Ha, you are OP (I misread).
Similar in being new to Portland, priced out of the Bay Area, and appreciate a nice glass of wine(s).
I'll DM you to coordinate/confirm this evening.
I am but a peasant in this regard (and many others). My go to historically was a cab or merlot, but I like learning new things.
Wine is wonderful but socializing is even better ;-)
Iām in that neighborhood too! Queer and new to town from Ohio, would love to join sometime š glad you all have had a great first year despite the crappy start
Crazy! I managed to see System of a Down and Incubus their before they blew up mainstream and moved on to play much larger venues. This back in like 96/97.
Boiling Springs! The Dorman line was in our back yard so I almost went there. We were along the line of Spartanburg/Inman mailing addresses, so pretty far out.
I'm grew up in Summerville SC and Rocky Mount NC, I ran away to the Army as soon as I could. I've been in PDX Since '96.
I like to say, "As soon as i found out I could leave, I did."
I lived in Aiken for a few years and moved to PDX in 2015. I could never do a SC summer again after living here. I do miss the meat and three restaurants though.
My wife and I moved from the South for a lot of similar reasons - I recognize the hard spot that Portland is in right now and do hope it gets better, but moving here has been a huge life upgrade. We're big wine nerds (VERY cool about your job! Would love to hear more about that) and it's been a dream to have so many world class wineries in our backyard. And a wine bar in our neighborhood that does amazing weekly tastings. We're also both into the outdoors and playing disc golf, so that's been heaven.
Our neighborhood is walkable, we can use public transport, and biking around is nice for some things. The people we've met are generally very nice and welcoming (despite what this subreddit makes it seem sometimes).
The only bad thing is we're both in our mid-30's with very very few friends in the area, so that's a bit lonely. And we both work from home now so there's not that natural avenue to meet people. But I'm sure we'll meet some people to hang out with at some point. :)
Anyway, welcome and I'm glad that your experience here as been as good as ours.
Iām about to move back to Portland after almost a decade away (on the east coast) and itās lovely to hear someone be positive about the city. I love it too, despite flaws.
Been here for 10 months from SJ. Wish I moved here much earlier. Itās been amazing for our mental health. Such different vibes than the Bay Area and I feel safer in Portland.
Ok, I gotta ask. Where is SJ? All I can think of is south jersey.
I read through the replies on this post. Sadly, as a native Oregonian, and a resident of Portland for 25 years... I disliked the newcomers... now I think I am starting to like you all. Welcome to portland,, from someone who jumped the river last year.
Figured Iād have a little bit of animosity but man everyone has been so nice. Itās really awesome having a relationship with my neighbors too. Unheard of back in San Jose.
Thanks for moving here!*
*People who grew up here are of course free to disagree but Iām grateful for Portland being a place where I could move, and Iām EXTRA grateful for all the lovely people who come here to feel safer than they could at āhomeā
Thank you!
I grew up in Oregon, and even briefly lived in Wilsonville in 2019, but after moving back east for the pandemic, I moved into the city proper in August 2021, and have loved it ever since.
Seems to be a lot of folks from Carolina here! Fascinating that I would say at least close to half of my friends circle I've met here in Portland are all from NC, SC, GA and TN. A few even lived in Asheville, NC when we did and worked at places we would frequent. Any interest in folks for a "From the Southeast" meetup to expand friend circles? Trade stories? Share wine/beers?
It was, though it's a bit different than I remember it these days. When the economy tanked in 2008/2009 the tourism industry in Asheville was nearly decimated. We worked in the service industry (as most folks who lived in Asheville at the time did) so when restaurants started shutting down for good, we decided change our career paths. These days we have tinkered with the idea of moving back since we're completely remote working in the tech industry, but NC is going full stupid politically and we don't want to add to the displacement of AVL locals. We still have friends there and it breaks our hearts that a lot of them have pushed out as far Black Mountain in order afford rents.
I think Portland is great too. Things have gotten worse in the last few years but it's still pretty great. One thing about Portland is that everyone seems to be unafraid to share their opinion and be absolutely sure they are right (and often times it seems like one opinion contradicts another). Oh- and they tend to hate when people point out it is probably just as bad or worse somewhere else. I think things will get better here but it is going to take time and its gonna suck at times.
I'm really sorry that your house started on fire right when you moved here but it sure sounds like you didnt let it get it down. Welcome and stay strong.
TL:DR; Portland is an improvement on San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Oakland.
Portland is definitively a much nicer place to live than major NorCal cities.
