Portland natives - tell me what's up

[Turf1600]

I'm cross posting this from the 2002faq. I'll be in portland on the 22-28th of august. looking to see the sights, skate the spots and check out jobs. I've spoken with KenC about portland some. I didn't think I'd be there as long as I will - so scoping out some more info. Here's my post from there:

I'm going to be visiting portland late next month. I've never been - but I am traveling there to get an idea as to whether or not I want to relocate there from Houston, TX. I've done my research and it seems like the perfect city for me and my fiancee.

So, for those of you who are familiar - I have a few questions:

What non tourist things should I do to determine whether or not I want to live there?

What are the good and bad sides of town? Is downtown upper class, lower class, or is it experiencing gentrification?

My fiancee is a very visual person. What is/are the best place(s) to scope out the natural beauty of the PNW? I want to visit cannon beach and mt hood while I'm there - so traveling isn't out of the question.

How is the BMW scene up there? I know for a 1000% fact that it's better than Houston. Anything BMW related I should check out while in the area?

Any other tips or suggestions?

Just for some background info - I'm 26 and my fiancee is 25. She's a RN and I'm in healthcare administration - specifically emergency room management. I'm looking to move away from houston within the next 2-3 years and I think portland is it.

[bmwm42]

The two most important questions you should ask yourself first are, do you love rain. If you answered yes then proceed to next question. Do you love rain 10 months out of the year and the lack of sunshine that comes with it? if so then yes this will be the perfect place for you.

[ck_taft325is]

Do you have stock in Vitamin D?


Stock up on it if you don't and invest.

[Earendil]

I've lived an hour from Portland most of my life. So I can't speak much for the city, only the area.

So, for those of you who are familiar - I have a few questions:

What non tourist things should I do to determine whether or not I want to live there?

I don't know about you, but for me what makes a place livable is the weather, the culture, beer options, and the job market. The weather you can look up, the culture is distinct, Portland (last I checked) had more microbreweries per capital than any city on earth, and it sounds like the job market for your talent is solid and flourishing just about everywhere.

As for the culture, I'd take a walk downtown. Take an hour and walk around. Hopefully someone else can tell you exactly where would be a good place to do so, but this will give you about as good an idea as any about the culture in such a short period of time.

Also on the Must-See in portland and will facilitate the people-watching aspect, visit Powell's City of Books. Largest used and new book store in the would. If you are in the least bit interested in books, prepare to burn an hour :)

What are the good and bad sides of town? Is downtown upper class, lower class, or is it experiencing gentrification?

I can't speak to this.

My fiancee is a very visual person. What is/are the best place(s) to scope out the natural beauty of the PNW? I want to visit cannon beach and mt hood while I'm there - so traveling isn't out of the question.

Go to Timberline Lodge via my backyard, the Columbia Gorge.

If you decide to go through the Gorge, I'd suggest spending an extra 15 minutes and taking Hwy 14 instead of Interstate 84. The views are 10x as good, but you have to drive using a single lane instead of a double lane. More "fun" to drive too, just don't speed :)
The Bridge at White Salmon-Hood River is a @#$%ing 75 cent toll bridge though.

How is the BMW scene up there? I know for a 1000% fact that it's better than Houston. Anything BMW related I should check out while in the area?

E30 Picnic. 'nuff said. Okay, I'll add that there are over 200 E30's at the picnic, just in case you weren't aware. It is a gorgeous site.

Any other tips or suggestions?

That's it off the top of my head. I can say that I have visited many parts of the United states, but fine the Pacific NW to be just amazing. To each their own, but the relaxed culture, the ability to get from ocean, to rain forest, to glacier covered peaks, and then to desert in a matter of hours instead of days... That's my kind of area :)

Parting shot: I spent 2 months backpacking around Costa Rica, visiting rain forests and beaches. Amazing sites, easily was what everyone claims it is, one of the most beautiful countries. I was disappointed to return home and find out that I had grown up in an equally beautiful area. Sadly, the "norm" for me is what everyone else calls "amazing". Some people just aren't into the "outdoors". And if you aren't, you will find the NW to be less than deserving of the praise that the locals heap on it.

