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[mattiewheels]

I lived in midtown Atlanta for all of my grownup life, and being away from it sucks. I really got used to parts of the culture there that I never found where I live now. But with the idea of moving out of here looming, I want to branch out to something different and try a new place. If anyone has experience in both cities that would be interesting to hear about, or just a one-sided idea of what it's like to live in either one. Hell, if you could compare Atlanta to either one from experience that would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

 

[cdyhybrid]

Are you a hipster?

Y: Portland
N: Seattle

Spoiler

Go where you can get a job

 

[Rentahamster]

Seattle.

Find a job first, then move.

 

[EatinOlives]

Never been to Portland, but Seattle is fucking amazing. I'd move there in a heartbeat.

EDIT: If you're considering Seattle make SURE you don't mind overcast skies and rain because that's what you'll be getting 95% of the time you live there.

 

[Forbin5]

Seattle is the grown up version of Portland IMO.
Both are great but if you're going to live there I'd compare social scenes.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

I live in Portland.

It's pretty cool.

But then again, Seattle's pretty cool, too. The traffic is worse there, though.

But yeah, like Cd said - go where the job is. And ha at the idea Seattle doesn't have their own subset of tryhard young people getting drunk and barfing their irony into the toilet at their hovel-of-choice

 

[Kano on the Phone]

Portland is a smaller city with more personality and better mass transit. Seattle is ok, but it's a pretty generic large city, but they have sports teams (sort of) if that's important. Both get plenty of concerts and shows and that kind of thing and the same weather. Both are better than Atlanta, in culture and in weather.

 

[lawlohwhat]

don't come to portland. we're full.

 

[Horse Detective]

you can drink PBR in Portland

 

[AyaisMUsikWhore]

This is funny because I was thinking of this same thing. I was stuck between these two as well but I'd probably visit both then make a decision. Portland looks cool but Seattle does too especially the food so it's hard. Visit first

 

[Cat Party]

Seattle is a "big city." Portland isn't. I live in Portland and it's perfect for me.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

you can drink PBR in Portland

PBR's resurrection in the early 2000s is absolutely, 100% attributable to people in Portland thinking it was cool to drink the shit.

We're sorry.

 

[Undercover Opulent]

Seattle is nice. Portland is nice too. If you like the city then go to Seattle. The weather is really dull and gloomy there though. Go where the money is ultimately. You can't go wrong with either places land wise or people wise. Really laid back.

 

[Horse Detective]

PBR's resurrection in the early 2000s is absolutely, 100% attributable to people in Portland thinking it was cool to drink the shit.

We're sorry.

I've never had it so all judgement reserved

 

[mattiewheels]

I should've mentioned that I'm not in the middle of a career, so whatever I get in Portland/Seattle would probably be part timing until I find my footing. I guess that's easier to manage?

 

[Stinkles]

In Seattle you can pump your own gas.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

I've never had it so all judgement reserved

You have to drink it ice cold, and you have to drink it within 5 minutes of opening it. Only then does it resemble a drinkable beer.

After 5 minutes, it becomes this weird, tepid, syrupy, battery-flavored fluid.

I should've mentioned that I'm not in the middle of a career, so whatever I get in Portland/Seattle would probably be part timing until I find my footing. I guess that's easier to manage?

Depending on what your career choice is, part-time might be what you're working even WHEN you find your footing.

Portland's job market isn't the greatest.

 

[Cat Party]

Portland's job market isn't the greatest.

Cost of living is lower, though.

 

[Trouble]

Seattle. 4.7% unemployment rate, baby.

I've never had it so all judgement reserved

I've had so I can be judgmental and it's awful. If you want cheap beer, Rainier is better.

 

[DrFaustPhD]

I've lived in both Portland and Seattle and have lots of friends that still live in both. They're both great cities, but personally I prefer Seattle. I like the layout of the roads better and in general have an easier time navigating the city. When I visit friends in Seattle, we walk everywhere we go (usually starting around the Capital Hill area, since that's where a lot of them live), when I visit friends in Portland we take a car every time we go to the next spot and the cool and affordable places to live seem a lot more detached and spread around. Both cities also have access to great outdoor rec, beautiful forests and the like, but again, I personally find the Seattle area easier to navigate. I've never been to Atlanta so I can't say how either compare. I personally have been planning to move to Seattle again in the not too distant future, Capital Hill, First Hill, Lower Queen Anne are the districts I'm most interested in living currently, they're pretty close to Downtown Seattle. I can't say for Portland though, I have friends that have lived in the Hawthorne area and the Hollywood district. Hawthorne seems a lot closer to cool shops and the like, Hollywood is a bit more detached from the city itself but has decent places for decent rates.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Cost of living is lower, though.

depending on whether or not you want to feel like you're living in Portland or whether you want to move here and find out within 3 months that Portland doesn't consider large swaths of Portland to actually be Portland and that a subtle sort of ostracization is creeping up around you the longer you rent that apartment on 102nd and Halsey.