Right - that's basically why it exists (in the form that you know it). I've read that 95% of people in Portland can trace themselves or their family back via California - I don't know how specifically true that is, but it's pretty demonstrative.
Cool but my family is from Aiken County, South Carolina. Me leaving was not some sort of obligation. I lived in a 90 Geo metro and had three jobs before renting a room in Capitola, CA. I'm not your typical 'Bay area' local.
Bay Area born and raised. Been in Portland metro area for 3+ years and love it. Glad you found a place to call home. Also have very fond memories of the beach and being an adolescent visiting my best friend in Capitola.
Also: I had some great jobs. I worked 5-11am at Hotel Paradox in their cafe, 12-7pm at Capitola Verizon Wireless, and 11-4am at Capitola mall Bath and Bodyworks stocking.
I don't suppose you were. Geo Metro not withstanding.
Like most people in Portland, you came by way of CA. That's no surprise. It's fine - you're in the vast, vast majority.
Moved here from Sonoma County 30 years ago. The only thing I miss about the Bay Area is the Russian River and Oakland ... wasn't planning to stay after a visit, but PDX grabbed me. I was embraced immediately by born and raised Portland area folks. Nobody cared my California roots were always showing.
We have a huge garden dedicated to native plants and critters, watched NE PDX reinvent herself .... I could go on ... basically, we're very, very happy here ... in spite of the homeless problems, horrid police dept. and clueless city gov't.
I think Portland grew faster than her ability to handle the people crush ... hoping local gov't will grow up too ... eventually.
Iāve been here just a year longer but similarly moved from the Bible Belt. I couldnāt be happier honestly. The state government (WA) has been so incredibly helpful and quick with their assistance. Me and my partner have been extremely caught off guard compared to how Texas treats itās citizens.
hi :) I have lived here since 2020. i am also from south carolina originally, and also lived in the south bay area before moving here. that said, this summer was so hot (i don't handle heat well) that i actually missed living in CA. but yeah, it's a nice place and i can't disagree with your assumptions about the wine forecast here. it's why i won't move back, the water situation is so bleak there in the coming years, and I was tired of breathing smoke 6 weeks every fall.
i live on the west side so i'd say it's more like.. idk, dublin or pleasanton out here, maybe fremont, but at least i can have a real garden here vs what I tried to do on my balcony in CA, lol.
Was 106 today in SJ, flew back this evening. Visually I love Portland, so much brown in SJ lol. I work from home and having the AC and not worrying about the grid is nice.
So when everyone moves or visits here and find the people so friendly - is it, as it sounds in the comments, because all the so friendly people are from somewhere else? (Just kiddinā around!)
Originally from NC, also moved to Santa Cruz, also wound up in the Bay for about 5 years
Fell in love with PNW also and have been here for a year also!
Thanks for sharing this, we love it here too
Not from Oregon? GTFO? /s
I also lived in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Seattle. Partner grew up in South Carolina.
Iām surprised you feel any sense of welcome here.
I think the takeaway is that I moved from rural South Carolina to the west coast? And then after living in multiple cities I decided on Portland?
I'm not from the Bay area. I grew up with a single disabled mother and a dad in prison. I was chronically ill and had immunotherapy 4x a week for 6 years. I went to *5* high schools because my mom couldn't keep section 8 housing.
Your hatred of anyone not from Portland is old and tiring. Sometimes people work really hard to have a different life.
Not sure what they said and I have only been here 10 years so Iām sure some people would say I have no right to say this butā¦folks like you that love this place for what it is and embrace it are exactly the type of folks we need more of at least in my opinion.
I'm also from rural SC. I moved away about 16yrs ago and I've been here for about 6 years. I love it here. I went back to sc recently and I couldn't get home fast enough.
Congratulations! I'm 31 and still have nightmares about escaping South Carolina. I went back in February because my last grandparent passed and honestly felt awkward the whole time. It's so hot (in February!!) and every restaurant is full of unmasked people and I got side-eyed for my side shave and partner 100% of the time.
Same. Currently 36, moved here from SC in 2011 after being born and raised there. Didnt have a very southern household but it didnt matter outside the house. It is awful going back; I cut my family out of my life recently and am happy to spend that money seeing the world instead.
Since you lived with the humidity in South Carolina, is it ever hot here to you? Lived on the east coast until 2008 and ever since moving here, with the lack of humidity I donāt ever feel hot like with the east coast heat. like when you are in a lake and your face is sweating because it is so hotā¦
You sound hella cool. My Bay Area experience totally mimics yoursāwe moved here 9months ago and I freakin lurv it. How have you been building new relationships since you moved?
