Irn-bru

Ok, I know I slagged of Seattle in previous thread but to explain as stated I think the touristy bits aren't as nice as led to believe before coming here to live. But as stated real downtown is nice and definitely great nightlife but also as expected great cafe scene and if single can see why anyone would love to live downtown. It's not New York but definitely has a unique feel of it's own. The downside is so stupidly expensive but if after your research and feel you can afford to rent the apartment you like - I think you would enjoy it especially after what you have said in above quote. Also there is so many great and different things to do in a day out (which is the bit I like). So if skiing and outdoors pursuits are your thing and you enjoy spectacular natural beauty ( that's obviously not in Seattle, but very close to it), as well as city life. You probably could have it all here! And the high price you would pay to live here would be offset by no aircon bills
Sorry no help on Portland
I moved here last year without visiting it first. I have lived in Indy for a year and north Virginia for 2 yrs and it is very different from both - more liberal, independent thinking etc.

Desdemona

Seattle of course!! But then I'm biased

anotherlimey

Really there should be a poll, but only if he agrees to do as the poll results suggest

I would say Portland, it's far nicer in my opinion (but I've only visited); however there's probably not the business opportunities the OP wants.

Irn-bru

Thanks for cheering me up here in the PNF

Desdemona

Yep, I'd probably miss the seasons in So.Cal. At the same time, California is the only other state I'd ever consider moving to. I'd love to live in Monterrey and thereabouts or on the Big Sur.

Angry White Pyjamas

You're welcome.

PS It's a lovely day here in FLA...75f and clear blue skies. Sun factor around 5 or 6....and the forecast seems to be for more of the same in the foreseeable future.

Irn-bru

Sunny and 43 here. See not so different

Bob

Portland Maine, for Maine is probably the only city of 28 cities that resembles a city to be honest, it ain't bad, but a tad pricey by maine standards, and also parking is utterly shite out there, and zoned, so hours of fun in the winter, which to be brutally honest suck balls most of the time, this year has been an exception. The plus, well the Portland JetPort, airport is having the runway extended to legal length, so flights might get cheaper to rest of country from there, and there's a regular, and okay train service to Boston, which is only a couple to 3 hours away.
Schools are a bit shite to be honest as well unless you can stump for private, and universities, well there a bit shite unless you want to study nursing and forestry, which they are fab for and about it.
Property tax is one of the highest around, car insurance sucks balls, and running a car ain't cheap with registration costs etc....sales tax is good at 5% and not included with fresh foods.

That's my stump for maine, oh, and national parks aren't cheap, but well worth checking out, especially bar harbor, lovely area...and surperb seafood all over.

Jill

I have lived in both cities. Seattle is bigger, busier, more expensive and gets more rain. Probably more opportunities if you are single - but you would need a good income to make the most of it. Portland is like Seattle was 20 years ago. More laid back, granola and starbucks environment with affordable housing and great uncrowded outdoor opportunities. Didn't see anything about your occupation or work status. This should be the most important aspect for you as you will not enjoy either location if you are unemployeed.

Giantaxe

It also has more than its fair share of serial muderers as well, but I don't think that would put me off...

Anyway, perhaps a lot of people don't hate Britain for its wet weather? Or, if they do, they can see a diffierence between England's overcast/drizzle etc and the PNW's storms? Even with the latter's rainfall, I very much doubt it has as many overcast days as England does.

Btw, Oakland, CA has the same rainfall as London. It hardly means they have similar climates!

AdobePinon

Bob interpretation service, re: Portland, Maine

Pros:
- resembles a city
- this year has been an exception [didn't suck balls]
- runway being extended
- okay train to Boston
- sales tax is good at 5%

Cons:
- tad pricey
- parking utterly shite
- hours of [not] fun in the winter
- suck balls most of the time
- schools bit shite
- universities... bit shite
- property tax highest around
- car insurance sucks balls
- running a car ain't cheap [registration]

Summary: Portland, ME, sucks balls and is variably a bit shite to utter shite, but other than that it's a really great place to live.

Angry White Pyjamas

Avg cloudy/clear days for seattle per annum:

Clear: 71
Partly Cloudy:93
Cloudy/Overcast: 201

Mmm lovely almost 2 out of every 3 days is completely overcast.

http://www.cityrating.com/cityweather.asp?City=Seattle


Or for a more detailed picture of the dreariness:

http://www.wagoneers.com/UNIX/Seattle-weather.html

Bob

pretty much, but Portland is the social highlight to Maine, so that's another selling point

boardy

So AdobePinon, I guess that you are not crazy about the place.

I've been to Maine for the autumnal color-changing spectacle from Kennebunkport and up the coast to Bar Harbor. Portland (Maine) has been picked as one of the best places for relocation, but development is now being geared towards the wealthy or people in the lower income bracket. The main plus side for the city is that it is on East coast and close to Europe. I didn’t look into the university situation there, which is important for my future plans (as good ones foster eclectic and interesting neighborhoods).

And I know about the flies, the humidity, the abundant snow, the parking, the cold, the mud season, and the stereotypical Mainer, so at the moment Portland (Maine) is on the bottom of my “best places” list.

So Seattle is tops for serial murderers and suicide …………………. lovely. I am willingly to live with that (!), but will the traffic and cost of living outweigh the natural beauty and outdoor activities? I am looking into surrounding areas as an alternative.
irnbru4u: your description of Seattle is insightful and gives me a realistic feel for the place.

Overall, Portland (Oregon) is coming up trumps (based on your suggestions). I’ve heard elsewhere about the counter-culture, the homelessness (and aggressive panhandling), the drug problem, and the bad areas of the city. It may not be as bad as they say. And it looks like that it is offset by all the positive points?

I understand that I will need to spend some time in these places to get a true impression. But once again, being forewarned by posters who have spent time in these cities can save me an enormous amount of time and energy.

anotherlimey

I only visited Portland (OR) twice, and only once did I go into the city properly, but I don't recall seeing any homeless people.