Reviews & Comments
Portland, OR
A forest with a city woven into it. -
6/5/2018I am a 4th generation Oregonian and these are the facts:
WEATHER: Pacific ocean breezes bring cool damp air for 4 or 5 months, then we have a moderate spring/summer/fall. Because of this, on googlemaps Portland looks like a forest with a city artfully woven into it. We are surrounded by one of the most fertile valleys on the planet producing bountiful crops; our Farmers Market is world famous. We do not experience extreme or severe weather. Being a hilly city, Portland does not cope well with ice and snow.
PEOPLE: Founded in 1845 by farmers, loggers, fishermen and merchants, Portland was ultra conservative and exclusionary. Nearly 100 neighborhoods evolved, each with its own character. This remained the case until the mid 1960's, when the counterculture movement took root here with surprising rapidity. Those young people have been slowly changing the city as they mature and take the reins of power, giving Portland the reputation by the 1990's of being a liberal bastion. Now, due to being advertised as a "livable" city, Portland is experiencing a growth spurt for which it is not even vaguely prepared. It's changing so fast that change is the only generality that's valid.
SUMMARY: Mother nature here is very friendly; mild weather, skiing 50 miles to the east, ocean beaches 70 miles to the west, high desert 100 miles to the east, rainforests, the Columbia River Gorge, parks and hiking galore.
Do lots of research before considering moving to Portland; make sure it will work for you. If so, then come along and join us on the edge of North America in our little sanctuary.