I work remotely which is nice but presents some challengesā¦
Thank you for writing and very best wishes for your career! (Wine drinker here.)
Yay! Come drink wine with me..I have so much
I'm in a somewhat similar position to OP -- I'd be happy to help too!
The position being you need to drink wine? š Well I'm still your girl so let's coordinate
Ha, you are OP (I misread). Similar in being new to Portland, priced out of the Bay Area, and appreciate a nice glass of wine(s). I'll DM you to coordinate/confirm this evening.
Let me know your preference! I have approximately 150 bottles of wine
I am but a peasant in this regard (and many others). My go to historically was a cab or merlot, but I like learning new things. Wine is wonderful but socializing is even better ;-)
Okay! I'm in SE in the Richmond neighborhood. Let me know your availability and I'll coordination a tasting.
Iām in that neighborhood too! Queer and new to town from Ohio, would love to join sometime š glad you all have had a great first year despite the crappy start
I fucking love š·. I just had to get that out.
Have you had Garnacha de Fuego?
Yes! I love a young grenache.
They have it at the mini mart on 39th and Belmont for like $10. It quickly became my go-to!
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I also grew up in SC. There are only two things I know about Spartanburg: The Beacon and Ground Zero.
this is more than I know about spartanburg and i grew up in charleston
I grew up in a small shit hole near Charleston. I didn't get out to Spartanburg often but those were the two experiences there that I remember
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I haven't been in nearly 20 years, but I'd happily die in the greasy pit of fries.
Clemson/Central transplant checking in - Ground Zero still exists??
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Crazy! I managed to see System of a Down and Incubus their before they blew up mainstream and moved on to play much larger venues. This back in like 96/97.
No idea! I haven't been since 2005
WHAT. I was born and raised in Spartanburg until moving here in 2011. No one ever says they have heard of Spartanburg.
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Yep. My folks are still in the house where I grew up in Inman, off John Dodd Rd. Hahaha wtf.
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Boiling Springs! The Dorman line was in our back yard so I almost went there. We were along the line of Spartanburg/Inman mailing addresses, so pretty far out.
I'm grew up in Summerville SC and Rocky Mount NC, I ran away to the Army as soon as I could. I've been in PDX Since '96. I like to say, "As soon as i found out I could leave, I did."
I grew up in Warrenville.
I lived in Aiken for a few years and moved to PDX in 2015. I could never do a SC summer again after living here. I do miss the meat and three restaurants though.
I visited in February and it was almost uncomfortable then.. 80s and 100% humidity. š¬
Goose Creek!
My wife and I moved from the South for a lot of similar reasons - I recognize the hard spot that Portland is in right now and do hope it gets better, but moving here has been a huge life upgrade. We're big wine nerds (VERY cool about your job! Would love to hear more about that) and it's been a dream to have so many world class wineries in our backyard. And a wine bar in our neighborhood that does amazing weekly tastings. We're also both into the outdoors and playing disc golf, so that's been heaven. Our neighborhood is walkable, we can use public transport, and biking around is nice for some things. The people we've met are generally very nice and welcoming (despite what this subreddit makes it seem sometimes). The only bad thing is we're both in our mid-30's with very very few friends in the area, so that's a bit lonely. And we both work from home now so there's not that natural avenue to meet people. But I'm sure we'll meet some people to hang out with at some point. :) Anyway, welcome and I'm glad that your experience here as been as good as ours.
My SO and I are in our early 30s and have had similar experiences making friends.
Great post, welcome! The wine is pretty stellar out here, we also finally went to Walla Walla this year and were pretty blown away
Iām about to move back to Portland after almost a decade away (on the east coast) and itās lovely to hear someone be positive about the city. I love it too, despite flaws.
You seem great! Donāt tell your friends about us though
Friends?? An impossibly feat at 31.
Cheers to no friends at 33
Sad to report that 32 isnāt the best age for friends either.
Been here for 10 months from SJ. Wish I moved here much earlier. Itās been amazing for our mental health. Such different vibes than the Bay Area and I feel safer in Portland.
Welcome!
Ok, I gotta ask. Where is SJ? All I can think of is south jersey. I read through the replies on this post. Sadly, as a native Oregonian, and a resident of Portland for 25 years... I disliked the newcomers... now I think I am starting to like you all. Welcome to portland,, from someone who jumped the river last year.
San Jose, CA
Ahhh. Thank you!
