I just moved here in June. I love it so far, and have no sales tax is a definite perk. (: I will warn you that Portland s unemployment rate is freakishly high at the moment. Be sure that you can get a job secured before you move here, or apply like crazy, which is what I did. Portland proper isn t cheap to live in, either, but if you re willing to expand to the cities that border it (such as Beaverton, Hillsboro, Aloha, etc.), then you ll find that the costs of living lower dramatically while still giving you convenient access to the town.The transit system here is WONDERFUL, you can literally get anywhere you need to go. (See Trimet.org if that bit interests you.) There s always something going on, too. Bored? Just go downtown and you re guaranteed to find something to do. Last time I want down there, there was a Tiki man dance going on in the park. That was entertaining. Oh, and yes, it rains quite a lot. It s humid and very overcast a lot of the time. Sometimes the drains will overflow into the streets. This usually happens in the heart of the town, however.You re guaranteed to meet a ton of cool, like-minded people, though, and that s a plus. Once you secure a place here, you won t want to leave. My biggest suggestion is just to make sure you can get a job, because that s really difficult here.
I VE LIVED HERE SINCE 1989 AND LOVE IT! IF YOUR INTO NATURE- ITS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. WITHIN 1 HOUR-SKI,BEACH S,MOUNTAINS, AND MORE. JOBS ARE HARD TO GET NOW- SO LOOK BEFORE MOVING. THE DOWNTOWN SCENE IS COOL- BUT I M INTO NATURE AND THIS IS WERE YOU CAN YOU CAN GET BOTH. FOR HOUSING AND JOBS -LOOK ON CL
Several friends of mine live there and absolutely love it. They moved from the Bay Area. They find it very cultural, good music scene, cheaper than SF, and more laid back. And it s easier to get a job there too, at least if you re in the tech scene.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/