Lets talk about Portland, and also include other marine side weather affected cities in this region. Seattle is similarly rain prone, just 50 or so less days of it. In between there are pockets that are drier, colder and more seasonally affected. that said, Portland is unique, and quite so in that outdoor enthusiast mode. Require clear skies? Take a quick 40mi travel to Multnomah Falls, see the Gorge that day in all its glory. Need a quick wknd get away but only want to drive an hour or so? The surfside awaits, crashing waves,once in a life time tidepools,rustic camp sites, Indian beach alone at high tide will shock anyones senses. The 85mi sunset highway drive alone has enough scenic beauty to uplift a person into that Northwest magic of mountainside native earthiness. Do you like to cruise in the open wind, trailing along leisurely while taking in Oregon's Forest Park, or jump off for a bit and walk up a side trail to one of many spectacular water falls(they are glorious beyond words)? Yes, from my most recent excursions into Portland proper, there is an aloofness,almost a aloneness of sorts present. Grey skies, wet cold soaking weather numbs against the physical body in the winter,spring is also very rain present but with one caveat, by late April, a glory of flowering trees and gardens explodes. This wave of color extends into almost every yard and block, almost surreal in its water color like landscape. From having lived prior in Portland for a decade, rain and its resulting affects were well received. Clean fresh air, droplets of pacific oriented moisture on your face is almost a magical moment by moment exp. Do I like rain? Thats way too generic, as having exp both east and west, with a dozen Midwest yrs in between, found it's incomparable to a day in the NW. I read through where while at Ft Clatsop OR, Merriweather Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expidition wrote of the daily incessant rainfall. So there you find atleast one person who apparently could not see the trees for the forest so to speak, they were also anxious to bring back the trips findings to the President. Marine environments are exactly that, to complain that its soggy, wet and so forth only describes what the Pacific Northwest is and why it exists at all. Job wise, yes its a tough go if not prepared, but not anymore than say planning a vacation and all its pros and cons. We have spent 19yrs removed from Portland, many of those in the Midwest(Madison WI and Seattle WA).
During that span, we have observed alot, especially why it is far more worthwhile to be where you belong,than to spend a whole life economically prospering but languishing constantly as to what might have been. As of this posting, we are 4yrs and counting to our move back, maybe Portland but within that metro vicinity for sure. Recommend Portland to others? Not sure, but gladly discuss details, including perceptions and realities. Do your homework before coming, explore employment possibilities, look for feedback from others that dont mind questions. Those of you that have made this place your home, be real, remeber you roots, plenty of us have rural farm backgrounds such as myself. many friends from North Dakota have made the move, all are still there in Portland, and from what recent heard, not ever considering any move back, not ever!
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Bismarck, ND |
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