Portland, Oregon

AlethiaSi · #1 08-07-2007, 09:26 AM

Hey,
Ok so my roommates and I are thinking/ going to move out to Portland in about March or so (our lease is up in October, and we're not ready to move so soon, so hopefully we can do a 6 month lease). We've been doing some research, and none of us has ever been there, but that doesn't really matter, we just want to go. (I know it sounds crazy...)

Anyway, what do you know about the area?

What are the best places (i.e. neighborhoods/ areas) to live? (best meaning fun, safe and cheap lol) There will be 4 of us going, we've already been looking up places on Craigslist, but it's a little too soon for it.

What are the best schools (colleges, etc)

What is the nightlife like? the people?

These are just some preliminary questions... We don't even know anyone that lives there, but I know I trust your opinions/ advice

Thank you so much!!!

PeppyGPhiB · #2 08-07-2007, 04:53 PM

Portland is a cool little city. To tell you the truth I don't know much about the neighborhoods, other than that the Pearl District is the trendy spot.

Why your question about schools? Are you a current college student? University of Portland is a private school, there's Oregon Health Sciences University, and I think there's a Portland State University (correct me if i'm wrong, Oregonians). There are lots of other private Oregon schools relatively close by (Linfield, Willamette, Lewis & Clark, Reed), but Univ. of Oregon and Oregon State are both quite a drive from Portland.

macallan25 · #3 08-07-2007, 05:20 PM

Lot of degenerates.

VandalSquirrel · #4 08-07-2007, 08:11 PM

That's where I was coming from when I entered bat country and woke up outside Pendleton this morning

Give me a couple days to recover from the horrors and I can give you the scoop.

I will tell you this, Oregon has the worst drivers ANYWHERE. I was almost killed every 15 minutes, and I thank the Baby Jesus it wasn't raining because they suck at driving and it would only made things worse. The driving gets worse the closer one gets to Portland, but it is bad all over the state.

couggirl · #5 08-07-2007, 09:02 PM

Portland is a great city, Seattle is better. The best school i have to say is Reed, but have heard good things about Portland State. PSu is really small campus, but nice. I am honestly not sure what the best areas are because I live about an hour away. I do go to the malls in pdx a lot and they have a great public transit situation. Also, Powells bookstore in portland is the greatest place in the world.

justabeachbrat · #6 08-08-2007, 12:45 AM

Can't spell it, another brain freeze, but a great neighborhood is one that also has the name of the county. Cute shops, places to eat, big Starbucks, great bakery, all within walking distance of apts and homes.
Try a relocating to Portland web search, and in it look for neighborhoods, the are several, and some sites give the bad and good.
Great public transportation. Driving, I wasn't real keen on the bridges, no matter what, I seemed to be on the wrong one.
I intended to go there, for grad school, then out of state tuition went nuts.

AKA_Monet · #7 08-08-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by couggirl

Portland is a great city, Seattle is better.

HAAAY! That was what I was gonna say!!!

I thought, Oregon has state income taxes. Washington does not. Theoretically, you can live in Vancouver, WA and drive across the Columbia to Portland to work...

Yeah, if you like to HANG, go to Seattle. But it is very expensive to live in Seattle Proper. Like a Studio Condo is running ~$850 per month... However there is A LOT to do up here.

I dunno about the weather in Portland, but it is rainy most of the time in Seattle... Like today out in Microsoftville.

PeppyGPhiB · #8 08-10-2007, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

I will tell you this, Oregon has the worst drivers ANYWHERE. I was almost killed every 15 minutes, and I thank the Baby Jesus it wasn't raining because they suck at driving and it would only made things worse. The driving gets worse the closer one gets to Portland, but it is bad all over the state.

This is so true. Washingtonians are passive and distracted drivers, but even we make fun of Oregon and British Columbia drivers. Oregon drivers are slooooow and indecisive. But what really drives me nuts about driving through Portland (within the downtown area) is all the bicyclists on the road! It's like an obstacle course.