47 replies to this topic

[tombarnes]

Portland has one of the nicest downtown areas in the country.  What impressed me the most about Portland is the strong sense of civic pride expressed by nearly everyone I encountered.  The people of Portland really do seem to care about their city and it shows.

[Jparsons]

I have to agree with all of you that Portland is America's most european city, and without any argument in my opinion, Americas BEST city. It is funny that few people know of how great a city it is. But really it is good that it is not hyped about. In fact that is one of the things that make it cool. It is nice too see a west coast town that is 10x better than San Francisco where people can still be career waiters, bell boys, gas station attendants and afford to raise a family and own a home in the coolest city America claims. GREAT people, restaurants, TRANSPORTATION, scenic beauty, proximity to natural wonders, architecture, mild climate and low cost of living are all huge perks. I am moving there this week and my wife and I could not be happier.  

[Sundodger]

^ You can't make a living with an entry level, no skill job in Portland, the housing prices are too high.

[Jparsons]

Sundodger, on Dec 25 2005, 10:15 PM, said:

^ You can't make a living with an entry level, no skill job in Portland, the housing prices are too high.

I believe that all depends on how long ago that person established themsleves in Portland. A few years ago it was half of what it is today to buy a home. Plus many neighborhoods around portland have houses at the national average price for starter homes, which is not too bad. My main point to make though, is take a look at ALL west coast major cities north and south of Portland. Housing prices are anywhere from 50% to 300% higher in all of them. My feeling is that if a person wishes to live on the west coast, an entry level job in Portland will get them further than comperable west coast major cities.

[Sundodger]

Again, Portland is expensive.  You have to go to resort communities or south to  north central California or all the way north  to Seattle to find prices as high as Portland.  

You have to live in Longview, Eugene, Coos Bay, etc. to live on an unskilled or teenager wage.  Spokane, Boise, Yakima, and the Tri-Cities are significantly more affordable too.  Portland is not an affordable city.  With the types of growth restrictions in place there, it is very tough to be affordable.

[city watcher]

I live in nashville and the Portland skyline looks good to me. It doesnt look boreing   from what i've seen

[swh1972]

I had a chance to visit Portland last week (from Charlotte) for the first time.  Unfortunately, I was there on business, and didn't get a chance to do too much sight seeing, but I was impressed with the little of it that I did see.  I will definitely have to make a trip back some time for leisure.

[ChiefJoJo]

OK, I am from NC and lived here all my life but I have always had this feeling that Portland somehow fits me so well ever since I visited there in July 1999.  I'm sure a lot has changed since then (LRT to PDX, etc.) but I really loved the place.  Great walkability, pubs (Bridgeport, McMenemins, Oregon Microbrew Festival! ) Powell books, the coffee shops, the beautiful scenery, forest park, superior transit system, the cool bridges, the river, the summer weather, left-leaning politics, sustainable growth and planning.  I'm giving some thought to relocating there, so I'm curious...

What are the housing prices like, say for an 800 sf condo semi-near the center city or along an LRT line?  I know this winter has been pretty rainy--how bad is it?  People lose it here in Raleigh when we get 3-4 days of rain in a row.  What is the economy like there in terms of decent to well-paying jobs?  (I have a background in engineering and planning)  Crime?  Higher education?  (ie, PSU, etc)  

Much thanks in advance!