Portland Is a Great City
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11/17/2010
I have live all my 60 years in Oregon and the last 37 years in the Porland Metro area. We all have a prejudice view of where we live, good, bad, or indifferent and that depends on how much we open up ourselves to our environment. Stay closed and not involved, unhappy. Open up and become involved, more happy.
Climate seems to be a big issue in the Northwest. There is no doubt that summers are to die for, low humidity and moderate temperatures July-Sept. Oct-Mar...Yep,the rainy season in the lower elevations, but abundant snowfall in the upper elevations for the winter enthusiasts. Sking, snowboarding, nordic, snowmobles, etc. April-June, Wow! what an explosion of life and lushness. You may have to peak between raindrops, but when the sun does come out (and it ofen does), get out of the way as Mother Nature will overwhelm you with all her goodness.
Taxes seems to be a big issue. Yes, we have an income tax, 9% on net income, not 10% as others have claimed. What they fail to mentioned is Oregon is one of the few states that does not have a sales tax. By the time all the screaming and yelling is done, Oregon ranks right in the middle of all states in overall taxes.
Natural beauty and accessability has been a long time drawing card to the area. What you read is true and much, much more beyond. You need to experience it to appreciate it. With that being said, Northwesterners are accused of being eco-nuts and that is a deterent to business because of strict environmental and land use laws. That is far from the truth. We want new businesses and the businesses we want are those that respect and enhance our quality of life. Isn't that what the Northwest is famous for?
Portland like many great cities in the U.S. embraces cultural diversity. When for some reason in isolated cases when this goes awry, the whole city takes it personaly and reaches out to heal the wound. And, they are very vocal about it with a response, "not in my city".
I have traveled to many of this country's states and major metropoitan cities. I was in Oklahoma in the middle of July several years ago and had envisioned scorched earth. I was dumbfounded to find the prairie green with grass. Oklahoma City was wonderful and I wished I could have spent more time there. I often fly back to NYC and am amazed at how that city can function with all those people (and it does). LA, Dallas, New Orleans, Chicago, San Fancisco, Phoenix, Houston, Detroit, Kansas City, Dallas, Minneapolis, Miami, Boston, They are all unique in their own way and are all very enjoyable to visit.
But as Dorothy said in the Wizard of OZ, "there is no place like home". I hope you all feel the same wherever you may live.
John | Hillsboro, OR