Let me know if I can clarify anything I've written. I don't intend to proof read as I've got to head out. Maybe I'll edit it tonight!

[Matt-B]

PM sent, we have e30 meets bi weekly, most are not posted, as we call each other to have 1

skate spots:

Burnside has been on every tony hawk game, its a nice park, lots of locals protect it

Swift: Vancouver's best and really only park ( dont go into the park ) lots of bums, and murders have happened there

Woodland WA: just revamped the park there, near I-5

[Turf1600]

The two most important questions you should ask yourself first are, do you love rain. If you answered yes then proceed to next question. Do you love rain 10 months out of the year and the lack of sunshine that comes with it? if so then yes this will be the perfect place for you.

Well, my fiance is an alabaster redhead so baking in the TX sun is not a good thing. She and I both like the rain but from what I understand it's different there - more misty light rain and less forrest gump big ol' fat rain like what we have here. Mostly I'm tired of the 8 month summers, shitty landscape and rampant pollution. I also don't mesh well with the religious right here. Portland has mild summers, some snow, ample skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, etc. in addition to a more moderate political perspective...

What I will miss about TX is the lack of state tax and gun control - but from what I understand there is no sales tax in OR?

[Earendil]

Well, my fiance is an alabaster redhead so baking in the TX sun is not a good thing. She and I both like the rain but from what I understand it's different there - more misty light rain and less forrest gump big ol' fat rain like what we have here.

That is the case. We do not have "torrential downpours" like other states have. Put another way, most rain falls as just enough rain to need the "constant" setting on your windshield wipers, but not so much that you can't see shit :)

Mostly I'm tired of the 8 month summers, shitty landscape and rampant pollution

.

8 Month summers is not a problem we have out here :)

I also don't mesh well with the religious right here.

Also not a problem, though expect your fanatics to be replaced by other types of fanatics, be they environmental or whatever. Crazy people looking for a cause seem to exist just about everywhere. However it does seem to be more fragmented out here. Too many causes ;-)

Portland has mild summers, some snow, ample skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, hiking, etc. in addition to a more moderate political perspective...

Mountains = Lots of snow.
Portland = City falls apart when it snows. Fortunately this happens only once a year or so.

I feel relatively confident saying that 98% of all outdoor sports can be had within 70 miles of Portland. And that includes the terrain necessary to test even the more advanced skills.

The "Moderate political perspective" is true. However the states (WA and OR) tend to be split east and west along the cascades. City folk vs Farmers, Democrat vs Republican. Politically speaking, the two states should probably be split North to south, not east to west :)

What I will miss about TX is the lack of state tax and gun control - but from what I understand there is no sales tax in OR?

OR = Income tax, no sales tax.
WA = Sales tax, no income tax.
Living in WA, working in OR = @#$%ed in the A :curse:
Living in WA, shopping in OR = woohoo :D

[kinvodA]

I live in Newberg, this skatepark is pretty cool I hear: http://www.skateoregon.com/Newberg/Newberg.html

[daniel]

No sales tax in OR.

I moved to Portland 6 years ago from OK and really love it. Yes it rains, but I'd exchange that for 50 100°F+ days each summer.

What non tourist things should I do to determine whether or not I want to live there?

I like the walk around downtown idea. It is not only a lot of fun to explore, but it is one of the most livable downtowns I've ever been to.

Each "borough" of Portland is unique and quirky in its own way, so if you get a chance, go to Mississippi, Alberta, Hawthorne, Division, NW 23rd (those are all streets), the Pearl, Sellwood (not streets) and I'm sure I'm leaving out a few other notable areas.

What are the good and bad sides of town? Is downtown upper class, lower class, or is it experiencing gentrification?

i'd say downtown is middle to upper class. really depends on where you are in downtown. the great thing about it though is you can walk around basically any area of downtown and feel safe at any time.

downtown is not necessarily gentrifying, but only because it is so active all the time that there isn't really much to gentrify. NE Portland is experiencing the most gentrification from what I've seen.

