Seattle or Portland?

[Soybomb]

So I'm 27 and have grown up and lived in small midwest towns all my life. I don't have kids or anything, and I want to do something different. For quite a few years I've wanted to move to the pac nw. I think I'd enjoy nearly everything about it more. I'm planning to look for a job that wants to relocate or would at least hire an out of state IT worker but worst case I think I'd also be willing to just pack up some stuff and move with my savings and try to make it work. I think my two top choices at the moment are either Seattle or Portland. I'd like to hear some feedback from people that live or have lived there on which might be the better choice

 

[edro]

I loved both equally when I vacationed there last year.
You make me jealous that you are moving there.

 

[soulcougher73]

Ive not been to either. But ive toyed around with the idea of moving to Portland myself. im in the midwest as well. Portlands weather i think is a lot nicer overall compared to Seattle. Denver area also intrigues me.

 

[Modeps]

portland! (connecticut)

 

[Soybomb]

Thats encouraging to hear!

I'm on a gluten free diet but still a foodie and I think both have to offer better options than here. Illinois features really cold winters and really hot summers, I think I would love a more temperate climate. I love overcast days and rain. I think I'd like to try some camping and outdoor type things more and both seem to offer plenty of options there. Both states seem to be far friendly to libertarian minded people than Illinois. The list keeps going...I realize it may boil down to just average living in a big city life with a crappy commute and high housing prices but I'm optimistic that a geographic change can make life more fun.

 

[jamesave]

portland has a very good public transportation.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Seattle is bigger city feel. Portland is more laid back.

But Denver.......Denver ftw.

 

[rbV5]

Portland has the nation's leading Strip Club/Craft Beer Brewery ratio.

Top that Seattle!

 

[Soybomb]

Originally posted by: jamesave
portland has a very good public transportation.

How necessary is it in either? The biggest place I've lived had a pop of like 30k and my last job's drive to and from work was an hour and a half on rural high ways passing tractors. I'm not used to congestion or not having my car

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Seattle is larger, which makes it dirtier and a little more crime ridden, but there is also more to do. It's a couple hundred miles north of Portland, so it's colder in the winter and it gets more rain. It is overcast about as often as San Francisco is foggy (every goddamned day).

I've lived in Portland my whole life, so I can tell you that it is a fantastic city. It's not huge, though compared to small town Illinois, it will feel it. There's still plenty to do though. Because of Portland's unique position (a liberal bastion in an otherwise aggrarian state), you'll find an interesting blend of cultures; if you're ever craving the feel of smalltown midwest, you'll be able to find it in Portland (conversely, if you absolutely hate the feel of smalltown midwest, you can avoid it completely in Portland; it's an eclectic city that way). The public transportation system is top notch, to the point that I didn't need a driver's license until I turned 22. It's a great city in most respects (I'm moving out myself, but that's because after 25 years in the same place I feel a need to see what else the rest of the world has to offer).

 

[buck]

I live in Seattle, and if it weren't for my job (and the SO's) and the Seahawks, I would have moved to Portland already. Houses are cheaper, people are more laid back, closer to good surf, better weather, etc.. I could go on and on, I really like Oregon.

 

[pstylesss]

I like Seattle... for a day. I wouldn't want to live there. Portland has much better mass transit options if that is important to you. Traffic isn't as bad either. Personally, I would choose Seattle over Portland though.

 

[ITJunkie]

I've lived in Seattle all my life. It's a good city, lots to do and if you like the outdoors this place is golden. You can be in the mountains, Cascades, in about an hour from downtown. We're surrounded by water so all forms of boating is big. We also have Seafair, our yearly summer party that is fun as hell. It is a very diverse city as well; pretty liberal in many aspects but it has its conservative side too.

On the flip side, housing is frickin' expensive and gas prices are one of the highest in the nation, or so it seems. You are taxed pretty heavily here as well. No state income tax but you have a hefty sales tax at close to 9%. Construction is all over the place and is causing real growing pains in terms of public transportation filling needs. Our dumbass mayor likes throwing money at stupid things like the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley) that pretty much does nothing for moving people around town.

FWIW...

