . If they do it’s usually like a ticket that they have to appear in court and if they do get taken to jail they are usually right back out same day . Don’t know what happened but this potentially amazing place has turned toxic and rancid. Do yourself a favor and just skip our state and cities for a bit. It will even out with time but right now … yeah it’s really really bad .

[Comment on this Posting]

Oregon Native ; Portland and Salem are horrible - 7/19/2021

I was born in Portland 42 years ago and during my lifetime the city has really gone to hedouble hockey sticks. Especially in the last five years with the last two being the worst yet. In 2020 we endured riots for close to a year with the local government doing nothing and claiming that the rioters were peaceful. This was not the case . So much damage to property downtown many had to close business for good. So here are other things that have just gone away and what you can expect if visiting or relocating here. Lots and lots of homeless . Large camps like pretty much everywhere. Factors are that housing is not just overpriced but availability is very limited. As far as jobs go yes you can work but don’t expect stability . It’s either you will be hired and scheduled just right below the amount of hours needed for benefits, benefits provided but too costly for the employees or no benefits are offered . You won’t find a career here really that will provide a sustained income and longevity . We pay property tax at an insane hiked rate plus income taxes . Then there is the crime ! So many many many stolen cars !! Tons of property damage occurs and recently the amount of gun violence has soared. I swear each night on news there is at least two people killed from gun violence at the present time . Lots of fly by night scan employees come in and out . Also many “start up “ companies with Californian transplants at the lead of these. Most people are scraping by to make rent . Also expect to see used needles on the ground . They seem to be everywhere regardless of city or outplaying suburb . I have lived in Texas , VA , FL, and ID. Comparably majority of people in Oregon don’t care about their neighbors nor would stop to talk with you if they don’t know you. And if you need help for a medical emergency or other reasons honestly it’s rare that you will find it from others . Not saying it doesn’t happen but more often it doesn’t than it does. People stealing cars and doing other forms of illegal acts are not getting arrested . If they do it’s usually like a ticket that they have to appear in court and if they do get taken to jail they are usually right back out same day . Don’t know what happened but this potentially amazing place has turned toxic and rancid. Do yourself a favor and just skip our state and cities for a bit. It will even out with time but right now … yeah it’s really really bad .

[Comment on this Posting]

Oregon Native ; Portland and Salem are horrible - 7/19/2021

I was born in Portland 42 years ago and during my lifetime the city has really gone to hedouble hockey sticks. Especially in the last five years with the last two being the worst yet. In 2020 we endured riots for close to a year with the local government doing nothing and claiming that the rioters were peaceful. This was not the case . So much damage to property downtown many had to close business for good. So here are other things that have just gone away and what you can expect if visiting or relocating here. Lots and lots of homeless . Large camps like pretty much everywhere. Factors are that housing is not just overpriced but availability is very limited. As far as jobs go yes you can work but don’t expect stability . It’s either you will be hired and scheduled just right below the amount of hours needed for benefits, benefits provided but too costly for the employees or no benefits are offered . You won’t find a career here really that will provide a sustained income and longevity . We pay property tax at an insane hiked rate plus income taxes . Then there is the crime ! So many many many stolen cars !! Tons of property damage occurs and recently the amount of gun violence has soared. I swear each night on news there is at least two people killed from gun violence at the present time . Lots of fly by night scan employees come in and out . Also many “start up “ companies with Californian transplants at the lead of these. Most people are scraping by to make rent . Also expect to see used needles on the ground . They seem to be everywhere regardless of city or outplaying suburb . I have lived in Texas , VA , FL, and ID. Comparably majority of people in Oregon don’t care about their neighbors nor would stop to talk with you if they don’t know you. And if you need help for a medical emergency or other reasons honestly it’s rare that you will find it from others . Not saying it doesn’t happen but more often it doesn’t than it does. People stealing cars and doing other forms of illegal acts are not getting arrested . If they do it’s usually like a ticket that they have to appear in court and if they do get taken to jail they are usually right back out same day . Don’t know what happened but this potentially amazing place has turned toxic and rancid. Do yourself a favor and just skip our state and cities for a bit. It will even out with time but right now … yeah it’s really really bad .

[Comment on this Posting]

Oregon Native ; Portland and Salem are horrible - 7/19/2021

I was born in Portland 42 years ago and during my lifetime the city has really gone to hedouble hockey sticks. Especially in the last five years with the last two being the worst yet. In 2020 we endured riots for close to a year with the local government doing nothing and claiming that the rioters were peaceful. This was not the case . So much damage to property downtown many had to close business for good. So here are other things that have just gone away and what you can expect if visiting or relocating here. Lots and lots of homeless . Large camps like pretty much everywhere. Factors are that housing is not just overpriced but availability is very limited. As far as jobs go yes you can work but don’t expect stability . It’s either you will be hired and scheduled just right below the amount of hours needed for benefits, benefits provided but too costly for the employees or no benefits are offered . You won’t find a career here really that will provide a sustained income and longevity . We pay property tax at an insane hiked rate plus income taxes . Then there is the crime ! So many many many stolen cars !! Tons of property damage occurs and recently the amount of gun violence has soared. I swear each night on news there is at least two people killed from gun violence at the present time . Lots of fly by night scan employees come in and out . Also many “start up “ companies with Californian transplants at the lead of these. Most people are scraping by to make rent . Also expect to see used needles on the ground . They seem to be everywhere regardless of city or outplaying suburb . I have lived in Texas , VA , FL, and ID. Comparably majority of people in Oregon don’t care about their neighbors nor would stop to talk with you if they don’t know you. And if you need help for a medical emergency or other reasons honestly it’s rare that you will find it from others . Not saying it doesn’t happen but more often it doesn’t than it does. People stealing cars and doing other forms of illegal acts are not getting arrested . If they do it’s usually like a ticket that they have to appear in court and if they do get taken to jail they are usually right back out same day . Don’t know what happened but this potentially amazing place has turned toxic and rancid. Do yourself a favor and just skip our state and cities for a bit. It will even out with time but right now … yeah it’s really really bad .

