Really want to move to Portland (from CA) but afraid everyone will hate me (Beaverton: job market, income)

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by theforestmoon

... but what makes California drivers stick out terribly up there?

1) Sitting in line at a food / drink Drive-up line when it is not raining (such as they do for hours at an In&Out)
2) Driving a CLEAN white pearlescent (impractical) pickup or SUV with low profile tires, PLASTIC running boards, or 'custom' trim pieces (Flares) and extra lights. Handle bar streamers on your bike will be a DEAD giveaway
3) Not following the Oregon unspoken Rules (considerate of others / yet passive aggressive) (Not sure how an Oregon driver can cope in Boston... they are the ones STUCK incessantly going in circles in the rotary... letting everyone else have the 'right-or-way'. Or the ones sitting at a self service gas station waiting for an 'attendant'.

Oregon has it's share of speeders, especially on the "Nanny state low-Speed-limit" on it's Interstate Highways,

I am certain a 45-50 mph speed limit would get a very quick voter approval in Oregon

[theforestmoon]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

I am certain a 45-50 mph speed limit would get a very quick voter approval in Oregon

...is that on the freeway?! what's the speed limit now?!

[theforestmoon]

Originally Posted by psichick

I moved from OC 5 years ago. And like you, I moved because this is home. Or at least my soul says it is.

pdxMiIKEpdx summed it up the best of what people dislike about transplants. I'd say that goes for any place and transplant.

In my own experience, since you're moving up here because it feels like home, people will view it differently than those that moved "to get out of LA and the traffic and the high prices" (don't get me wrong, we all kinda do) or "job opportunity". Instead of lying or avoiding saying you're from LA, do what I do. I simply say, "I'm born and raised in SoCal, but this has always been home". Most people will ask what you mean and you can tell them how it's always felt like home. Seriously, people melt when I tell them how I feel like my soul is home. Any Oregonian who wanted to view me as any other douchy Californian, let's it go because they see that I get why they love this place. And then, I'm an Oregonian in their eyes.

As for meeting people, I think that will depend on your age, lifestyle, and personality. I'm a 40-something, childfree (by choice), dog mom, homebody, introvert, so no matter where I go, it's hard for me to make friends. But I'm also fine being alone; it'd just be nice to have more people to go do things with. And yet, this is the same lifestyle I had back in CA. Whereas my cousin's moved up from NorCal about 6 years ago and they have a huge network of friends due to their kids, church, and doing things in their community.

Random suggestions and thoughts if you decide to move.

1. if you own a car and don't have the pink slip, order it BEFORE you move. Yes, you have 30 days to change your plates/license, BUT, I was told there's a 28-day minimum wait to get your pink slip in CA. Mine took over a month to get to me. Sidenote: registration will be sooooooo much cheaper than CA
2. remember, u-turns are basically not allowed. They're not 100% illegal, but view it that way, it's easier to remember

3. it's still weird not pumping my own gas, lol

4. If you don't drive horrible and aren't a total douche, no one will slash your tires
5. Considering what people told me here vs my actual experience, I don't think you have much to worry about especially if you feel you belong here more than CA.

6. People here are actually really friendly, native or not.

7. Cost of living is totally dependent on your lifestyle. For me, it didn't change much. My income to housing ratio is about the same. However, my electric bill is much higher due to electric heat
8. not sure how much time you've spent up here, but people who say you don't need a/c lie. (according to my phone, it's 94 right now and gonna get a bit hotter- it cools off around midnight - well, down to 76 or so).

From one Californian to another, who feels this is home; move. Just do it! Had to throw in Nike's slogan. No matter what is happening in my life, it's still better than it happening in SoCal. I live more or less the same and yet, it's so different to really feel home here. When I drive to work, I am in awe of the scenery every single day. Been that way for 5 years. It's going to take a few decades for it not to make me want to just stop and stare.

This is the loveliest answer and made me feel so much more at peace with my decision. It's like my heart/soul knows where it belongs, and I'm glad to know that others experience it too!

Thank you so much for this response, and your amazing points as well!

[DKM]

Originally Posted by theforestmoon

...is that on the freeway?! what's the speed limit now?!

50 on some, 55 on others. You have to get pretty far out of Portland to see limits above that. You'll get used to it. No seriously, I had to buy a faster car in CA because I drive 20 mph faster every day than I used to and the old slow one wasn't cutting it.

[Minervah]

I see you are posting in other forums as well to find your perfect new home. It's best to get all information before you decide so as to make good comparisons. I wouldn't worry so much about how to behave in any of those places. You really have to be yourself wherever you are or you will never be happy.

[theforestmoon]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I see you are posting in other forums as well to find your perfect new home. It's best to get all information before you decide so as to make good comparisons. I wouldn't worry so much about how to behave in any of those places. You really have to be yourself wherever you are or you will never be happy.

Yes, I am really leaning towards Portland the most as I really do feel a pull to the area, but I do like having as much info and as many back up plans as possible.

You make a good point. Thank you!

[theforestmoon]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I think you should look at Vermont. Portland's a ****hole anymore, and it'll just get worse as the fires and other conditions drive more Californians up.

I've actually seen Vermont come up a lot being recommended to me in my other threads. How is it comparable to Portland?

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by theforestmoon

I've actually seen Vermont come up a lot being recommended to me in my other threads. How is it comparable to Portland?

I can't compare it to Portland, sorry. From what I've read, it seems to have more of what you want.

[Oldglory]

I have family in the Portland area and love most all of Oregon. I know Oregon doesn't have sales tax but from what I understand their property taxes are pretty high. I would like to move near the coast as it's cooler. I'm retired so work isn't an issue. I am originally from back East and miss the greenness, rain and cooler weather but I don't miss the snow. Do the coastal areas get much snow?


I have lived in So. Calif. for many years and am sick of the heat and dry weather. I should have moved long ago but it's never too late.

[psichick]

Originally Posted by theforestmoon

This is the loveliest answer and made me feel so much more at peace with my decision. It's like my heart/soul knows where it belongs, and I'm glad to know that others experience it too!

Thank you so much for this response, and your amazing points as well!

I'm glad you found that helpful. In all the years I've been on this board, I don't think I've come across anyone who said they're moving because it's home. Not like how we feel about it. Oh, some say they love it, like it, enjoy it, but no one has said, "it feels like home" or "my heart/soul is home". and that's why i said, it's different when people find out why we moved. They're way more accepting, lol.