View from a sothern California person
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4/7/2008
Some people will find more good than bad here, others, like me, have decided Portland is definitely not working for them. I moved here 5 years ago for a person, not the place (that person is long gone from my life). Also, I just wanted a change of scenery at the time and I didn't care what it was. With all due respect to the people who find beauty in the greenery and comfort in the never-ended grey drizzly conditions, I have never understood what people mean when they say it is "so pretty here". I find it majorly depressing. All the soggy, drizzly, annoying, wet dog-smelling weather that never ends (by the end of the rainy season I feel like I'm psychotic).
Also, some people say Portlanders are "nice" but watch the heck out if you're not ultra-extreme liberal. There are liberal nazis here; people who burn with violent hatred towards anyone who does not agree with them...oh and they're the 'tolerant' ones. Plenty of over-educated, under-employed, arrogant, Prius driving, organic produce eating, gender-neutral people. Again, in some people's opinions, this is heaven on earth. Do be aware that the city is crawling with mentally ill homeless and yes, the leadership here caters to them so they're not going anywhere. They're very charming too, sometimes they scream at people who won't give them spare change. I've been chased by a transient before.
Relocation is not always a breeze, thus I have been stuck here this long. My plan is to go back to so. California. I am more determined now than ever as the city really does get worse and worse right before my eyes. And lastly, in my opinion, there is something very wrong with a city that does not have an oldies station on the radio.
Catherine | Portland, OR