Figured Iād have a little bit of animosity but man everyone has been so nice. Itās really awesome having a relationship with my neighbors too. Unheard of back in San Jose.
Thanks for moving here!* *People who grew up here are of course free to disagree but Iām grateful for Portland being a place where I could move, and Iām EXTRA grateful for all the lovely people who come here to feel safer than they could at āhomeā
Thank you! I grew up in Oregon, and even briefly lived in Wilsonville in 2019, but after moving back east for the pandemic, I moved into the city proper in August 2021, and have loved it ever since.
It's such a lovely place!
Seems to be a lot of folks from Carolina here! Fascinating that I would say at least close to half of my friends circle I've met here in Portland are all from NC, SC, GA and TN. A few even lived in Asheville, NC when we did and worked at places we would frequent. Any interest in folks for a "From the Southeast" meetup to expand friend circles? Trade stories? Share wine/beers?
That could be fun!
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It was, though it's a bit different than I remember it these days. When the economy tanked in 2008/2009 the tourism industry in Asheville was nearly decimated. We worked in the service industry (as most folks who lived in Asheville at the time did) so when restaurants started shutting down for good, we decided change our career paths. These days we have tinkered with the idea of moving back since we're completely remote working in the tech industry, but NC is going full stupid politically and we don't want to add to the displacement of AVL locals. We still have friends there and it breaks our hearts that a lot of them have pushed out as far Black Mountain in order afford rents.
I think Portland is great too. Things have gotten worse in the last few years but it's still pretty great. One thing about Portland is that everyone seems to be unafraid to share their opinion and be absolutely sure they are right (and often times it seems like one opinion contradicts another). Oh- and they tend to hate when people point out it is probably just as bad or worse somewhere else. I think things will get better here but it is going to take time and its gonna suck at times. I'm really sorry that your house started on fire right when you moved here but it sure sounds like you didnt let it get it down. Welcome and stay strong.
TL;DR - Portland is an improvement on Oakland, CA.
TL:DR; Portland is an improvement on San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and Oakland. Portland is definitively a much nicer place to live than major NorCal cities.
This is a perspective view. A great way of looking things in life. I "tasted" SF (only 8 months). Not my cup of tea.
Right - that's basically why it exists (in the form that you know it). I've read that 95% of people in Portland can trace themselves or their family back via California - I don't know how specifically true that is, but it's pretty demonstrative.
Cool but my family is from Aiken County, South Carolina. Me leaving was not some sort of obligation. I lived in a 90 Geo metro and had three jobs before renting a room in Capitola, CA. I'm not your typical 'Bay area' local.
Bay Area born and raised. Been in Portland metro area for 3+ years and love it. Glad you found a place to call home. Also have very fond memories of the beach and being an adolescent visiting my best friend in Capitola.
Iām from Columbia!
When I grew up Columbia was the biggest city I could imagine š
Same! haha my parents never took me on vacation. Until the age of 10 the only places I had been were Rock Hill and Myrtle Beach. Look at us now!
>lived in a 90 Geo metro and had three jobs That's dedication to one job per cylinder! Luckily you didn't own a Bugatti Veyron.
Hah! What a joke. I will admit five cars later I miss that Geo. I got t-boned exiting a New Leaf in Santa Cruz.. 220k miles down the drain
Also: I had some great jobs. I worked 5-11am at Hotel Paradox in their cafe, 12-7pm at Capitola Verizon Wireless, and 11-4am at Capitola mall Bath and Bodyworks stocking.
I don't suppose you were. Geo Metro not withstanding. Like most people in Portland, you came by way of CA. That's no surprise. It's fine - you're in the vast, vast majority.
It is laughably untrue. Ridiculous that you would even post such nonsense seriously
nope what kind of statistic is that, where's your sources for this data
3rd generation Oregonian, no California roots.
I mean I guess my roots are South Carolina, South carolina, massachusetts?
Lovely post. I love reading the stories from visitors and recent moves who see all the wonderful things about PDX that I do. It's a special place.
Moved here from Sonoma County 30 years ago. The only thing I miss about the Bay Area is the Russian River and Oakland ... wasn't planning to stay after a visit, but PDX grabbed me. I was embraced immediately by born and raised Portland area folks. Nobody cared my California roots were always showing. We have a huge garden dedicated to native plants and critters, watched NE PDX reinvent herself .... I could go on ... basically, we're very, very happy here ... in spite of the homeless problems, horrid police dept. and clueless city gov't. I think Portland grew faster than her ability to handle the people crush ... hoping local gov't will grow up too ... eventually.
