Portland anyone?

[RENThead09]

Just trying to do some career planning for my work meeting next week. I have a good knowledge of most of the places that I could possibly end up at for work, but the Pacific Northwest is definitely not my area of expertice.

I have been checking a number of different sites on the net, but it is always good to hear first hand from people you "know".

Any real positives or negative on the Portland area (or Seattle for that matter) to consider before someone might move there.

-Sounds like Portland is more rainy and Seattle is more snowy. Is that right?
-I do like the No State Tax concept in Oregon (like here in Vegas).
-Neither place seems to have good AYCE Sushi.
-Portland has a really good donut place (it was on Food Network)
-The Trailblazers...is that a positive or a negative?
-neither is a 3.5 hour drive to the gates of Disneyland

I went to Roseberg when I was 9 for see my cousins and we went to Crater Lake and some animal safari thing and I remember thinking that Salem smelled when we drove through it. Besides that, I got nothing.

Thanks for any help, ideas, suggestions, warnings, or whatknots that you could share!

-Pat

 

[rpmdfw]

Just wait for Rosie to wake up and log on.

She lives in Portland and she'll talk your ear off about any subject at all, so you should get a few useful tidbits from her.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Corporate office is in Seattle, so I go there from time to time.

Pretty, most definitely. Want to live there? For many, many reasons, no thanks.

Now, we'll wait for our Rosie to come along and tell us all about the good stuff.

 

[rosiep]

Corporate office is in Seattle, so I go there from time to time.

Pretty, most definitely. Want to live there? For many, many reasons, no thanks.

Now, we'll wait for our Rosie to come along and tell us all about the good stuff.

You do??? And you've never stopped by for coffee!!???

 

[rosiep]

As for Portland:

Originally from NYC...I adore Portland. It has enough of a metropolis to be interesting, yet space and sky to make you feel like you have room to breathe. It's an hour to the Coast or the Mountains in either direction. The food is definitely improving. I had some trouble when I first arrived finding a good Italian grocery...but have since found at least two that I love. As for sushi...there are some very fresh and delicious sushi restaurants...but you're right, the all you can eat ones are just so-so.
Portland is grey and rainy for a lot of the winter... but our temperatures are somewhat moderate. It's only been the last 4 or 5 years that snow seems to make an appearence here although the higher elevations get it more often.
The Trailblazers...sorry can't help you there...I never ever think of sports unless it's in my bedroom.

And lastly....Being far from Disney doesn't stop me! In fact I take most of my vacations back to the East Coast rather than the 2 hour plane ride to California....I love WDW

Anything else I can help you with...and I mean anything...let me know.
Portland is affordable (relative to NY or CA), easy to get around (good transportation system), and Gay friendly....plus.....IT HAS ME!!!

 

[zeitzeuge]

Rosie,
Check out www.nofishgofish.com some time if you want a unique dining experience. It's ran by my Ex's brother and husband. All they have are 4 different homemade soups each day and these sandwiches that are made in this middle eastern cooker that makes the sandwiches in the shape of little fishes. They spent years traveling all over the world and gathered lots of recipes. But uh, don't tell him I sent you.

No Fish, Go Fish
3962 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland, OR 97214-5258

 

[Gypsybear]

Oh how I miss Oregon. Portland is a nice place...not too large, and not too small....

The only thing is that if you're really into sunshine, you won't like it for too long in Portland.

LOVE their mass transportation....miss it actually.....rode it EVERY day...

If I were ready to retire, I'd put the NW on the top of my list. (just don't tell anyone...I was born Texan, and if they heard me say that out loud, they'd take away my boots).

 

[MonorailMan]

Portland tends to be fairly "progressive" as far as things like lifestyle, real estate and restaurants are concerned. If I had my choice of where I was moving I'd choose Portland over Seattle.....mainly because 2 of the 3 times I visited Seattle it rained everyday we were there.

 

[rstout]

We actually live in Salem, about 40 miles south. (It does not stink anymore; the paper mill is closed). Portland has about 750,000 people in the metro area, but still has a mid-size city feel. Great alternative transportation options, light rail, buses, biking.

