Wisconsin to Portland (Eugene, Gresham, Milwaukie: for rent, month to, neighborhoods)

[sprl_out]

Hello everyone. Yeah I know...another transplant. I just wanted to tell you a little about myself. I'm a single 32 yo male who's moving to the Portland area. I do concrete construction as a profession. In my spare time I enjoy running, disc golfing, hiking, and pretty much anything that keeps me active. My plan is when I get out there (2 weeks). I'll look for a room for rent on CL that's month to month until I find what I'm looking for.

The biggest reason I'm drawn to the area is that I enjoy the outdoors. It seems Oregon offers a lot of the similar things that Wisconsin has, except for the brutally cold winters. It would be a lot easier to train for marathons in 40 degree rain than sub zero snow. I'm a big soccer fan, and I think it would be awesome to be able to go to a bunch of Timbers matches.

In the research that I have done. At first glance I seem to be interested in the Eastern part of Portland. I'd like to live in an area where I would see some cultural diversity. Which usually brings delicious food. So the question is, what are some areas I should check out? Some trails for running nearby would be nice, but not a big deal. Another thing that interests me is music (rock/metal). So a music venue would be a bonus. I'm flexible, so I can adapt to my surroundings very easy. I know it should go without saying, but I'd like to avoid crime-ridden areas.

I've been in contact with a couple of contractors, and shouldn't be a problem finding work with my experience. With the amount of construction a big city like Portland has, is helpful too. So my only concern I have, is where to live. That's where I'm hoping you guys and gals can help me out. Thanks for your time, and I'm curious in what you have to say.

[Nell Plotts]

I live west of downtown and don't pretend to know neighborhoods on the east side very well so my thoughts are from a distance.

Portland isn't very diverse but Chinese restaurants are often an indication of some diversity. I brought up Google maps of Portland and asked it to find Chinese restaurants. Interestingly there are a number west of Gresham & Troutdale, east of I-205, between I-84 and Hgy 26. That area will get you onto thoroughfares quickly and it appears that there are concrete contractor offices in that vicinity.

Be aware that job sites west of Portland will involve a beastly commute.

[eric351982]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Be aware that job sites west of Portland will involve a beastly commute.

I just have to second this. Portland may look compact on a map but the traffic is hellacious.

[sprl_out]

Originally Posted by eric351982

I just have to second this. Portland may look compact on a map but the traffic is hellacious.

From what I have read. It sounds like wherever you live you are going to have to deal with a brutal commute. It's something that I'm going to have to get used too.

[Nell Plotts]

The problem for a construction worker is that you have no control over the location of the jobsite. The location of the contractor's office is only marginally indicative of the jobs they bid on but because concrete contractors have forms and shoring they haul to a jobsite they are less likely to bid on jobs clear across creation.

I don't think finding a job will be a problem but finding a job that is convenient to your residence will limit your options.

[SETabor]

But if it's just a day job, the commute is to the office/yard to load up a truck. Driving from the yard to the job site is part of work so while it could be annoying to drive across town, you usually are on the clock while doing it which relieves some of the stress.

The only concrete contractors I've had any contact with are in the Milwaukie/Clackamas area. You may want to stay in SE, Milwaukie or at least convenient to I-205.

[Mini-apple-less]

Originally Posted by sprl_out

From what I have read. It sounds like wherever you live you are going to have to deal with a brutal commute. It's something that I'm going to have to get used too.

I don't know, I find Portland traffic can be worse than traffic in Los Angeles in a lot of cases.

[take57]

Job and transplant issues aside, Oregon and Wisconsin are eerily similar sans arctic winters. Portland=Milwaukee, Eugene=Madison, Cascade/Coast Range Foothills=Dells. God knows both places are awash with PBR. Sconnies seldom have trouble fitting it.
Good luck!

[Discovery1]

Originally Posted by sprl_out

From what I have read. It sounds like wherever you live you are going to have to deal with a brutal commute. It's something that I'm going to have to get used too.

Positive is everything.......You are single so i wouldn't worry too much about it. Just stay somewhere centrally located and you will be fine.

[dirt _farmer]

Originally Posted by take57

Job and transplant issues aside, Oregon and Wisconsin are eerily similar sans arctic winters. Portland=Milwaukee, Eugene=Madison, Cascade/Coast Range Foothills=Dells. God knows both places are awash with PBR. Sconnies seldom have trouble fitting it.
Good luck!

As someone who has spent years living in each place, I would tend to agree with this; however, I would consider the Driftless Region to be a better comparison to the foothills than the Dells (although some may consider the Dells to be in the Driftless Region, I consider it to be its far eastern edge).