I'm from the NE as well, and it was an adjustment moving to Portland. First, people here are nasty-not in a NYC "f**k you, buddy" sort of way, but in a dumb redneck manner. That's another thing-I am sure the average Oregonian IQ is somewhere in the 70-80 range. They can't drive for crap. If you want to change lanes of travel, the minute you put your turn signal on, they speed up to pace you, so that you can't change lanes. My solution is to just change lanes without warning...it's the only way to get where you need to be. The schools out here SUCK. If you have kids or plan on having children, don't send them to school here... coming from the east coast, you will regret it. Oh, and 'home schooling' is big out here. I never heard of it on the east coast. Out here, it's the white trash's answer to withdrawing his/her children from the public school system. They don't teach their kids anything except to becoming a new generation of meth-using junkies. There is so much white trash out here that I could cry. Oh, and don't get me started on the Pearl District. Overpriced, congested region of NW Portland that 'wants to be urbane and sophisticated." Again, it's like white trash toting around an ink-stained Coach bag. Oregon does not have the cultural depth of the east coast. If you move west, I recommend LA, San Fran, San Diego or Seattle. And another thing, if you're Jewish...don't even think about Portland. This city is rampant with anti-Semites. You'll become a lampshade or worse. I mistakenly told a few native Oregonians that I was Jewish... it's amazing my house hasn't yet been burned to the ground. I think hobo spiders will be the least of your worries if you move here. I can't wait to leave. I'm heading to LA in the next three months. It's been three years of pure agony living in this blue collar dump of a city.
Andrea | Portland, OR | Report Abuse

Thanks for your perspective, Andrea. I moved from LA to the North East a few years back, and some of your descriptions describe what I found in the East. That's why the West Coast is being considered by us again. Maybe it has to do with where you are from. I'll take your Portland rant as a basis for some further research - we were intrigued by the Pearl district. Onward!
steven | Coatesville, PA | Report Abuse

First, as someone who lives in Philadelphia and can't wait to leave to return back to Oregon, I would pretty much have to say that Andrea is either on a different planet or needs some serious help. As a student at University of Oregon in Eugene, I met more intelligent, original people than I ever have on the east coast. Her harsh words and utter contempt are exactly the problem with the east coast and why it can be such a dreadful place. People on the east coast think people on the west coast are dumb because west coasters, especially Oregonians, are more laid back do not have harshness or judgmental outlooks. A lot of people on the east coast equate these qualities with intelligence. This in itself is obviously completely absurd and illogical. I don’t understand why Andrea and other NE people are so bitchy. Andrea’s tone is exactly the issue I have with the NE. I really miss Portland and Eugene and look forward to going back. As a musician and generally creative person, I have been impressed with the cultural opportunities in Portland coupled with the live- and-let-live attitude. I must say I don't know as much about it as Eugene, but any info would be greatly appreciated
Julie | Eugene, OR | Report Abuse

Andrea- Andrea- I was active at the University of Oregon Hillel. Eugene has a good Jewish Scence and Portland is even better. My friend is very active in the Jewisdh Outdoors Club there. I have not expereinced any anti-semitism. I think it is hard for some people to be in a place they can actually be themselves.
Julie | Eugene, OR | Report Abuse

I think one must be careful with these type of review websites. Some people will give honest views. Some will plug a place as if its gods gift to earth. I think with Portland it is probably a place that has natural beauty in its georgraphy. I do not think it offers much more. I do not think it is a place for the majority of the US population. It is a place to visit and thats it. The general population can turn one off and one has to consider that when researching the area. Its lack of employment and the reasons for it being constant have to be considered. Its manner in which it collects and does not collect state revenue and its expenditures definitely has to be looked into. The reasons there is such a noticeable amount of homelessness and drug useage, and just plain disgusting behavior in public is of great concern. I think unless one is comfortable with constant radical politics in thier face. A not very down to earth diverse type of population then one will not be comfortable here. It is not the friendliest place one will visit. It is rather aloof and no one is going to jump out of their way to say hello in this town. It is definitely introverted and very Alternative. The friendliness one will see is if you meet the criteria for one of the alternative types. In fact way to much emphasis is placed on bohemian and alternative, Hipster, Yuppie lifestyles in this city. Its as if no other tax paying average joe or Jane means anything in this area. There is little geared to that population. Crime is very high and there is a very noticeable White Trash population, High Immigrant population and just plain free loaders all over this town. I do not see how the respectable Oregonian manages to remain here and can stand paying taxes for what is presented to a resident here. I can only recommend Portland as a place to visit. A place to use as a base for travel into the beautiful countryside, the mountains, the coast. I cannot recommend this city as a place to live. I quite honestly do not see the benefit of Portland in the USA. Thankfully most of the USA would not put up with more Portland's. .
Jim | Portland, OR | Report Abuse

