I m from the south east (Richmond, Virginia) and I was wondering what I should expect from Seattle and Portland. From my perspective, as someone who s never been to either but read up a lot it seems Seattle is bigger, more popular but expensive and crowded while Portland is also big, less popular (of the two) not as expensive and more planned out? I did do a search already:http://answers.yahoo.com/search/search_r��and it s just a lot of bickering back and forth between Seattle and Portland. The main difference here though is I ve never left the east coast. Will there still be much of a noticeable difference between the two? I m not asking for prices of a house or anything detailed like that, just in general. I m 21 and looking to have fun, but still be able to actually afford to live and have decent things. I doubt either has crime any where near here so that won t matter as much, i am looking for diversity and for a career I m hoping for science. That is sorta my main flaw with Seattle, I don t want a computer career.I ve already researched a lot on Seattle but I ve seen where people like Portland better because it is a bit more laid back. Just HOW much more laid back, where I am now is so laid back we don t get ANYTHING done is this crappy city so I am trying to avoid being in a slow boring state like Virginia. I have a feeling that if or when I move I won t get a chance to visit first, I know its not the smartest thing but as long as I AM able to move I ll take that over being stuck here. So in general should I expect Portland to be faster than Richmond va?
I d say overall the vibe in Portland is a bit younger, a bit less business and more arts and music . Portland has the advantage of there being no sales tax. Seattle has the advantage of having no state income tax. Both have easy access to the outdoors and boating, skiing, hiking and the like. In my opinion, the neighborhoods within Portland are a bit better defined. Traffice is definately better in the Portland area, and they have figured out mass transit better than Seattle has.There is a biotech industry in both cities (perhaps a bit stronger in Seattle), so if your science career can shift in that direction, that would be a possibility in both towns.Diversity in the northwest doesn t look like diversity in Richmond VA. About 70% of the population is white, 7 or 8% black, 25% or so Asian. There is a growing hispanic population in the Seattle area. I would presume similar numbers in Portland. Mixed race couples are common. Both metropolitan areas are pretty strongly democratic, and tolerant of different religions and races.Personally, I d be happy in either city. I m in the Seattle area now because of my and my husband s jobs, but we d be OK in Portland as well.
if you re tired of not getting anything done in your city go with Seattle. I love Portland but it s a pretty laid-back lazy city. I have never been to Richmond VA but the way you describe it it sounds a lot like Portland.
I d go w/ Portland. I ve never lived there but visited both cities a few times. Traveling seems to be easier in Portland and the people are way nicer.