I live in the Portland area. I've lived here about 15 years now. If you want a happy report, don't keep reading.
It's not a place I'd recommend personally.
Businessweek named Portland the
unhappiest city in 2009, and things haven't changed. The cost of living is high because of housing costs, our
unemployment is over 9%, the skys are most often grey (data shows an average of 222 grey days a year), rain is plentiful,
traffic is pretty awful, and it's not a warm fuzzy friendly atmosphere. The positives are that it's a very accepting environment, there is quite a bit of progressiveness (ok, that can be bad too), our green lush trees are wonderful, mild weather, no sales tax, and if you love rain and grey you'll be thrilled. The area outside of Portland is beautiful- mountains and beaches are a couple hours away. But, hey, after 15 years I'm still living here so there must be something going for Portland. LOL