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: ITJunkie
I've lived in Seattle all my life. It's a good city, lots to do and if you like the outdoors this place is golden. You can be in the mountains, Cascades, in about an hour from downtown. We're surrounded by water so all forms of boating is big. We also have Seafair, our yearly summer party that is fun as hell. It is a very diverse city as well; pretty liberal in many aspects but it has its conservative side too.

On the flip side, housing is frickin' expensive and gas prices are one of the highest in the nation, or so it seems. You are taxed pretty heavily here as well. No state income tax but you have a hefty sales tax at close to 9%. Construction is all over the place and is causing real growing pains in terms of public transportation filling needs. Our dumbass mayor likes throwing money at stupid things like the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley) that pretty much does nothing for moving people around town.

FWIW...

Nickels is a POS. I doubt he'll make it back into office.

Personally, I like the sales tax. I'm only taxed on what I spend.

 

[polarmystery]

Originally posted by: ITJunkie
I've lived in Seattle all my life. It's a good city, lots to do and if you like the outdoors this place is golden. You can be in the mountains, Cascades, in about an hour from downtown. We're surrounded by water so all forms of boating is big. We also have Seafair, our yearly summer party that is fun as hell. It is a very diverse city as well; pretty liberal in many aspects but it has its conservative side too.

On the flip side, housing is frickin' expensive and gas prices are one of the highest in the nation, or so it seems. You are taxed pretty heavily here as well. No state income tax but you have a hefty sales tax at close to 9%. Construction is all over the place and is causing real growing pains in terms of public transportation filling needs. Our dumbass mayor likes throwing money at stupid things like the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley) that pretty much does nothing for moving people around town.

FWIW...

I want to take a ride on that

 

[wheresmybacon]

I've lived in both and I love both. If I didn't have family here (Portland) I would pretty much toss a coin in terms of which I prefer.

The one thing I absolutely hated about Seattle was the traffic. If you work in the city proper traffic is an absolute nightmare. Other than that I really don't have much bad to say about it. I don't mind rain, so the weather wasn't an issue. The main thing Seattle has over Portland is the big city feel and stuff that goes along with that. There's always something going on; you have an NFL, NBA, and an MLB team; you get every big name concert; more great restaurants; etc etc. I lived in Seattle for 3 years and only moved because I lost my job.

Portland is much smaller than Seattle, and IMO is much more liberal. It reportedly has the most strip clubs per capita in the US, and there a ton of cool sole-proprietorship restaurants, bars, and businesses of all kinds throughout the city. There is also always something going on in terms of music and art. It has a fantastic public transit system. Way better than Seattle. Forest Park owns. It's big enough to not be boring, but small enough to still feel homey. I honestly can't think of anything I don't like about Portland.

IMO you really can't lose with either choice.

 

[pstylesss]

Originally posted by: hungfarover
I've lived in both and I love both. If I didn't have family here (Portland) I would pretty much toss a coin in terms of which I prefer.

The one thing I absolutely hated about Seattle was the traffic. If you work in the city proper traffic is an absolute nightmare. Other than that I really don't have much bad to say about it. I don't mind rain, so the weather wasn't an issue. The main thing Seattle has over Portland is the big city feel and stuff that goes along with that. There's always something going on; you have an NFL, NBA, and an MLB team; you get every big name concert; more great restaurants; etc etc. I lived in Seattle for 3 years and only moved because I lost my job.

Portland is much smaller than Seattle, and IMO is much more liberal. It reportedly has the most strip clubs per capita in the US, and there a ton of cool sole-proprietorship restaurants, bars, and businesses of all kinds throughout the city. There is also always something going on in terms of music and art. It has a fantastic public transit system. Way better than Seattle. Forest Park owns. It's big enough to not be boring, but small enough to still feel homey. I honestly can't think of anything I don't like about Portland.

IMO you really can't lose with either choice.

QFT

 

[James Bond]

I've lived near Seattle my whole life, but never actually in it. There's always stuff going on, and as several others pointed out, there's the luxury of having three major sports teams (the Sonics will be gone in a year, though). Living in a suburb is nice - Don't have to really deal with the traffic, and I can go downtown whenever I feel like it on a $15 taxi ride. With that being said, I feel a bit 'dirty' in Seattle... It has that big city feel, which includes higher crime rates, etc.

