Moving to Portland

already here!

2008-06-27T10:26:38Z

I'm quite thankful I found this community. I just moved here about 6 months ago from St. Petersburg Florida. I sympathize with the stress of a new city and unfamiliar territory. Don't freak out, it is extremely affordable, and a wonderful city to be in- especially if you are found of good beer, culture, art, good food, and an active community. I have however found that in my particular work field (the service industry) that it is a bit difficult to find a job. But the economy is so fucked these days that's probably not unusual in a lot of cities! I am still a bit scarce for friends, so am interested in meeting people! Goodluck future portland comers!

moving2portland @ 2007-09-05T19:49:00

2007-09-06T02:50:14Z

i just moved here a few weeks ago to go to school and to be with my bf. the school thing isnt working out yet so i need new friends. :] anyone? i live in beaverton.

hello... neighbor?

2007-08-03T14:56:09Z

Hope this is appropriate...

My boyfriend and I are moving to Portland sometime after Thanksgiving 2007 (it keeps getting bumped back, raaarrrgh), and we'd just like to acquaint ourselves with local artists, as new friends, collaborators, or even just to tap a few folks with some practical questions. If you live in the area, we would love your advice on housing, getting around, frugal living, arts organizations, galleries open to submissions, etc.

I lived there briefly after college - anyone here remember Gracie's Birdcage, or The Compound warehouse studio/squatter's hive? - and am eager to move back, but I imagine it's changed... last I heard, Zoobomb is still careening through traffic once a month and Reading Frenzy is hanging on by a thread.

It's still under construction, but you can see some of my stuff on this website. Even though I went to school for photography, that experience pretty much sucked all the joy out of the medium, and now I do mixed media/collage stuff and paint. Right now I'm really into making dodgy wee beasties out of ceramics and polyclay, which has me thinking about getting a second degree in animation.

Looking forward to hearing from you....
~Mrrranda

[cross-posted to pdx_artists and portlandartists]

Just what I was looking for!

2007-07-22T02:22:52Z

I'm really excited to find a community for other people who are moving/have moved to Portland! I'm waiting to hear back from my company for a possible job transfer to be with my boyfriend and can't wait to make the cross-country move.

I just joined the community and figured I'd say hi. :D I plan to read through all of the archived entries for more information about moves to Portland soon. Thanks for having such a great community!

another "help me find blank" post

2007-04-17T16:28:31Z

So my girlfriend and I are moving to Portland, from Oklahoma, in a couple of weeks and we're trying to find a clean, safe, and significantly cheap place to stay for a week or two while we're waiting for our stuff to be shipped to us and we look for a more permanent place to live. We've looked into a couple of places, but we're hoping to have a few more options and make a reservation pretty quick. Any help would be appreciated!

Hello

2007-02-21T07:48:41Z

Hello all. I've decided to move to Portland about a year ago, some things happened to delay it but I am moving as soon as April is over. I have a roommate lined up so that's a lot of stress off of me. I just need to work on job hunting for the first time in over 7 years. So that's a little scary.

Not much to tell really.

I'm into photography and im hoping to find some people willing to be models for me. Plants are great but I'd love to work with something I can talk to who can understand and reply to me.

That's about it.

Links that helped us when we moved...

2007-01-02T05:30:04Z

My husband and I have officially passed the 7 month mark of living here. We moved here from Ohio and have not regretted it once. I thought I'd pass along a few links that were very helpful for us. It took us awhile to find home, but we did....so if you're getting frustrated, we understand!

http://www.portlandhostel.org/ (a good place to stay while visiting or passing through and very cheap!)

http://www.pdxguide.org (Zinester's Guide to Portland)

http://www.brooklyn-neighborhood.org/index.cfm (Our neighborhood's website, if you're looking in the SE)

http://web.pdx.edu/~nac/pdxdirtcheap/ (Dirt Cheap Guide to Portland)

http://portland.apartments.com (It's a place to start)

http://www.portlandmercury.com/ (local alternative paper, check the classifieds for jobs & apartments)

http://www.redandblackcafe.com/ (worker collective cafe...our second home. go here for good connections and info)

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/job.pl (Powell's Books job postings...we both work here and they post jobs quite often since people are always moving up in the company.)

http://www.peoples.coop/ (The best co-op in the SE, they also have a community board and offer lots of free classes to their members!)

http://www.trimet.org (The local public transportation website. We sold our car when we came out here and have gotten around fairly easily by bus and train. Check here for directions to and from.)

