Sad advice
I just got back from a long weekend in Los Angeles, the city I consciously jilted 45 years ago to move to Portland. The two places are so different from each other. The Rose City had so many advantages back when I was choosing where to work, and had kept most of them even just a few years ago. But now it doesn't seem so swell.
We were talking the other night with the parents of a young person who is about to graduate from college. They said she was thinking of moving to Portland, getting rid of her car, and commuting on a bicycle and mass transit. I had to tell them, that's not such a hot idea right now.
It occurred to me as I said this that I had never done that before, warned people to stay away from Portland. One of the proudest discoveries of my adult life is no longer worth discovering. It's turned into a bad choice.
On the plane I read this story, about a couple that got so fed up with living in Portland that they moved all the way to Missouri. I wouldn't go that far, but I completely understand.
As our flight arrived at the gate in PDX, where they're burning through billions re-plating the terminal in platinum, the jet bridge wouldn't work. It took nearly a half hour for some geniuses from the Port of Portland to get the plane door open. That's Portland over the past 25 years or so, neglecting the basics for some shiny but misguided future while the construction goons laugh and pat their wallets. Looking at the current situation, I have no doubt that the me of 45 years ago would have been smart enough to stay in L.A.
I read that article too and thought to myself they could have stayed in the state they "loved" and avoided everything they complained of by moving to the suburbs. Not saying their complaints weren't warranted, but those problems are prevalent in cities. I was shocked when I was in an outer area recently and didn't see anything like what I see every day when I go outside my door.
ReplyDeleteWithin the Portland city limits is the absolute worst, but the taxes are pretty miserable throughout the whole state, and especially within the clutches of Metro or Tri-Met. The closest place I'd seriously consider is suburban Clark County, but if you're doing that, let's face it, you're moving to another world.
DeleteSuburban Clark County is not “another world” unless the fact that my property taxes in the last year went up $48 in total.
DeleteGrew up in Portland and spent 50+ years ago the last 20 in NE Portland with the last 15 in Irvington. Moved to Clark County last year. My new neighborhood is more diverse than NE Portland. It’s far more liberal than I expected and it’s why Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was elected to Congress. I’m happy I made the move and my wallet is a little more robust as well.
*some errors above which is a reminder to respond on a computer and not on my phone without reading glasses.
DeleteThere seemed to be about 100 different cities in the area called “LA”. I lived in two of them. Wonderful middle class places. Devoid of activists and graffiti. The LA Times was the “local newspaper paper”. But, they never had a story about our neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteMoved to Portland to be closer to family. Didn’t realize how politics in Oregon controlled things until it was time to pay taxes. I’m puzzled as to where that tax money gets spent. I don’t think I’m getting as much benefit as I should.
Way too much of it is paying pensions of retired government employees. And for those that retired a while back, the benefits are obscene.
DeleteI too have had to sadly admit that Portland is not the place it used to be when meeting new people here and during our travels. I warn folks not to visit and do not move here!
ReplyDeleteGroup of fools in Portland created an atmosphere that ended up reducing the number of cops on the force. Perfect timing for the opportunity of street criminals to feel free from the normal consequences of prosecution.
ReplyDeleteSame fools seem puzzled by exodus high income taxpayers.
Those who can move, have already or will soon move.
DeleteI left in 2019 after 45 years. Now happy to see that my tax dollars are no longer being wasted, and enjoying a safe active life elsewhere.
Fortunately, now closer to family and making new friends.
Yes, I can visit Oregon for a lot less than living there should the need arise.
To my astonishment I found it: My current community.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather's mother and father came to Grants Pass via ox-cart in the 1850s. My grandmother's parents ox-carted this way after he invalided out of the 9th Michigan infantry in 1865. My father's grandfather shipped from Sweden, landing in Astoria in the 1890s.
5th generation Oregonian who was always proud of Portland, the Columbia, the Cascades, and even the Coast Range. Hell I was raised in Hillsboro where some of my family settled in the 1890s and I was proud of that. I knew the state song, rock, bird, and tree. In grammar school I was taught the tribes.
Met Hatfield when he was governor and shook Tom McCall's hand twice. Listened to Wayne Morse in person. Was around the old scallywag Terry Schrunk hisself. And man, this town was dominated by cut-rate tooth butchers. Anesthetic?
I simply do not mention my Oregon associations to anyone that doesn't already know of them. My mother died young and never saw what became of Portland, which was that hick woman's Paris. My father lived to see.
I moved back to Portland in late 1992. I left for good in 2022. I have contempt for nearly every aspect of Multnomah County, its rulers, its inhabitants. To my astonishment I found a locale to settle in that exists in delicate near perfection. However, I see Portland values begining to metastsize in the grammar school.
The counter culture began to metastasize in Portland over a decade ago. It’s supporters call it Progressive.
DeleteSome day “hard work” will become fashionable again