Should I move to Chicago or Portland?

Question

I'm a 23-year-old male from a small Minnesota city, and I just finished college with a degree in business. I've lived my entire life in Minnesota, and I want to try something new. I've narrowed my decision down to two choices: Portland (Oregon) or Chicago. I've never lived in a city of over 100,000 population, so the vibrance, diversity, and sheer size of Chicago is exciting. I've had a good time on the few times I've visited it. On the other hand, I like outdoor recreation and natural beauty, and I've found Portland to excel in those areas when I've visited. I also like the laid-back atmosphere there.

So, which city do you like better? Which city would it be easier to find a job in? Which city shows more hospitality towards mountain goats from outer-space? In other words, answer the question in any way that you want!

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Well I've never visited Chicago so my answer will be biased completely towards Portland.

Portland HAS everything I would ever want in life!
;o)

Actually - Oregon has everything...high desert, mountains with year round snow, forests, vineyards, beaches, city life, crazy funky people. I could go on and on.

Here in Oregon - a mountain goat from outer space wouldn't even get a second glance on the street. Everyone here is weird in our own way and we enjoy letting others be the same way.

The stereotypical Oregonian is as follows - addicted to coffee (can tell you every latte house within a 10 mile radius and why you should or should not go there). They are highly outdoorsy and environmentally conscious. They work hard. They play hard. They realize that you can go to a fancy restaurant in jeans. They haven't seen any of their ties in years. They wear socks with hiking sandals and don't freakin care if some out of towner looks twice. They start wearing shorts in March and stop wearing them in November. Some (like my crazy fiance) wear shorts year round. They may or may not smoke weed - that's a sterotype that the jury is still out on for me - most of my friends are drug free. They love wine and are fiercely loyal to Oregon wine. They are not afraid of a little rain and a lot of rain usually makes them find their umbrella (but not actually use it...). They are widely travelled and widely read. One of Oregon's favorite haunts is Powell's Books in downtown. Our Saturday Markets (be it the one under the Burnside Bridge or the ones that are technically Farmer's Markets) are second to none. Oregonians are also very stylish (yes we have electricity therefore we have internet...so we know what is in style in New York and LA). But we usually just march to the beat of our own Ipod and wear what we want. Oregonians also have a deep sense of community and reach out to each other in times of need. I have seen some amazing gestures of generosity in my short time on this planet. When I drive down the street I see everything from a mangy old Toyota Corolla to a brand new Ferrari (yah I saw that one on Saturday...wow). Personally I drove a 1990 Volvo for 5 years and fit right in.
I think in Oregon there is no stereotype really. We all just do what we want and live according to our own calling. It's a very refreshing place to be.
If you move here - let me know - I will show you the best place in the world to get local coffee ;o)

Answer 2

I have lived in the midwest (near Chicago) most of my life, and found it wonderful except in the winter. But being from Minnesota you're used to the snow. There is lots to do outdoors in the Chicago area too! Even though we don't have mountains, you have tons of state parks in the area, plus you are near Wisconsin and Indiana and believe it or not only about 2 hours from Michigan too! So you're possibilities for recreation are endless.
As far as getting a job. Geez, my best suggestion would be to visit the Chicago Tribune website and view the job listings. Check other national job search websites like Monster.com also. Good luck and hope you enjoy where ever you choose.

Answer 3

That's a really good question. It sounds to me like the outdoors interests you. I'm from Washington State and been through Portland and along Interstate 5.

From a business perspective, I'd lean toward Chicago because it strikes me as more fast-paced. If you're willing to set aside your outdoor spirit and to be ambitious, Chicago may be worth it with its different climate.

However, if recreation is important, I don't think there's anything wrong with Portland. Personally, I'd think there may be more business opportunities in Portland. It doesn't stand out like Chicago or New York.

We live in an Information Age where you can do a lot of online business and depending on what field you go into, being in Portland may not be bad because you can enjoy the outdoors.

One pitfall is that you don't know how long your stint in Chicago may be or where it may lead you, giving you few opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

If you go to Portland, you may be even able to luck out and find a job opportunity that works with recreation and allows you to exercise your Business Degree.

Oregon has some beautiful scenery where you can leave the city to clear your head, which can be a good stress reliever. If you go to Chicago, maybe you won't get that same type of relief you would in Portland.

As a Business Graduate, you obviously have to weigh the Opportunity Costs. Would you be sacrificing job opportunities in a faster paced Chicago by pursuing readily accessible recreation of Oregon, or can you forego Portland and handle being in Chicago.

You have the "Mr. