Of Seattle, Phoenix, & Portland, in which city is best to live?

Question

My question is more targeted to the city that is more health consious-less pollution, better (cheaper) organic food, less traffic, etc.

Answer 1

I woudl say Portland, easily.

Phoenix is very very hot, has some serious pollution issues, and the traffic can be TERRIBLE.

Seattle has has terrible traffic as well. I've known it to take 8 hours to make a trip that's usually 2 because of the traffic in and around Seattle. There *are* plenty of places to get organic and locally grown produce, so that is a plus.

Portland has loads of organic stores, farmer's markets, and even fields where you can pick your own products. The traffic in the city can be dreadful during rush hour, but there are lots of people who bike and ride the train (The Max). The culture here is typically very action oriented for those who want it. Meaning there are places to rent kayaks to kayak along the columbia. There are loads of gorgeous hiking trails within the city and outside of the city. There are bike lanes, bike paths, and bike lock ups virtually everywhere. There are even protected bike paths on some of the freeways! But the coolest thing about Portland, well more of the surrounding areas, is that it still has a small town feel. People remember you, people are friendly, and you usually feel safe. Even walking in downtown at midnight.

Good luck to you in making a decision.

Answer 2

Seattle for all the things you are looking for. There are many stores that have only organic food, and Seattle is very health conscious. But for traffic, Seattle isn't the best. There are a lot of people commuting to Seattle, and though there are a lot of alternatives like the trains, buses, and many people bike, the traffic in Seattle can be crazy. If you live a little bit outside of Seattle you can have all the same ammenidies and have a lower cost of living and a lot less traffic. If you move to Issaquah, Hobart, Maple Valley, Covington, you can get all of these things without as much traffic. I wouldn't go much further south than Federal Way or finding organic food is a lot more difficult. Portland has a little better weather (but not by much,) they are health conscious, but don't appear to have as many organic food stores. In almost every store in the Seattle area you will find an organic food section in the grocery store, where I don't see that as much as in Portland (I've lived in both towns.) I can't tell you much about Phoenix other than I thought I was dying of heat the two times I've been there. I never dared to leave the air conditioned buildings and there was no chance to really enjoy the outdoors because of the extreme heat. But if you are used to that heat, then it shouldn't be a problem.

Answer 3

Having lived in Seattle and Portland, I would vote for Portland. However, you really can't go wrong with either one.

Been to Phoenix - it's too hot.

I very much enjoyed Seattle, and would never be uncomfortable living there. However, their traffic is horrible, and the cost of housing is very high.

Portland's housing costs are also rising, but are not yet at the same level as Seattle. Portland's traffic is NOWHERE as bad as Seattle's, unless you try to live in Vancouver, WA (just across the Columbia River) and commute to work in Portland. Then you are screwed.

Aside from housing costs and traffic, both cities are otherwise very similar. Both have great beer, food and coffee. Both are environmentally and politically conscious. Both are located on the water and have vast numbers of recreational options year 'round. Both have easy access to the Pacific Coast and the Cascade Mountains.

If it were me, I'd end up choosing the city where I can find a job that makes me happy and pays well enough to live in that area. That's why I'm enjoying life in Portland right now.

Answer 4

I've lived in all three cities (I'm from Portland). I have to vote for my birth city. Seattle has some great shopping but the traffic and living costs are astronomical. Phoenix is way too hot and there's a lot of crime. Portland is the smaller of all three and has a great sense of community. There are plenty of co-op and organic food markets. There is great city transportation, cleaner air and great drinking water. Traffic can be harry sometimes, but as with anywhere else that's a city you can't get away from it. Plus you can still find affordable housing here (I moved back to raise a family).

Answer 5

Based on your criteria, the answer is Portland without a doubt.

Portland is rated #1 for sustainability in the US:

http://sustainlane.com/article/895

Portland is rated the #1 large city for bicycling in the US:

http://www.cicle.org/cicle_content/pivot/entry.php?id=364

Like every larger city, Portland has traffic, but it not nearly as congested as Seattle or Phoenix; also, Portland has a superior mass transit system to either city.

Seattle and Portland both have very low pollution levels due to their geography and proximity to the ocean, while Phoenix has the infamous "brown cloud" of pollution pretty much year round.

Seattle and Phoenix are both great places to live in their own ways, and I know that you can find some of what you are looking for in any of the three cities. Also, they are both larger metropolises than Portland so you will find more big city amenities compared to Portland. But for what you are looking for, Portland is the best large city in the US.

Answer 6

I have lived in Seattle and I currently reside in the Phoenix area so I hope my answer is helpful. Seattle has big traffic issues and PHX has its bad areas but is set up alot better. Seattle and Portland are more expensive towns to live in, property wise and rent wise. Seattle and Port are rainy and mostly cloudy for much of the year whereas PHX is sunny 99% of the time. PHX is in a valley which when high pressure systems occur is a bit on the polluted side but nothing like LA used to be. Scottsdale is a better area of the PHX valley when it comes to healthier food and is a better part of the valley when it comes to traffic.
Really the best place to live is an individual thing and should be rated or judged by the individual looking for new residence.

Answer 7

go for portland. phoenix is too damn hot all the time, its always brown, dry, and dusty. not many houses there have lawns but beautifully and aesthetically pleasing mounds of dirt. seattle is okay but if you're looking for that healthy lifestyle go for portland. cleanest city in the world rated by several studies, greenest and eco-friendly city too. traffic is not bad at all and the 'burbs are very nice.

Answer 8

I would consider Eugene, OR, just two hours south of Portland. It has everything it sounds like you want, moreso than any of the other cities you mention, and the overall climate is better, too. (Neither too hot or too cold, and not as grey and wet as seattle.)

Answer 9

In that case seattle all the way,

its a very liberal city, infact, while out there are "city bikes"
for the open public to ride around at they're whim.

For personal wellbeing Pheonix,

its got great weather and a high altitude.
keeps you sweating, witch releases alot of things you dont need in your body.

As for portland...

well i just avoid oregon all together.

Answer 10

seattle except for the traffic but you can move to tacoma it has everthing your looking for and is 45 min from seattle