 

[ajcacio]

Both are better than Atlanta, in culture and in weather.

no

 

[AntoneM]

I would say Seattle every time unless you had job lined up in Portland. Just be prepared to deal with "Seattle nice". http://crosscut.com/2009/03/03/seattle/18886/Seattles-niceness-problem/

In my experience, people in Phoenix are much nicer since so many people are from somewhere else. People in Phoenix are more willing to make new friends, People in Seattle are much more closed off because they already have their group of friends (personal experience).

 

[DrFaustPhD]

I live in Portland.

It's pretty cool.

But then again, Seattle's pretty cool, too. The traffic is worse there, though.

But yeah, like Cd said - go where the job is. And ha at the idea Seattle doesn't have their own subset of tryhard young people getting drunk and barfing their irony into the toilet at their hovel-of-choice

I don't think this is true anymore actually, there have been some new roads and bridges added in the last decade that have hugely improved traffic, I also think the layout of the streets is a lot more simple and navigable in Seattle. I've been lost in Portland a whole lot more at least. Both cities it sucks to drive in during rush hours though (7am-9am, 11am-1pm and 4pm-7pm)

 

[MikeDown]

Both cities are pretty neat, Portland has slightly less traffic and some really neat night life locals and restaurants. Seattle has terrible traffic, but has a nicer local, looking over Puget sound and what have you. Also Seattle has some really neat stores on the waterfront like Pike's market, and waterfront scene Portland doesn't offer. That said though Oregon doesn't have a sales tax at the moment, but I would figure there would likely be more jobs in Seattle.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

You can't really go wrong with either. Although keep in mind that Oregon has income tax.

Portland jobs are a little tough right now too, apart from some fairly specific marketing/tech positions.

 

[Konka]

Seattle is one of the best cities I've ever been to.

 

[Horse Detective]

no

yes

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Bush called Portland "Little Beirut." How you react to that gives you your answer.

 

[DrFaustPhD]

Both cities are pretty neat, Portland has slightly less traffic and some really neat night life locals and restaurants. Seattle has terrible traffic, but has a nicer local, looking over Puget sound and what have you. Also Seattle has some really neat stores on the waterfront like Pike's market, and waterfront scene Portland doesn't offer. That said though Oregon doesn't have a sales tax at the moment, but I would figure there would likely be more jobs in Seattle.

Yeah, but our income tax is a higher percentage than Washington's sales tax. If you want to play the tax angle, Vancouver, WA is practically a haven, most areas are a 10 minute drive from Portland.

 

[~Devil Trigger~]

vs

 

[FStop7]

I lived in midtown Atlanta for all of my grownup life, and being away from it sucks. I really got used to parts of the culture there that I never found where I live now. But with the idea of moving out of here looming, I want to branch out to something different and try a new place. If anyone has experience in both cities that would be interesting to hear about, or just a one-sided idea of what it's like to live in either one. Hell, if you could compare Atlanta to either one from experience that would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

Where in midtown? I used to live on Ponce De Leon Ave. across the street from the Fox.

 

[Sol..]

I lived in midtown Atlanta for all of my grownup life, and being away from it sucks. I really got used to parts of the culture there that I never found where I live now. But with the idea of moving out of here looming, I want to branch out to something different and try a new place. If anyone has experience in both cities that would be interesting to hear about, or just a one-sided idea of what it's like to live in either one. Hell, if you could compare Atlanta to either one from experience that would be awesome. Thanks in advance.

It would seem that portland is Little 5 points on steroids.

I think you know what to do.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

Portland also has the worst signage of any city in the country, although it's so bad it's almost endearing.

Is this about to become a turn-only lane? I don't know! Let's take this adventure together and find out!

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Portland also has the worst signage of any city in the country, although it's so bad it's almost endearing.

Is this about to become a turn-only lane? I don't know! Let's take this adventure together and find out!

Better hope you weren't trying to get off I-84 anytime soon!

edit: Better hope you weren't trying to turn left off Burnside!

 

[FStop7]

I think the general consensus is portland is basically one massive Little 5 points.

I think you know what to do.

This is turning into an "Things I miss about Atlanta" thread. I really miss L5P.

 

[AntoneM]

I'm drunk, forget what I said, it's nto even relevant.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

Better hope you weren't trying to get off I-84 anytime soon!

edit: Better hope you weren't trying to turn left off Burnside!

