Learn me: Pacific Northwest

Ditchdigger wrote: Typical June pollen map. That red dot is Eugene. My town

That stinks man.. I didn't realize that.. Seattle is very mild compared to the east coast.

If you find yourself in Tacoma, we've got an extra bedroom (and an air mattress, I think).

That being said, job market:

My wife was looking for an office job starting in January. She has no education and had a 4-year gap in her work history since we lived over seas, but she probably sent out the better part of 50 resumes before she got a job. It's part time, but better than nothing.

It actually worked out for the better. Now she's going to finish her degree, and since minimum wage over here is dang near $10, we can afford child care while she goes to school/work.

So good times,

-Bill

I'm from Seattle, but I've lived in Portland for a dozen years or so. It's got a good balance of cost of living for a largish town. But it does have some quirks. Citizens don't want fluoride in the water, largest city without it. Watch Portlandia. A lot of locals don't like the show, maybe it's a bit too accurate. Great coffee, great beer great racing. The local road racing track, and drag strip is actually a city park. During the week in the summer it's used for bicycle racing. Other great road race tracks a few hours away. A great motorsports community. Hour and a half drive to the mountains, desert, or the coast.

When I travel, once a month or so I notice how few Subarus, Prius, Volvos and interesting cars there are in other cities.

Great bicycling community too. I commute a few days a week on my bike. But be tolerant of militant, bearded, fixie riding, microbrew skinny jean commuters.

I also did not "get" Portlandia until I lived here.

Now, it's one of my favorite shows.

Dear Neighbor,

A pile of junk with a rainbow flag draped over it, is not Art. Also.. My children belong in the city as much as you do... Skinny jeans are for chicks.

Russ

My wife and I love vacationing in Portland.

We took my truck last time. Apparently, I'm the only one who drives a crew-cab F-250 in town, I managed to terrify a few folks who don't understand a large turning radius and why you shouldn't be poking the nose of your car that far over the line into the intersection.

It also seems to be the land of bad drivers in rusty blue Volvos.

Other than that, we love the place. Great food, great beer, nice people, a kickass book store and lots of stuff to do.

If I were forced to move to America, Portland would be at the top of the very short list.

Shawn

I used to have a rusty "beer bottle brown" 1977 Chevrolet Scottsdale (4wd) I would occasionally take into Seattle. That thing twisted more heads than a cordless screwdriver.

Lots of horrified stares on those trips by mothers of small children, hippies, yuppies, etc.

Hungary Bill wrote: I used to have a rusty "beer bottle brown" 1977 Chevrolet Scottsdale (4wd) I would occasionally take into Seattle. That thing twisted more heads than a cordless screwdriver. Lots of horrified stares on those trips by mothers of small children, hippies, yuppies, etc.

In Portland, hipster wants your truck to drive to the design studio in the Pearl. It compliments his beard, sturdy glasses, western shirt, and truck stop cap.