My fiancee is a very visual person. What is/are the best place(s) to scope out the natural beauty of the PNW? I want to visit cannon beach and mt hood while I'm there - so traveling isn't out of the question.

go to those two places and drive along the columbia river gorge. everywhere in between is beautiful, too.

How is the BMW scene up there? I know for a 1000% fact that it's better than Houston. Anything BMW related I should check out while in the area?

the best.

Any other tips or suggestions?

Just for some background info - I'm 26 and my fiancee is 25. She's a RN and I'm in healthcare administration - specifically emergency room management. I'm looking to move away from houston within the next 2-3 years and I think portland is it.

If you're already thinking Portland is it and you haven't even been here, then it probably IS it. It is a wonderful city with a great diverse crowd of people. I've traveled a lot around the country and there really isn't anywhere else like it. The questionable winter weather will play second fiddle to everything else the city has to offer.

If you do come up, let us know!

[StereoInstaller1]

The ratio of "bro truck" vs Lesbarus vs camaro is adequate. You will see more E9s here than you see E30s in Texas. You will see more E30s here than you see rainbow stickers in Austin.

I moved to PDX from San Diego in 1988, only left in 2003. Am likely to end up just south and west of there in the next couple years. Still the best place to live I have found yet.

Stay west side IMO, or east side of vancouver. SE or E PDX is a mixed bag, gotta check out 4 or 5 block over, minimum. Shit can be great for 3 blocks then straight ghetto 1/4 mile away. St Johns area is finally coming around, that is where I would live, personally.

I like more Urban than most, but I also need a garage and no HOA.

If she likes roses, make absolutely certain you get on the MAX somewhere and head out to the zoo, the Japanese gardens and the rose gardens. Also, drive out Skyline, get no less than 10 miles west of Germantown road. If the Stained Glass joint is open, pop in. If the Pizza joint is open, bring your savings account if you wanna eat. The Skyline Tavern is somewhere I have always wanted to have a drive to.

Make sure to get to Jimmy Macs, or better still, the Candlelight Room...crowd might be a little "mature" for ya, but I get the feeling you will fit in well. Much nightlife of all types, from Rodeo to Symphony, Jazz, Blues, Metal, Punk, Reggae, whatever. I say the best event is the one I missed again this year: The Portland Blues Festival. Ends with fireworks, but I always get to Fort Vancouver for that.

College ages kids are EVERYWHERE downtown, but generally stay away from Vaseline Alley, AKA 10th and Burnside. Do check out the Pearl district, also check out Alameda. Both a great place to go have coffee on a cool afternoon. There are tons of historic buildings and none of the landscape is anywhere near as flat as the hilliest part of Texas.

About that rain: only 2 cities in Oregon or Washington are even top 100 in rainfall, but PDX is only behind Seattle for most consecutive gloomy days. It is always gray...except for wen the sun pops out and the whole town explodes.

You still have my phone number? I might come down to kick it a minute. You have to promise to not be a food wimp though, we will get to MLK, get some middle eastern grub with pita fresh from the oven to the table.

You will love it.

Luke

[Turf1600]

The ratio of "bro truck" vs Lesbarus vs camaro is adequate. You will see more E9s here than you see E30s in Texas. You will see more E30s here than you see rainbow stickers in Austin.

I moved to PDX from San Diego in 1988, only left in 2003. Am likely to end up just south and west of there in the next couple years. Still the best place to live I have found yet.

Stay west side IMO, or east side of vancouver. SE or E PDX is a mixed bag, gotta check out 4 or 5 block over, minimum. Shit can be great for 3 blocks then straight ghetto 1/4 mile away. St Johns area is finally coming around, that is where I would live, personally.

I like more Urban than most, but I also need a garage and no HOA.

If she likes roses, make absolutely certain you get on the MAX somewhere and head out to the zoo, the Japanese gardens and the rose gardens. Also, drive out Skyline, get no less than 10 miles west of Germantown road. If the Stained Glass joint is open, pop in. If the Pizza joint is open, bring your savings account if you wanna eat. The Skyline Tavern is somewhere I have always wanted to have a drive to.