moving2portland @ 2006-11-09T13:16:00

2006-11-09T19:16:42Z

I've never been to the Northwest corner of the country, but I'm coming anyway. I lived for 4½ years in Minneapolis (where I'd never been before I moved there, also), and left in August to roam around. I passed thru Black Rock City, Reno, San Francisco, Sacramento, Indiana, Chicago & finally Madison

I desparately needed a new scene. I need to be in some sort of art group, or band or something. I need a city w/ real street performers, &c. Few people in Mpls will have anything to do w/ strangers, and many of the more open people I'd met were visiting from Portland. I'm a rather eccentric type, and midwesterners (including the youth) tend to avoid me. I'm staying in the much friendlier Madison, but I'm leaving next weekend. I have no place to stay or job, but I'll get by in time. I made it very well doing the same thing in Mpls, years ago.

I'm hoping Portland is like a larger version of Madison. Anyone out there from either Mpls or Madison?

Moving to Portland, Oregon at the end of the month [November]

2006-11-09T06:21:34Z

Hi everyone!

My name is Dusty and I'm moving BACK to Portland at the end of this month. I was born in Oregon but left when I was three years old for a stint in WA, then KS, and then AZ for the past 21 years! I've re-visited 6 times in the past 4 years, the last time for fmaily reasons of my dad going in for surgery and my grandmother passing away. While there, I just felt a pull to come back, so I put in for a job transfer and am leaving Phoenix on November 30, 2006. I miss the rain and the colors, and definately the changing of the seasons.

I'm a systems designer to pay the bills but in my free time I write [I actually finished my first novel recently] and I am an avid photographer who also develops his own black and white film. I'm also an avid movie go-er and I love being outdoors. I read quite a bit and game from time to time. Actually, there's a lot I like to do but...I don't want this to sound like one of those personal ads, hahahaha!

I'm leaving behind friendships of 5 to 17 years, so it will take some adjusting...that and not knowing anyone outside of immediate and extended family...

I'm just looking to hang out and meet new people, so, If anyone likes a good cup of coffee...well, tea for me...and good conversation, please let me know; I'll be dying for some social interraction after about the first week.

~Dusty

moving2portland @ 2006-10-25T16:31:00

2006-10-25T23:33:40Z

Hi, I'm moving to Portland in about two months from the San Francisco area. I have visited four times. I have a job lined up for part-time work and will need to find something to fill in my other hours. I chose this city because of an educational opportunity. I'm a little stressed about finding a place to stay once I get there. Any advice for a transplant?

moving2portland @ 2006-10-20T22:23:00

2006-10-21T04:46:14Z

Hello,
my boyfriend and I are planning on moving to Portland from Utah. I've been looking at apartments/jobs for a while now, but I found a website today that had testimonials and such and it turned out that every apartment I liked was considered horrible...Noise complaints, staff not willing to fix things, pool dirty...you know.

So I was wodering if there was any nice places that anyone could tell me about. Especially where the walls aren't paper thin. Everything else I think I could handle fine.
Any help would be great.

I'd also like to get to know a few people before I move there if anyone wants to add me.

Thanks in advance!

p.s. sorry if there's a lot of misspelled words, my keboard is typing like three letters at a time. haha

-Lisha/

moving2portland @ 2006-10-07T13:01:00

2006-10-07T18:03:25Z

the boyfriend and i move in about 5 months, and he is freaking out now. he has convinced himself that everything is insanely expensive, and that we'll never find jobs.
...anyone have any good news to share so that i can point to some positives? hearing all the bad news is making my stress almost unmanagable. :(

New

2006-10-01T15:39:19Z

Hoping to move this spring... from Greenville, DE.

I'm looking into jobs right now on Monster.com, and I'll see what I can get. Apartments on Craig's List look promising.

I haven't got that much money, but I know if I sell everything I can replace it all once I get to Portland. How would I go about doing that, though? I mean... EVERYTHING. I'm not going to list it all separately, and this area isn't really a yard sale community. Everyone's a snob here.

Also, I have 3 cats, and 2 mice. I figure I could carry the cats in 2 carriers (two are wee) but as for the mice I don't know.

Obviously will have to sell my furniture too. And my car.

I really don't know where to start!

Apartments/studios/duplexes for rent?

2006-07-27T05:18:31Z

So my husband and I moved out here from Ohio in May and we've been subletting since then. The sublet is up at the end of the month, but we can't seem to jump on top of rental properties fast enough. (Either that or no one calls us back.)

