PORTLAND IS OUR FAVORITE CITY!
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9/27/2006
As a broadcaster, we've lived all over the USA. Of all the cities we've lived in, Portland is our favorite. Portland has a really cool vibe, without the huge city attached! As I mentioned earlier on this website, it actually rains more in Atlanta and many other places. The rain thing is hyped by those who want to discourage others from moving here. However, Portland's climate includes much rain, except in the Summer. Many days are cloudy with on and off rain. So many things are cool about Portland. The downtown area is sooo much nicer than almost any other city. The transit system is the best we've ever seen, be sure to ride the Maxx Light Rail system. The Oregon coast, the Columbia River Gorge, the restaurants, the art, Powells Books, the ecologically sensitive people, Mount Hood, Mount St Helens, taking the Amtrak up to Seattle, the hundreds of places to walk and hike. Excellent parks are everywhere.
Negatives? Housing is expensive, jobs can be hard to find. Some locals are not super friendly, at least on the surface. Often you can speak to someone on the street, just a friendly hello, and they'll suddenly look down at the sidewalk and will quickly walk away. Not too warm n' friendly sometimes. You'll occasionally get an unfriendly vibe because you're not FROM Portland. If you say you're from California you can get an unfriendly comment or look. There are those who seem to believe that if your family didn't arrive on a stagecoach back in the 1800s, then you are, as they sometimes say, "a long way from home." But, most people here are not like that.
Mark | Fairwood, WA