Yes, it does rain in the winter, but Seattle actually gets a little more rain. The Trailblazers: Well, they are on the upswing. None of them have been arrested in quite a while, although one of them just had some nude photos posted of him on the internet by an ex-girlfriend.

Yes, there is no sales tax, but the total tax burden is on the high side. We do have domestic partnership, doctor assisted suicide, medial marijuana, illegal to pump your own gas and the (now repealed) 24/7/365 school crosswalk speed limit enforcement.

And yes, Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland. Actually, it is Voodoo Doughnuts and Wedding Chapel. My partner and I got married there in 2008. They closed the 50 square foot lobby area and put a sign on the door to go to the walk up window for doughnuts, and we had our ceremony in the lobby with Tre, one of the owners and licensed officiator. When the doors were unlocked, a women came in and asked who got married? I told her it was Dan and I. She congratulated us and then said, "Dude, you got married in a doughnut shop!?!?" I told her that we had been together for 23 years, so we didn't want to make the whole "wedding thing" too serious. But we did have the ceremony in February 2008, the month when domestic partnerships were officially recognized in Oregon. If you end up in Seattle, it is another great northwest city.

Best wishes!

 

[RENThead09]

thank you all for the information.

I think you all just kinda confirmed the direction I was leaning anyways.

Coming from the Midwest, it seems like it would be a nice place. I love the sun and the desert, but I am more anti-snow than I am pro-sun.

Glad to hear Salem doesn't stink any more. I couldn't remember what it was...the paper plant! that's what it was.

And wow, if I ever do move there, I would get to meet Rosie in person. The woman, The legend!

I did get a chance to see Greg Odems pictures. He was definitley been blessed by god with more than basketball skills. WOW! And I actually taught one of the guys that plays on the team when I was back in MN.

And when I get to make a trip up there for work, I will definitely check out No Fish, Go Fish. I am sure I would spend most of my time in Beaverton, but ya gotta check out the rest!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[rosiep]

thank you all for the information.


And wow, if I ever do move there, I would get to meet Rosie in person. The woman, The legend!

!

Just make sure you've had all your shots....'cause I can be contagious.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You do??? And you've never stopped by for coffee!!???

Welll, ummm... uhhhh...

You never INVITED me to!

 

[rpmdfw]

You do??? And you've never stopped by for coffee!!???

Welll, ummm... uhhhh...

You never INVITED me to!

Oh, Rosie, DVC is SHY! Even if DVC saw you at an event where you specifically said she should introduce herself, she get all afraid and just give you a half hearted wave leaving you to wonder "who is that waving at me?"



Not that I'm bitter about being snubbed at last Gay Days or anything . . .

 

[rosiep]

Welll, ummm... uhhhh...

You never INVITED me to!

Consider it an open invitation....(and I mean it!)

 

[rosiep]

Oh, Rosie, DVC is SHY! Even if DVC saw you at an event where you specifically said she should introduce herself, she get all afraid and just give you a half hearted wave leaving you to wonder "who is that waving at me?"



Not that I'm bitter about being snubbed at last Gay Days or anything . . .

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Oh, Rosie, DVC is SHY! Even if DVC saw you at an event where you specifically said she should introduce herself, she get all afraid and just give you a half hearted wave leaving you to wonder "who is that waving at me?"



Not that I'm bitter about being snubbed at last Gay Days or anything . . .

It was NEVER half hearted!!! Hey, I actually considered saying "Hi Rob" but then chickened out.

 

[rpmdfw]

It was NEVER half hearted!!! Hey, I actually considered saying "Hi Rob" but then chickened out.

Don't chicken out next time!

 

[RENThead09]

Thanks for the help everyone. I am actually one of the 3 finalists for the job and they are flying me up to Portland (well, Beaverton) next Thursday for the final interviews.

I am happy to be this far along in the process, but I would be lying if I said I hadn't already checked out prices for airfare to Anaheim and Orlando, just to wet my curiosity.

 

[ConcKahuna]

They allow gay men in Beaverton?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

They allow gay men in Beaverton?

ConcK!!!