No Sterotypes or Ridicule...Just an Honest Guy's O
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5/16/2006
If you're remotely considering calling Portland your home, check out this posting. My wife and I moved here to accept a great job offer after we graduated from college back in 2004. We actually don’t live in the city (by choice) but commute there every day. The Portland metropolitan area has some great housing that maintains the suburban feel but keeps you close to the amenities of the big city. Albeit, the housing market has risen significantly in the two years we've lived here, but buyers with good credit and some extra cash can still find decent deals close to the city.
DISCOURAGING WEATHER:
Despite the highpoints of the area, Portland has major factors that are discouraging. Summer is gorgeous here, but summer only last 3 months. The rest of the year is generally cloudy with periods of relentless rain. If you’re a stay at home mom or dad, it can promote depression…you can never take little Jimmy and his sister Sally to the park because it's ALWAYS gloomy, rainy or freezing (often all at the same time).
THE AVERAGE JOE PORTLAND:
Without trying to stereotype anyone, my wife and I have found that residents of Portland are generally more impolite and rude than in other regions of the country (our personal observation). The guy at the fast food window seems shocked if you actually say "please" and "thank you". I've also seen that Military members are generally frowned upon and misunderstood here. If you're Military, be prepared to feel "strange" wearing your uniform out in public, even for a few minutes.
RELIGION & POLITICS (FROM A MODERATE'S VIEWPOINT):
Portland is truly unique in every way. Be prepared to expect that most people here tend to be irreligious (that is, not having a belief in God). True, there seems to be a Church on every street corner, but it still appears that the average population does not identify with a religious conviction. Instead, they tend to express an outwardly liberal, unspiritual view of the world around them. If you’re a conservative (especially a Republican), the views expressed by the majority of Portland's residents (educated or not) will probably make you uncomfortable, if not annoyed.
SUMMING IT UP FOR YA':
Portland is just like any other metropolis. Fast paced, cutting edge and unique. The outlying cities are more steady paced and suburban, but still maintain a "bleed over" of beliefs and liberalism from the city. Recreation is fantastic and the cost of living is pretty average (if not slightl
Mike | Troutdale, OR