Where else besides Craigslist and local newspapers can we check for places for rent? Do you see any "for rent" signs out your window right now?

We're looking for studios/apartments/duplexes/house shares up to $700 that allow two indoor cats. We'd prefer the SE, but can go a little into the NE or downtown (I work at the Powell's in Beaverton and take the bus there, so I don't want to move too far away).

Thank you!

Renting a house?

2006-07-27T00:08:02Z

Hi-

New here...and looking for a one or two bedroom HOUSE to rent, in the North or the Northeast. Closer in is better, but we are somewhat flexible about the nieghborhood.

We've tried all the regular forums (ie craigslist, ww, daily papers, etc) but not had a lot of luck.

We can spend up to 1000 bucks, (or 800 for a one bedroom).

Anyone of have any suggestions of places, sites etc to try? Our biggest concern is having access to some kind of green/outdoor space, so we will consider a duplex or even an apartment building if there was a nice sized balcony and or a gardeny courtyard or someplace like that.

We don't smoke and don't have any pets!

Surely someone must want tenants like this! Any suggestions?

Thanksthanksthanksthanksthanksthanksthanksthanks.

Did I mention thanks?

moving2portland @ 2006-07-26T16:35:00

2006-07-26T16:35:51Z

turns out the boy and i are moving to portland sooner than expected -- next semester or so.
now, my question is: are there any areas of town that we should try to avoid living in? what are some good ones, bad ones, decent ones?

Moving to PDX on May 31 from Ohio

2006-05-25T05:03:59Z

My husband, John, and I are booked on a flight May 31 with our two cats from Lakewood, Ohio to Portland, Oregon. We decided to move there because John's old band would tour through that area a lot and he loved Portland. We took a vacation there in March, fell in love and promptly started making plans to move.

We're selling most of our possessions off to fund the trip, we're subletting a room for two months until we find an apartment, and we still don't have jobs. But we know this is what we're supposed to do.

I knit, so I'm hoping to find some cool knitting groups to join. I have a job interview with Powell's bookstore in Beaverton on June 1, so I'm crossing my fingers. John still doesn't have any definite leads, but we're still excited.

:)
Clara

On the Move

2006-05-16T01:33:08Z

My girlfriend the_xtina and I are moving to Portland in the beginning of June. I just picked up a great apartment on 32nd near Hawthorne, and we're both terribly excited. Now, we just need ot get a job for her, and start socializing.

Anyone have any good suggestions, or want to get coffee with some recent East Coast transplants?

Coming from New Orleans

2006-05-10T21:15:59Z

My finacee and I are contmplating a move to Portland and need a native's eye view of what to expect. We live in New Orleans and unless things improve soon we will have to leave. There is also the fact that Hurricane Season returns to us on June 1st so a backup plan is required. My fiancee works in the arts (Preparator for a University art collection) and is a printmaker/painter/multimedia artist. I am a writer, game developer, and event producer who (like most New Orleanians) also has many years of fine dining and high volume restaurant experience.

We are looking for somewhere progressive, safe, and artist/geek friendly. We are both cyclists and do not own or plan to own a car. Another twist is thta we have five cats, none of whom are optional. Any tips, data, links, or advice will be most appreciated. If we end up there I will even cook some real cajun food for the folks who help make it happen.

XPosted to Portalnd, DamnPortanlders, Moving2Portland

Jobs

2006-04-13T17:13:13Z

This is probably more directed towards people who have moved.

Here's my story. I will shoot for all the sympathy I can get if it helps me. I'm 21 and moved back home to help my momma. Her and my father are getting divorced. Thinga haven gotten pretty ugly. In March I got my dream job. I was working on a campaign to end animal testing in cosmetics. It was great and I loved it so much.

Saturday, my mom was committed for cutting herself. She'd gone to court with my dad earlier that week and this really set her off. She'd called me about three times every morning. Everytime my boss came in, there was me holding the phone away from my ear while my mom yelled at me. Then she'd come in and I'd be looking for apartments because I knew I had to get away from my mom.

I got fired. And I know why and I wish there was something I could have done. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. This job was quite honestly my first love. Basically my boss said it seems like my head is elsewhere, which is true. To solve this dilemma of my brain being stuck on my crazy ass family, I'm moving to Portland. I've heard wonderful things about Portland and I need a change of scene. I've lived in Sac my whole life and it's bringing me down.

