Post #74062 by TikiMaxton on Mon, Feb 2, 2004 11:03 AM

Kingslod,
I work in commercial animation. Our sister company does print and design work for packaging, websites, brochures and the like. I know several people in agencies here and would be happy to at least give you their names. What is it that you do?

Maggie and I live in an neighborhood (St. Johns) that is very much up and coming, with improvements to the downtown area (really more like a small town all its own), and a complete refurbishment of our historic bridge (designed by the same architect who did the Golden Gate, but 7 years earlier. He always claimed the St. Johns bridge was his favorite, till the day he died). We're about 20 minutes from downtown. Many houses (including ours) are on double lots, and it's easy to find a 100 year-old house if you want one. Our 4 bedroom house on a double lot with 2 additional outbuildings cost us $167k three and a half years ago. We moved from the bay area too, so of course we were shocked at the low prices.

This is an excellent restaurant city; a lot of really good comfort food, too - you won't see a lot of artsy, skimpy "haute cusine" here, just really great food.

We have 2 classic tiki bars in town, the Alibi and Jasmine Tree. In June there will be a Tiki Crawl that will include those bars, live entertainment, and a tour of 3-5 home tiki bars.

Portland has something I've never encountered in another city, though I'm told they exist elsewhere: Theater Pubs. In my humble opinion, these are one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. You get to see a second-run movie, sit and eat pizza and drink excellent beer. And the movies are like $3. You'd have to find a sitter, though, as kids aren't allowed. There are at least 7 of these in town.

Don't know how you or your wife feel about nice clothes, but unless you want to stick out like a sore thumb (as Maggie chooses to do), leave your interesting, formal and stylish clothing in SF - Portlanders don't know how to dress. Shorts and hoodies can be seen even at events like the opera or theater. Columbia Sportswear is the uniform, and God help you if you violate it. The exceptions? Punks and Goths are still in style here. Mullets can be seen from time-to-time. Frankly, the whole town could use a visit from the Fab 5.

There are a lot of upscale suburbs to be found here, if that's your thing. Personally, I much prefer the true Portland neighborhood scene, as all the 'burbs here look pretty much like any burb anywhere else, 'but some people prefer that. Among the places to consider if this is what you want: Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard, Cedar Hills. Troutdale if you're hurting for money.

Other things to know: Some people never get used to the weather. Ever. Even some natives. Our solution is to travel as much as possible between November and March. Spring is beautiful, but Summer is the Great Portland Season. People here don't leave the area during the summer. It's just too nice. Nothing here is pronounced the way it looks like it should be. The town of Aloha is pronounced Uh LOE uh. Just one example.

Email me offlist and I'll be happy to answer any more questions you might have, and help in any way I can.

Mark