Make sure to get to Jimmy Macs, or better still, the Candlelight Room...crowd might be a little "mature" for ya, but I get the feeling you will fit in well. Much nightlife of all types, from Rodeo to Symphony, Jazz, Blues, Metal, Punk, Reggae, whatever. I say the best event is the one I missed again this year: The Portland Blues Festival. Ends with fireworks, but I always get to Fort Vancouver for that.

College ages kids are EVERYWHERE downtown, but generally stay away from Vaseline Alley, AKA 10th and Burnside. Do check out the Pearl district, also check out Alameda. Both a great place to go have coffee on a cool afternoon. There are tons of historic buildings and none of the landscape is anywhere near as flat as the hilliest part of Texas.

About that rain: only 2 cities in Oregon or Washington are even top 100 in rainfall, but PDX is only behind Seattle for most consecutive gloomy days. It is always gray...except for wen the sun pops out and the whole town explodes.

You still have my phone number? I might come down to kick it a minute. You have to promise to not be a food wimp though, we will get to MLK, get some middle eastern grub with pita fresh from the oven to the table.

You will love it.

Luke

Luke,

The pearl is my #1 target for living accomodations. I too prefer urban. I live in a near downtown highrise right now and prefer to keep it that way.

In terms of food - you're out of luck. I am a very picky eater.

I know you are into pool - if you come down we need to shoot it up. However, foosball is my game.

Also, it took me forever to figure out what a "Lesbaru" was.

[djjerme]

If you target the Pearl, prepare to not "own" anything. Rent is high, and you will probably be shunned for being a car guy. If you decide to live close-in, you better think that a Prius is the ultimate automobile, otherwise you will be stuck sniffing a cloud of Smug.

Sure we don't have sales tax, but we have taxes on EVERYTHING else, income, property..etc. I live just south of Alberta street, and it's great to get out and walk the dog (which is a requirement if you live in the area!)

here's how I would break it down:

want big house, garage, for cheap and don't mind driving everywhere: Live in Vancouver, Beaverton, Aloha, Tigard, Oregon City.

want an older, smaller house, with a standard 50x100 lot, tiny garage but everything in walking/biking distance: NE (up to 82nd), SE (to 52nd), St Johns, NW (Pearl mainly), and very close in SW, Gresham.

The lightrail is great for moving the homeless, and thugs back and forth across town, so I wouldn't live near it. Where ever the train goes, crime follows.

If you want to be around other "gearheads": Milwaukee, Gladstone, and the area that used to be Rockwood (east between 148th and 181st.)

One note, bicycles have more rights than anything else on the roads (including pedestrians) thanks to our special interest mayor, so if you see a cyclist be forewarned.

Yes, almost every outdoor activity is an hour away, and you can do them all! Even though people drive here at 5 mph under the speed limit (which max's out at 55 on the freeways) there are some great "driving" roads on the outskirts. Take the backroads to the coast, or the old Columbia Gorge Hwy. Also, the entire HWY 101 (from Astoria to Gold Beach) is a fun drive is you ever get the chance.

Since I have spent 30+ years here, I have seen it all come and go, and sometimes Portland really doesn't make sense, but if you find some good friends, spend as much time outdoors as you can (no matter the weather), you can have some fun.

[Turf1600]

I booked my flights this evening. Now I'm debating on whether or not I should rent a car or just wing it. I really don't want to pay $50 per day for a chevy aveo.

Edit: Anyone want to rent me a spare e30?

[djjerme]

the lightrail goes right to the airport, so you can just hop on that at the terminal. It will take you to Downtown, No-po, Westside, Eastside, and Crack-a-mas. You can take mass transit most anywhere in town, Tri-met in Oregon, and even "The Couv" has their own system (but only teenagers and people who lost their license ride it..)

[Farbin Kaiber]

PNW Conspiracy if full effect!