how do you feel about the influx of people relocating to portland?

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Permalink Reply by Lorri E. on November 21, 2009 at 10:39am

Here's my two cents. People decide to move to a new city for lots of reasons. Sometimes they have a new job, sometimes they just want a change, or they have done their research and have found the city they know would be a good fit to their lifestyle. Portland offers an amazing quality of life--not for everyone, certainly, but there are many great things about this city and area of the country. When the economy is tough, or when change comes along, people are going to have their opinions about how these changes impact their own life. When there are few free jobs, for instance, some may feel that "newcomers" into their area are just more competition. So, they may resent anyone who comes along because they feel they were here first. And, then there is the real estate market--several years back there was a huge boom and increase in home prices in Portland, and many people moved here from higher cost-of-living areas, such as California, and because Portland home prices seemed relatively cheap in comparison, inadvertently drove up the local home prices. Suddenly families could no longer easily afford to buy their first home, or sell their home and move into a new one, because there was a huge leap in home prices. Again, there are some people here who will tell you they resent the hell out of "Californians", or anyone else who moves here and shakes up the balance. Generally, when things are good--people don't like change...especially when it impacts them in such a personal way (jobs, homes, economy).

Personally, I don't feel this is a huge issue--there are opinionated people on all sides on every topic imaginable. I have never felt unwelcome in Portland, and most people I think would continue to say that the people here are some of the most welcoming and friendly you will meet anywhere. Are you going to get attitude from a select few people? Sure...you probably would get attitude no matter where you moved though.

I've only ever heard a few people say to someone they are meeting: "Oh, you're from California!" with a look of disgust. But honestly, anyone lacking manners to say that to someone they are just meeting (making them feel unwelcome) is probably not someone you are going to befriend anyway. I wouldn't worry about it too much. But, that's just my opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Higgins on November 23, 2009 at 6:08pm

Hi there,

I agree with Lorri....It really seems that nearly everyone you meet is from somewhere else. That said, I don't think there is knee-jerk "anti" attitude toward newcomers. Most people don't move here if its not a fit for them-- the city has an overwhelming "personality" that just doesn't seem like its for everyone. I really wouldn't worry too much about it. ;-)

Where are you coming from and what made you choose Portland?

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