I'm thinking about moving to Portland in a couple years. It seems like it has most of Seattle's pluses, but not many of the negatives.

I would REALLY miss Seafair though - Best party of the year.

PS: If you're the type that gets depressed around bad weather, choose Portland. This is probably THE main reason I want to move.

 

[xboxist]

A close friend of mine moved to Portland about 5 years back and I don't think he's coming home any time soon, if that tells you anything. He says the thought of moving back home (Grand Rapids, Michigan) makes him vomit.

 

[gamepad]

I've entertained the idea of moving to that area later in life. What's the political environment like over there?

Isn't Portland the left wing headquarters? I think I've read some articles about Portland residents burning military uniforms in a demonstration. I don't want any part of that.

Is Seattle just as liberal? Note: I'm not liberal or conservative, just in between.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: gamepad
I've entertained the idea of moving to that area later in life. What's the political environment like over there?

Isn't Portland the left wing headquarters? I think I've read some articles about Portland residents burning military uniforms in a demonstration. I don't want any part of that.

Is Seattle just as liberal? Note: I'm not liberal or conservative, just in between.

Seattle may not be _as_ liberal, but it's not too far behind.

 

[MaxDepth]

Personally, I don't think I have the right mentality or frame of mind to live on the left coast, but I know others absolutely love it.

Thinking about it I just realized that I have friends who either loved or hated Austin, TX, but no one I hates Portland. The ones in Portland either love it or miss something about the South, but don't want to move back.

One of my best friends explained Portland (the city) best: it is a place for adults. For singles or couples without kids, you have almost unlimited resources and things to explore. I know that both men and women have gone there and found new companions, friends with benefits, or spouses. I've been told you aren't alone in Portland unless you truly want to be alone.

 

[jpeyton]

Portland.

So we can be bestest buddies!

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: gamepad
I've entertained the idea of moving to that area later in life. What's the political environment like over there?

Isn't Portland the left wing headquarters? I think I've read some articles about Portland residents burning military uniforms in a demonstration. I don't want any part of that.

Is Seattle just as liberal? Note: I'm not liberal or conservative, just in between.

It wasn't just uniforms, it was also flags, bibles, and the bodies of non-believers. You are better off staying away.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: Tizyler
PS: If you're the type that gets depressed around bad weather, choose Portland. This is probably THE main reason I want to move.

It may be better than Seattle but it's still not great if you're very season sensitive. My g/f has a rough time for the 1/2 a year that it is cloudy. She's originally from Pittsburgh for reference. She loves the spring & summer though, and appreciates that the winters aren't so bitterly cold but the dreariness drives her crazy. On the other hand, a friend of hers from home who moved here on a whim loves it and never wants to return.

I'm not particularly home sensitive, I moved away for a couple years and didn't really miss it but I'm probably abnormal.

Portland Pros:

Mild summers and winters - Rarely too hot or cold, and when it is warm it's not too humid
Close proximity to a variety of outdoor situations - The metro area has easy access to the coast, mountains, rivers, lakes, forest, farmland, and desert (albeit a little further out). If you're at all into the outdoors you can do most anything here.
Very liberal/laid back culture. Want to walk around with blue hair and facial piercings? It won't even earn you a second glance here.
No salt on the roads so vehicles last MUCH longer
Great public transportation as many have mentioned. Very easy to jump a MAX downtown to avoid driving/parking for events.
Relatively safe
No sales tax (offset by the income tax)
Generally clean air - Many foreign coworkers I've met have commented on the clean air and the smell of trees when they arrived... I've lived here forever so I don't notice it but that is consistently mentioned.
Shall issue state if you're into guns and concealed carry
Great roads - When I moved to Pittsburgh I was absolutely floored by their terrible roads. Potholes, road construction year round, repairs on top of repairs on top of... I'm guessing this is because of our mild climate but the roads here are quite nice in comparison.

Cons:

If you don't like rain & overcast weather you'll be miserable about 1/2 the year.
Housing prices are still going up here
Somewhat steep income tax (offset by the lack of sales tax)

Honestly there's not really a lot to dislike about the area. The weather is an issue for some people but I'll happily take overcast & rainy over below freezing for weeks on end.

Viper GTS