My Fav Place Live- PDX!
-
8/21/2008
I have lived in Portland 3 different times spanning most of my life. I always want to go back. I love the progressive and accepting attitudes of many residents. It wasn't until I recently moved back to my family's home of Richmond, VA that I have come to appreciate how nice it is to live in a city whose citizens give a damn about the general quality of life in the community around them. Portland has a great mass transit that will become even better upon the completion of the new MAX line that runs parallel to I-205. You don't really need a car to live in most areas, LOTS of people ride bikes. The environment and sustainability is important to almost everyone, the level of awareness is higher than anywhere else I have been personally - and that is most of the US. I also have found that counter-culture and alternative life styles are very accepted. Very little random & violent crime.
The Cons- The cost of living is above average and has continued to rise and currently the housing market and mortgage markets have taken a serious hit. Unless you have some real money you might want to look at some of the less trendy neighborhoods if your buying there in this economy. Also, and this is only one persons opinion, but most of Oregon is white. I notice some tension towards minority races especially the growing Hispanic population. This is not to say racism is a problem in general mostly I saw it when I lived in SE and Gresham areas. It's nothing compared to the "accepted" segregation that exists where I live now.
Brooks | Tuckahoe, VA