All of this helps a lot thanks!
Julie, you're probably only the second resident I've asked who doesn't recommend the area. All of this is very helpful as we're exploring this option, I want to hear the goods and the bads.
I've heard great things about Vancouver, but I've also heard that commute into Portland is unbearable. DH hates any commute, so if it was insane he wouldn't go for it at all! We've been looking more in the Portland suburbs to see about potential areas to live in.
I think the emphasis on the outdoors and healthy food, etc. is a big draw for us. We like that it's less conservative too. I don't know if we'd mind the rain. We like the sunshine (who doesn't?) but we live in the South where it's suffocatingly humid all summer, so we feel like we could do without that
I don't know if we have an accurate picture though... some people say it doesn't feel gray and gloomy all the time, and others say it's just depressing.