The question was about jobs and hobo spiders, not encounters with "white trash." The job market here is somewhat tough right as it is everywhere it seems, but we seem to be doing a bit better than most. I would never advise moving here without first getting a job though. The hobo spider does exist here, it likes the cold, damp dreary climate. As awful as they sound, they are found almost exclusively along foundations, basements, and other low, damp areas. There are several spiders which look just like them, and are not dangerous (creepy, but not dangerous). We have virtually no black widows (although people claim to see them now and then) no scorpions, or tarantulas. By and large, Portland is free of nasty critters. As for white trash and anti-semites, I have traveled pretty extensively and find no more of them here than most places. I don't understand the "white trash" fixation with Portland, I think the presence of them must serve as a surprise to those who have read other things about Portland. If you don't like white people who drive pickup trucks, and you feel they might harm you somehow, then don't attempt to engage them socially. Most of them will only contact you if you are stranded roadside with a flat tire to help you, or to repair the stucco siding you insist on having because you had it when you lived somewhere else before. We do have a large industrial/labor sector here. Thankfully, this is not a down wholly dependent on service sector and "green" technology.
Jason | West Linn, OR | Report Abuse

I've lived in the Portland area my whole life, 45 years. Some of the negative things I read on this site seem a bit exxagerated. Yes we have crime, mean people and so forth, but compared to other cities, Portland is a breeze to live in. The only things that would worry me about someone thinking of moving here are the fact that finding a job can be difficult, the governments here are not really pro business and the winters tend to linger on a bit too long. Although our winters are quite temperate and mild compared to say, Chicago, Denver or Reno. It doesn't rain here as much as it used to and the showers are more intermittent now. It doesn't freeze much either. I would suggest a trip up here during the winter to see what it's like at its worst. I would also suggest moving to one of the suburbs like Tigard or Beaverton. I've always lived in the West Portland area, not the Eastside. Less crime and other problems on the Westside. That is, unless you like the more urban and Bohemian culture of the Eastside, then by all means move there. There are just more possible problems to deal with there, but it's not out of control or anything. Not like other cities.
Jeff | Portland, OR | Report Abuse

Oh, and I've never even seen one of those spiders. I think it's a rare occurance because I've never heard of anyone getting bitten.
Jeff | Portland, OR | Report Abuse

andrea, yours is the most ridiculous, wholly inaccurate and offensive description of portland i've seen yet. i've lived on the east coast (boston), the midwest (chicago) in two of the biggest cities in the country. the idea that portland is a blue collar dump, or that there is white trash in the pearl district is laughable. granted, portland is not racially diverse, for sure. but it is socio-economically diverse and has a deep, west coast sense of community for people in lower tax brackets (teachers, artists, contractors, retail staff) as well as the higher income professionals. which is not exactly true for the northeast united states. but all of that pales in comparison to your despicable, unfounded slur toward portlanders as anti-semites. i met a few people like you on the east coast - narrow-minded and slaves to a value system where only status matters. cultural depth? you wouldn't know it if you were up to your knees in it.
Mark | Portland, OR | Report Abuse

Portland runs circles aroung LA. if LA is so great, then why have so many moved here from LA? It's like the entire state of California is on fire or something. They have spread like a cancer. Oregon will never be the same thanks to them. Most of the backlash and rude experiences come from transplants that don't appreciate and respect the liberal culture. Many of the transplants are trying to tell Portlanders how to live. If you don't want to live in a culturallt rich city, then I wouldn't move to Portland. We have been trying to get rid of the materialism since it came from the southwest. I was born and raised in Oregon and I've seen Portland really change. Some good and some bad. Oregon boasts as being one of the cleanist cities in the nation, the most pet friendly, one of the healthiest, has the best drivers, courteous people and some of the most educated. The air quality is second to none. California is the polar opposite of everything I just mentioned. Have you breathed the air in LA? That's because it doesn't exhist. The only people that rip on Portland are the Californians. They are just mad that they can't change it to their liking and thats a really good thing. Portland isn't just one of the best cities in the nation but also on the Planet. Thats just from what I've read. The unemployment is high but that's also due to all of the poeple that keep moving to Portland. There are more out of state plates than Oregon plates. The parks are clean and green. The air is the best and the outdoors are only minutes away. However, I would visit first before making a decision. The liberal culture and higher cost of living may change your mind.
Scott | Beaverton, OR | Report Abuse