Advice?

[serai]

.
I'm considering a move to Portland, OR.

Yeah, I know, shock. I've been a California girl all my life. But this state is swirling down the toilet, makes me infinitely sad to say, and I don't see it getting any better in the foreseeable future. There are no jobs around, the weather is getting weird, my disability payments are set to cut off any time now, and I'm gonna be thoroughly fucked.

But there is the small possibility of a job up in Portland. SMALL. I might be able to get an interview in the next couple of weeks, but I'm told the company is hiring copiously at the moment, so it's not completely out of the question that I'd get hired. IF I get an interview, I'll have to hoof it up to Portland, probably, which I'd want to do anyway to check out the area and the possibilities. But from what I've heard and know already, it is an excellent place to live, and the company I'm referring to has a great reputation with its workers. One of them even gave me her personal phone number, after urging me to apply, so I could contact her when I get in town.

This is still just in the consideration stage, not even planning yet. But I figure I should start thinking seriously now, in case it comes to pass. The really ironic part? My sister and her family are moving back to the U.S....IN OCTOBER. They'll be living in the house right next door to mine now. So there is a chance that I'll be leaving L.A just as they're arriving. Which would, you know, kinda suck. But I gotta do what's gotta be done, and if this turns out to be a way to unclog my life and start again fresh in a good place, then...no brainer.

So - advice? Anybody familiar with Portland, who can tell me useful stuff to know? Those of you who've pulled up stakes and moved a fair distance away, any sage words? I've done e move before, back in '89 when I moved to Northern CA, but it's been a while. What should I know now?

Eep!

Comments

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

oh wow!

I have no advice, but I sure have heard that Portland is really great. Do you know voontah? She's on my flist and lives in Portland. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you contacted her? She's not on LJ that often, but you could private message her maybe?

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Whoa! We visited Portland for five days a couple of years ago, and I loved it. Almost like Seattle, but a little more laid-back and counter-culture, IMHO.

And then there is Powell's (http://www.powells.com/locations/powells-city-of-books) which is to die for. Enough said.

[strangerian.livejournal.com]

I have a sister in Oregon (near Eugene) and cousins in Portland. I've visited. They're all happy there, and if you get a job that feels good for you, I'd totally say you're making a good move to go there.

Suggestions gleaned from sister (who moved from California several years ago):
* Oregon regulations aren't as stringent for things like consumer protection, so research ahead and *read* stuff like purchase conditions and warranties if you're buying a big-ticket item. No doubt the same applies to rental agreements.
* Speaking of big-ticket items, it's better to have Oregon plates on your car as soon as possible. (Or it was, several years ago. The local assumption that a California car means someone who's moving in for cheap real estate with more money than they deserve may have softened with current economic realities. Or not.)
* Voting is all by mail-in ballot, so electioneering is less exciting. I'd call this a feature rather than a bug...
* The cities and coast are notably Very Blue Liberal, but Oregon's mountain areas and eastern half, are equally Very Red. In Portland this may not bother you, but it might affect the overall state government.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Cool! I've been told Portland is very cool. It's been named the Greenest City in America, which sounds awesome to me.

Thanks for the link! P.S. When are we gonna get together again?

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info! It's good to know that people think it's a cool place.

[elderberrywine.livejournal.com]

Man, we gotta be doing that. Alas, school has started again, but let's figure this out. (Too long to wait until ST Reboot 2, alas! :D)