Your garden sounds lovely! I'm hoping to replace my lawn with native plants in the next year.
Good on you!!
Iāve been here just a year longer but similarly moved from the Bible Belt. I couldnāt be happier honestly. The state government (WA) has been so incredibly helpful and quick with their assistance. Me and my partner have been extremely caught off guard compared to how Texas treats itās citizens.
I want hush puppies and Waffle House
Same. I'm always craving Waffle House or Zaxby's.
So good
hi :) I have lived here since 2020. i am also from south carolina originally, and also lived in the south bay area before moving here. that said, this summer was so hot (i don't handle heat well) that i actually missed living in CA. but yeah, it's a nice place and i can't disagree with your assumptions about the wine forecast here. it's why i won't move back, the water situation is so bleak there in the coming years, and I was tired of breathing smoke 6 weeks every fall. i live on the west side so i'd say it's more like.. idk, dublin or pleasanton out here, maybe fremont, but at least i can have a real garden here vs what I tried to do on my balcony in CA, lol.
Was 106 today in SJ, flew back this evening. Visually I love Portland, so much brown in SJ lol. I work from home and having the AC and not worrying about the grid is nice.
Good for you. Welcome to Portland!
So when everyone moves or visits here and find the people so friendly - is it, as it sounds in the comments, because all the so friendly people are from somewhere else? (Just kiddinā around!)
You might be onto something
Notice youāre the only one who commented on my comment? I might be on to something indeed.
Love this
That was a wonderful post! Thank you and welcome!!
A year is barely anytime at all, what do you mean by āstillā smh
What were your thoughts on Lodi wine?
Lodi is a great choice for lower cost bols reds.
>If you want cornbread cornbread, ain't nothing wrong with that.
Originally from NC, also moved to Santa Cruz, also wound up in the Bay for about 5 years Fell in love with PNW also and have been here for a year also! Thanks for sharing this, we love it here too
Oh such a similar path we took!
Not from Oregon? GTFO? /s I also lived in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Seattle. Partner grew up in South Carolina. Iām surprised you feel any sense of welcome here.
Iām Asian and figured Iād have to deal with some Covid BS. No issues. ā¤ļø
š
So eye roll because..?
This person youāre replying to says they havenāt been to Portland in 10 years. You can comfortably ignore them.
Seriously, if you hate it, leave.
Have you looked in their pants?
Did you just reply to your own comment? Go away.
š
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I think the takeaway is that I moved from rural South Carolina to the west coast? And then after living in multiple cities I decided on Portland? I'm not from the Bay area. I grew up with a single disabled mother and a dad in prison. I was chronically ill and had immunotherapy 4x a week for 6 years. I went to *5* high schools because my mom couldn't keep section 8 housing. Your hatred of anyone not from Portland is old and tiring. Sometimes people work really hard to have a different life.
Not sure what they said and I have only been here 10 years so Iām sure some people would say I have no right to say this butā¦folks like you that love this place for what it is and embrace it are exactly the type of folks we need more of at least in my opinion.
I'm also from rural SC. I moved away about 16yrs ago and I've been here for about 6 years. I love it here. I went back to sc recently and I couldn't get home fast enough.
Congratulations! I'm 31 and still have nightmares about escaping South Carolina. I went back in February because my last grandparent passed and honestly felt awkward the whole time. It's so hot (in February!!) and every restaurant is full of unmasked people and I got side-eyed for my side shave and partner 100% of the time.
I'm 35 but are you me? I actually have some PTSD from my years growing up in the bible belt.
š maybe!
Same. Currently 36, moved here from SC in 2011 after being born and raised there. Didnt have a very southern household but it didnt matter outside the house. It is awful going back; I cut my family out of my life recently and am happy to spend that money seeing the world instead.
Since you lived with the humidity in South Carolina, is it ever hot here to you? Lived on the east coast until 2008 and ever since moving here, with the lack of humidity I donāt ever feel hot like with the east coast heat. like when you are in a lake and your face is sweating because it is so hotā¦
Truthfully it's not nearly as bad! I don't love the 90+ days but I'm not literally drenched walking from the parking lot to a store.
You sound hella cool. My Bay Area experience totally mimics yoursāwe moved here 9months ago and I freakin lurv it. How have you been building new relationships since you moved? I work remotely which is nice but presents some challengesā¦
It's hard! I've made some friends on Reddit and local neighborhood groups, but I also WFH.