Which way to the highway? Ask the crows. Feel the wind. Let your heart guide you. All roads lead to I-84 if you let them take you far enough.

also there are two 32nd's right next to each other. Why not?

 

[dLMN8R]

After living in Seattle for more than 5 years, I don't think I ever want to live anywhere else.

Portland is cool, nice place to visit in a 3-hour drive, but I've found far more diversity, employment opportunity, and variety in Seattle.


<3 all of Seattle's quirky neighborhoods for different reasons.

 

[mattiewheels]

Where in midtown? I used to live on Ponce De Leon Ave. across the street from the Fox.

Ponce is my demarcation point for the center of anything I cared about in Atlanta. Yup, I lived right behind the Ponce library next to that Fellini's for a long time, then down Ponce in Decatur for a couple of years. Loved it there.

What I wonder is if Portland is a much smaller city than I'm imagining. I always pictured it as bigger/more diverse than Atl.

 

[MilkBeard]

Seattle is great. It took me a while to get used to it, but that was mainly because I lived in one of the outer suberb-y areas and didn't actually do much exploring. I have since moved inward, just north of downtown in the Greenwood/Greenlake area. The weather does get to me sometimes, but Portland does share some of our weather patterns. However, the summers are awe inspiring here.

I may be speaking out of my ass, but I *think* Seattle has more business opportunity, but that might depend on your profession. We also have Tacoma and Bellevue nearby which adds to the variety.

There are a lot of people who really like Portland though. I went there a few times and felt that it was a nice city, pretty progressive, but it felt a bit empty. I just like Seattle. It has everything I need and want.

Also, in a few months time you will love coffee shops and go there all the time. That's whether you choose Portland or Seattle. I am addicted. There are like 5 -6 coffee shops within close distance of my apartment.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

What I wonder is if Portland is a much smaller city than I'm imagining. I always pictured it as bigger/more diverse than Atl.

Portland is tiny for a major city, and it's almost all white.

 

[zaxor0]

My brother (we're both Atlanta natives) just moved from Decatur Ga to Portland and he really loves it. He is not a hipster either, more like a conservative yuppie. I haven't visited him yet so I don't know what its like, but I havent heard anything bad about the town from him.

I'm willing to bet the food isn't as good.

What I wonder is if Portland is a much smaller city than I'm imagining. I always pictured it as bigger/more diverse than Atl.

I've heard its very "walkable" which is something Atlanta isn't really known for. So I don't think it is as big.

I could shoot him a question or two if you like.

 

[mattiewheels]

In Seattle you can pump your own gas.

Whoa Frank, is it Full Service only in Oregon? Are tips involved with that?

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

I'm willing to bet the food isn't as good.

So wrong.

 

[Dartastic]

don't come to portland. we're full.

I'm looking forward to this thread devolving into a Seattle Vs. Portland slugfest.

Spoiler

Boooooo, Seattle Sounders, boo.

Seriously though. There are lots of great reasons to live in either city. The biggest problem with Portland is the job market, IMO. There are numerous other ways in which we're far superior to Seattle, and there's numerous ways that Seattle is far better than Portland. Plusses and minuses to each city. Seattle is definitely a major city however, while Portland... isn't. I prefer the feel of Portland to the feel of Seattle though, and every bar here is required to serve food until they close, so there's that. Plus biking around here is easy as hell, and tons of people do it while it's not really the best idea in Seattle.

 

[rudieboy77]

Isn't the dream of the 90's alive... aww you know the rest.

 

[dLMN8R]

I'm willing to bet the food isn't as good.

The food in Seattle is incredible. And like everything else in Seattle, there's a huge variety in its cuisine as well.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Which way to the highway? Ask the crows. Feel the wind. Let your heart guide you. All roads lead to I-84 if you let them take you far enough.

also there are two 32nd's right next to each other. Why not?

"What? Where are you? No, just keep going straight. You're still going straight? Where are you now? How could you still.. OH. Oh, you're on SANDY. Well God be with you then, because I can't help you any further."

"Hello? You're still alive? Congratulations, you're doing way better on Sandy than most do, then. You finally fo--oh. Oh no. Ladd's Addition? Dude, just... just pull over, and set the car on fire. You just discovered where you're going to spend the rest of your life. I hope you like circles."

Whoa Frank, is it Full Service only in Oregon? Are tips involved with that?

Nope. In fact, most gas station employees are told they have to refuse your tips even if you try to tip them.

Not there are going to be that many you're going to feel like tipping, since the idea of "full service" has become "I'll get to your car in like, 5 minutes, I'm smoking right now."

 

[mattiewheels]

Portland is tiny for a major city, and it's almost all white.

The tiniest major city I'm used to is Athens GA, and while it's really cool, it seemed so small and remote, and a friend who lived there hated it compared to Atlanta...