So, now for the question. I need a jobby (I know. Everyone does, but I need one more than they do). As soon as I have a a job, I'm out of here. Does anyone know of any jobs in the Portland area that are with a non-profit making $24,000 a year? I don't have many qualifications that would make me the most awesome candidate on paper, but I am a hard worker. I will do anything from data entry to activism and community outreach. I just need a job.

Tell me something

2006-03-28T20:10:01Z

On Sunday My boyfriend and I are moving to Portland from San Diego, CA. We are moving in to some apartments near NE Halsey and 107th street. Can anyone tell me about this area? I have looked at crime maps, google earth etc. what I really want to know is do any of you live around there? Is it considered a fun, not much crime type place to live? Not so good place to live? Whats around there as far as bars, clubs, comic stores, clithing stores tattoo places, eateries etc? Sorry if this is annying or innappropriate if you think it needs to be romoved just tell me. Thanks!

Neighborhoods

2006-03-21T14:35:15Z

I'm going to be moving to Portland from Philadelphia this summer, and I have an apartment hunting question: are there neighborhoods in Portland that are unsafe? People moving to Philly really have to be careful, because if you pick an address at random you stand a chance of ending up in a really scary area, and I wouldn't want to make that mistake when moving west.

Thanks for any advice! Portland looks fantastic, and I wouldn't be surprised if the answer to my question was no. :)

[x-posted to portland]

moving2portland @ 2006-03-08T12:36:00

2006-03-08T18:46:40Z

Hello,
I've just been accepted to the Portland State Master's program in sociology, so my partner and I may be moving there over the summer.

I have a few questions you all might be able to help with. (I am researching these elsewhere but I figured, hey, there's a comm just for this purpose!)

First, I am going to have funding of an indeterminate amount probably in the realm of $20k/year, depending. (I will know more in a week or two.) My partner is a librarian with his MLS, so his earning potential is at least 2-2.5 times that. We figure we can afford up to $1000 a month rent together. (We also have a comfortable savings.) Where should we look for apartments? We want to rent, prefer to be on upper floors (third or better), and we have one declawed, indoor cat. We don't need a lot of perks, but a dishwasher would be a very nice feature. We are planning to move in mid to late July, most likely. We'll be visiting in a couple of weeks to see the sights, and hopefully find the neighborhood we want, so suggestions for where to look would be most helpful so we can use our time most effectively. So far I've heard Northwest Portland or East are good... Obviously mututally exclusive (and quite vague) advice.

Second, does anyone have tips or advice we will absolutely need to know before we move? Or before we decide? My friends and acquaintances all seem uniformly to love Portland, but we live in Kansas now so I think several rings of Hell might also seem pretty snazzy by comparison. ;) We don't mind rain and clouds, and we're very happy that we won't have to suffer through any more 100-degree summers. Portland is much larger than our current city, but we are both well experienced travelers and have been to big places many times.

Okay, I hope that explains our situation reasonably well. Advice is welcomed!

moving2portland @ 2006-02-05T21:17:00

2006-02-06T05:17:44Z

Well I start my job & apartment search in earnest in one month. I move in June. Any suggestions on job & apartment search resources. I have a small measure of an idea, but locals' opions are greatly appreciated. Thanx :)

Moving to Portland

2006-01-28T21:32:37Z

Hello I will be moving to Portland from San Diego, CA on April 2nd. I will be attending graduate school there and working full time. I recently took a trip t here and everyone told us that the East side is less expensive and a better place to live. We did some driving around and it looks like maybe we dont want to live east beyond 60th street or so. Is this the wrong attitude to have? Can anyone here tell me which are the better neighborhoods of Portland? We were looking forward to rent under $600, walking to bars, having friendly people around etc. Some of my interests are going to shows, tattoos, record stores etc. Anything could hellp you guys! thanks.

Moving to Portland

already here!

moving2portland @ 2007-09-05T19:49:00

hello... neighbor?

Just what I was looking for!

another "help me find *blank*" post

Hello

Links that helped us when we moved...

moving2portland @ 2006-11-09T13:16:00

Moving to Portland, Oregon at the end of the month [November]

moving2portland @ 2006-10-25T16:31:00

moving2portland @ 2006-10-20T22:23:00

moving2portland @ 2006-10-07T13:01:00

New

Apartments/studios/duplexes for rent?

Renting a house?

moving2portland @ 2006-07-26T16:35:00

Moving to PDX on May 31 from Ohio

On the Move

Coming from New Orleans

Jobs

Tell me something

Neighborhoods

moving2portland @ 2006-03-08T12:36:00

moving2portland @ 2006-02-05T21:17:00

Moving to Portland

another "help me find blank" post