[Comment on this Posting]

Don't come here, it is ruined - 7/10/2021

Born in Portland, it used to be a beautiful city and a lively downtown. NOW...downtown is completely destroyed. All the good places are gone, no one wants to go near the city. All roadsides are garbage dumps and slums because the idiot city leaders had so many giveaway programs for homeless. Most people I know have left or are leaving. I have my sights on another state as well. Too bad, why do rejects ruin so many places???

[Comment on this Posting]

Love the city - 7/8/2021

I’ve moved here 3 years ago & love it here.

[Comment on this Posting]

Flaming bag of dog poop - 7/5/2021

Portland used to be okay. Now it just plain sucks. Crime is out of control as the mayor and governor let the state fall apart with certain unlawful organizations. It is not the place it used to be pre-pandemic. I'm out.

[Comment on this Posting]

Liberal hell hole - 7/4/2021

Portland used to be a beautiful city just a few years back. Not now with the heavy influx of uneducated young liberal radicals moving into the city. You have a bunch of uneducated liberals trying to change a city that didn't need to be changed. I guess they think their socialist policies will work and it is obviously not working at all. Much higher crime, homelessness has soared, businesses are closing and leaving the city, poverty is increasing and covert or subtle racism is rampant. Terrible city now that these extreme left winger radicals have taken over.

[Comment on this Posting]

Influx of Non Oregonians Killing Portland & all of - 6/21/2021

Every out of stater who moved here and devastated Portland's housing market, infrastructure & resources are more than welcome to leave. It would go a long way to fix the problems plaguing Portland - just a few short years ago Portland was beautiful, much more affordable , cleaner, safer and friendlier but then everyone just kept moving here untealistically expecting a fairly small city that was already grappling with dearth of resources & pushed it all over the top. Fact is all of you people who had to move here gentrified what affordable housing Portland had and it's you people that complain and criticize but also happen to be the people who created all the garbage, homelessness and violence! You've driven housing costs sky high and stressed every resource to its breaking point and have the nerve to complain about how crappy it is now and none of you seem to correlate it with the massive influx of people like you who came in droves and wrecked it. Yes, people will be angry reading this but every native Oregonian like myself knows this true. Liberals aren't to blame, transplants are. Time to put up the sign instructing people from out of state that they are welcome to visit and go home !

[Comment on this Posting]

Portland went from fame to flame in only 3 years - 6/13/2021

We moved to Portland for work and lived there for 3 years. At first we thought it was great: beautiful trees, flowers, restaurants, breweries, shopping, etc. We learned to deal with rain, snow, ice, etc. Gloom goes with bloom. Then the homeless problem started to grow. Our car was broken into, my office was surrounded by tents, needles and poop started appearing everywhere. The City, county, metro, rail, and schools all started bonds that saw our already crazy property tax go up by 40% in 3 years. Almost 2% of market value. Then they passed an income tax, art tax...etc. But the streets remained full of potholes, garbage everywhere and graffiti slowly started to cover every surface. Covid hit and the city shut down. Restaurants, breweries, and shops closed. Then the riots started. Downtown became a war zone at night. Everything beautiful was destroyed. Nothing was safe. Gun crime shot through the roof. Homicides were up 600%. Instead of fixing crime, the DA stopped prosecution of the rioters, property and drug crimes. More drug addict homeless moved in. The police stopped responding to burglaries, car theft, bicycle theft and more. Response times for violent crimes shot up to 2 hours. The city council enabled all of this. So we sold our home to a family from California seeking Portlandia. We know they are landing in Flynt West. We bought a home in a clean, safe, well maintained, much lower cost, less radical city in Arizona. Taxes are 1/3 of Portland and we bought an equivalent home for 1/3 as well. Looking back into Portland now, the schools are going to crap as well and the whole situation has gone from bad to unbelievably aweful. Look elsewhere, you have been warned.

[Comment on this Posting]

Portland was beautiful until everyone moved here - 6/8/2021

Every out of stater who moved here and devastated Portland's housing market, infrastructure & resources are more than welcome to leave. It would go a long way to fix the problems plaguing Portland - just a few short years ago Portland was beautiful, much more affordable , cleaner, safer and friendlier but then everyone just kept moving here untealistically expecting a fairly small city that was already grappling with dearth of resources & pushed it all over the top. Fact is all of you people who had to move here gentrified what affordable housing Portland had and it's you people that complain and criticize but also happen to be the people who created all the garbage, homelessness and violence! You've driven housing costs sky high and stressed every resource to its breaking point and have the nerve to complain about how crappy it is now and none of you seem to correlate it with the massive influx of people like you who came in droves and wrecked it. Yes, people will be angry reading this but every native Oregonian like myself knows this true. Liberals aren't to blame, transplants are. Time to put up the sign instructing people from out of state that they are welcome to visit and go home !

[Comment on this Posting]