Portland Primer

After more than a year in Portland, I have come to observe a few things that are worth sharing.

The city is home to over 500,000 people, but that number swells to around 2.2 million when you consider the sprawling suburban areas that radiate out. Commute-traffic aside, Portland retains a very small town feel that probably aggravates some and delights others. I am still in the latter camp at the moment...

One constant I keep coming back to regarding Portland is how it has adapted and in a sense, thrived in the shadows. Seattle, the larger neighbor to the North has garnered all the attention with, job markets (Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, Amazon, Costco. . .) tourism, media and notoriety. Portland remains small in every way by comparison. After the Timber industry really took a hit in the 1970's--and continues a steady decline, the city has not found a suitable replacement. And so, while other places roared back with real estate developments or financial services, Portland was left to its own devices. As a result, it learned to live lean and support the people within.

There is a strong independent spirit here. Local businesses rely on and support each other in a way I have not seen anywhere else. The Mom & Pop hardware stores are still around here, complete with someone behind the counter who actually knows what you are talking about and have the parts to help out. My favorite personal touch is the free popcorn in self-serve machines--like a friendly butter & salt laden volcano staying warm and active all the time.

Another by-product of the stagnant growth are the lovely old neighborhoods. Block after block of beautiful craftsman homes sit beneath healthy canopies of Dutch Elms, Maple and Fir trees. Were there a real estate revival in the 70's and 80's here, those homes would be stucco apartments and condos--buildings that hardly retain much charm and aesthetic. And so the local business owners were able to run a small business, own a modest home in the city and support the local economy and community.

The city planning in Portland is something of a legend in this country (don't expect a Hollywood movie on it anytime soon). Somehow, Portland had the ability and foresight to lay out some very (at the time) radical and bold planning strategies 25 years ago. The fruit is finally ripening with amazing bicycle access all across the city, an ever-expanding light rail system and a country-wide recognition of being a city that has practiced "smart growth." There is an abundance of green spaces, parks and quick access to the wild places that make this area so beautiful.

Contrary to popular belief, its not all roses here. We still encounter lousy traffic during rush hour, have our own urban sprawl issues, need to put more bodies on the light rail system, deal with sewer run-off into the Willamette river in the rainy season. Real Estate prices are rising at a rate that is chasing people further and further out. The unemployment rate in Oregon is above 10%. There are some disgruntled longtime locals who have to tolerate rude hipster bicycle punks and obnoxious Eco-snobs stalking the streets (and bicyclists) in the latest hybrid vehicle.

Admittedly, it has been far too long since my last Blog posting. I am very excited to get back into writing again, share some stories, observations, take photographs, share information and experiences to whomever wishes to look. Stay tuned. Thanks for reading!