MattOR

Moved to Portland with my USC wife 18 years ago. Aside from a couple of stints overseas and on the east coast we have been here most of that time and absolutely love it. Compared to the UK I have found the cost of living lower, salaries higher, and the people generally friendlier. Plus the scenery and outdoor opportunities are among the best you will find anywhere. It does rain a lot between October and June but you can usually count on 3 months of uninterrupted warmth and sunshine in the summer.

lansbury

I guess it depends what you call a lot. Maybe a lot in a couple of those months. I have a season ticket for Beaver football and I doubt we get rained on that much at games in October or November. When we lived in England we used to visit here every October for at least 2 and sometimes 3 weeks, and very rarely did we get a rainy October. Usually when it does rain it isn't a heavy downpour that stops you getting out and doing things. Now what is a downer is the grey skies in the winter months.

a_J_Martin

Lansbury's description of the weather matches my experience more so than MattOR's.

transatlantic_chap

Thanks for these -- all very interesting/helpful.

transatlantic_chap

(Just thought I'd give this a bump...)

canarybats

i live in portland. Moved from London in November 2013.

It's great here, lots of great restaurants, bars, nightlife, music scene. Lots of people seem to be moving here at the moment so it's easy to make friends as you are all in the same boat. We are early 30s, no kids so I can't comment on schools or anything like that.

I guess in comparison to London, life feels a lot easier here. We have a much bigger house (renting currently), car, big fridge...;-) It's really easier to do stuff on the weekends and there is a lot to do if you like the outdoors! But seriously, last weekend we got up and did chores at home, had some food with friends, went to ikea, got home with all the stuff and it was only 2pm. I mean that's a full weekend's work in London!

Reading through this thread, I'm excited about the curry house in Bend as I'm absolutely DESPERATE to eat a good curry. There aren't any here (decent ones).

I guess for me, the only negatives are: limited art and theatre and terrible shopping (I am a London girl at heart)!

transatlantic_chap

That's great to hear -- do you think you'll stay or is this just a short-term move? I'm interested to hear your take on the people too: have you made friends easily? Are there certain characteristics that you like about Portlanders or that you miss about Brits? Whereabouts in PDX are you living, and what do you like about your neighbourhood?

canarybats

Visas/Greencards permitting, we would like to stay here for about 8-10 years.

We've made friends really easily. It has helped that my husband's work employ a lot of expats who are all very welcoming. Having said that, we have also met a few locals and other Americans who have moved here and aren't connected through his work. They are all really friendly, chilled out etc etc.

I'm living in South East. It's fun. Lots of great restaurants and close to downtown.

I cycle around every day. We only have one car. I love that about Portland - it's so bike friendly.

I've only been here a short time and that was through the winter and we already love it!

Oh you should watch portlandia, it's obviously exaggerated but seriously based in fact!!

transatlantic_chap

I love Portlandia -- I get that it is a comedic exaggeration, but I still like the picture of the city it paints. Plus Fred & Carrie are just naturally very funny people.

It's interesting that you don't mention the weather. Do you find it pretty similar to the UK?

transatlantic_chap

(Incidentally, any other UK > Oregonians feel free to weigh in...)

a_J_Martin

Here's the average temps and rainfall in Portland and London...

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Lo...London/GB.aspx

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Po...Oregon/US.aspx

transatlantic_chap

How's this summer been, weather-wise?

lansbury

Hot in the 80s and 90s

canarybats

It was 38 on Monday!!!! I have literally been roasting in my wooden house. Temperatures have cooled this week a bit thankfully!

kimilseung

Its so funny, because its so reflective of contemporary middle class PNW lifestyles.

I live in Portlands big brother to the North, but cringe in recognition sometimes watching Portlandia.