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The young woman involved in selling Oregon as a travel destination is doing the state a commendable service, and if we have our heads screwed on, we have to thank her.

But I'm not sure I'll make her job easier, because this is what I'd say about Portland to anyone I know who might consider moving here and doesn't know it too well yet:

First of all, Portland is not a cosmopolitan city. If you've lived in a large, diverse cosmopolitan city before, you'll certainly understand that.

Second: Culturally and socially, Portland certainly has extremes. Places all over the U.S. look pretty much the same in many respects, but the cultural war sometimes invoked in the context of our national political "discourse" in this country in recent years seems to me real and particularly extreme in Portland. In some ways, it's a very progressive city. On the other hand, it's a place where you can ride the bus and see a young man proudly displaying the swastika tattooed on his arm (and combat knife on his belt) just after our recent presidential election. That's Oregon, and that's Portland. There definitely are racists too, and all manner of other persons with nothing at all in their heads.

Third: Portland is facing plenty of trouble economically. It was pointed out in the broadcast that young people can't find jobs. At the same time, the cost of living in Portland looks to be increasing way too fast given the economic base of the city. So I'd urge people to think twice about Portland for this reason especially.

Fourth: Portland is located in an extremely lush valley, and the weather is great, if you're accustomed to a climate where difficult weather is an unfortunate fact of life. It's comical to hear native Oregonians talk about it getting cold here. The weather is very mild all year round. Some people do miss the sun in the rainy seasons, and that's an important aspect you'd have to learn to cope with if you were moving here.

posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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