Wondering what Portland's like?

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Specializes in Postpartum/WBN.

My boyfriend is graduating from grad school in May is looking at a few companies in Portland. We've never been there but have heard good things, so I'm looking for a few honest, insider opinions.

We've been to San Francisco numerous times and that is another option we're looking into. We love the more temperate weather (we're from the midwest--sweltering summers and freezing winters). We also love all the outdoor activities, the beautiful views of the bay/ocean, accessibility of public transportation to name a few things. I've heard Portland has a number of these things as well. Our biggest concern with San Francisco is the cost of living and housing.

Any input I get would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Vanessa

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry/PCU, SNF.

Weather's a little more predictable here than San Francisco, I believe. But compared to the Midwest, it's not that bad at all. It does rain here, a lot. Finding the sun in winter is a bit difficult, but there are moments. Cost of living-wise, we're less than San Francisco, our housing market is still strong - but the talking heads are saying that;s changing. Economy is decent and seems to be a good smattering of jobs out there for nurses...that can be difficult at times though. Public transit is one of our big things here. I haven't driven to work more than about 3 times in the last 9 months, totally dependent on transit. Unfortunately, I haven't been to San Francisco in many years so have nothing to compare to. And Portlanders are pretty outdoor minded on a whole. It's not as granloa-hippy as it once was, but still is in many ways. But I live this town.

Good luck!

Tom

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Specializes in Postpartum/WBN.

What is it like as a nurse? I've heard that Washington as a state does not treat it's nurses well. Is Oregon any better? Are there good hospitals with good nurse-patient ratios? Unions?

We're also interested in buying a house in the next few years. What's an average house like in Portland? The best areas to live?

Thanks again!

Vanessa

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Specializes in ICU.

My wife is a NICU Nurse at Legacy Emanuel and she enjoys it very much - They are one of the few non-union units. That is about all I can say about the work environment...

As for average home prices, a google search brought this up: http://www.dqnews.com/ZIPOR.shtm

My real estate friends say that the market has slowed, so there is a lot of inventory - but prices have not dropped too much. Portland is one of three markets that is still growing. Like most markets good neighborhoods cost more, but the right place depends on what you guys are looking for... Good luck on your search.

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hi. new member here. i was looking on how to apply for nclex for the state of oregon. hope you guys could help me find what i am looking for. tnx

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry/PCU, SNF.

Like any state, you just ahve to go to the Board of Nursing. Here's the link to the Oregon BON licensure page: http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/RN-LPNlicensure.shtml

Best of luck!

Tom

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Portland is so beautiful; my heart skips a beat just dwelling on its beauty. The weather is frankly odd. As my wife's cousin explained, just wait five minutes and it'll change. For example, today my wife picked me up from work downtown and we traveled to maplewood (SW Portland); we hit sleet and rain and entered our neighborhood with few clouds and plenty of sun...crazy!

I lived in Bakersfield, California for six years prior to coming here to live the week before last. Believe you me, I don't miss Bakersfield, for the exception of my working buddies.I found work at Providence Portland Medical Center. We bought a lovely home 1/2 block from a school that rates a 9 out of 10 for our daughter.

I lived in Oakland for 10 years and travelled to SF for work. Portland is certainly a lot cleaner! Of course cooler, but you can adapt if you are from the midwest; the cold here is not quite so sever as the heartland.

Cheers and Good Luck to you!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

This is actually VERY unusual weather for us, TeleRNer........in fact, I've never seen anything quite like it in the 20 years I've lived in the Willamette Valley. We've had a colder and wetter-than-usual winter, but by this time it's normally in the upper 50s and 60s, and we certainly don't get four days of on-and-off snow/sleet/hail/rain/ice in late March.

It was really weird on Friday when I was out in town, and the wind suddenly began to whip up a gale and the snow to fly almost sideways against a backdrop of cherry blossoms........with the sun shining brightly through the clouds!

I'm not a city girl, but Portland does have a lot to offer the upwardly mobile professional. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

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I can honestly tell you that the Portland area has the most beautiful and comfortable "living package" that I know of. I am from Coeur d' Alene, Idaho which is also a beautiful area...but it gets much colder and much hotter there.

I own a home on almost 3 acres in Boring, OR (about 45 mins east of downtown, at the foothills of Mt Hood). I bought it 3 years ago and it wasn't THAT expensive...my mortgage is $1,600. There are definitely deals to be had on real estate, especially now that it is a "buyer's market"

In the winter I can drive 30 mins up the mountain for wonderful snowboarding, skiing, sledding. In the summer I can drive to many places on the mountain for lakeside or riverside camping. In the summer I can drive 10 mins....YES 10 mins to the beautiful clackamas river and float, swim, fish...I can drive 2 hours to the beautiful oregon coast, I can drive 90 mins to the central oregon high desert. The opportunities for outdoor recreation are endless!

Our weather is mild and, generally enjoyable. Yes, it does rain a lot in the winter....but you know what?- it rarely snows in the city; maybe 3-4 days of snow a year. Our summers are nice, not super humid and there aren't many days above 90-92 degrees.

The city is very "green" in the sense of conservation, recycling, renewable energy etc. We have a wonderful public transportation system, you don't really NEED a car here....even out in the sticks where I live I am connected to public transit only a half a mile from my house. We were voted a couple of years back the most bike friendly city and the most dog friendly city. It is not uncommon to see many people who bike as their primary transportation, even to work. At the hospital I volunteer at there are tons of employees who bike to work, there are bike racks everywhere and many of them are full.

The seattle area and the san francisco area are both beautiful as well, but seattle has more rain and san fran doesn't have as nice/hot of summers...and both are WAAAAY more expensive to live in.

I feel like the cost of living to wage ratio in Portland is very attractive compared with most other metro areas. IMO, Portland is the nation's best kept secret. :wink2:

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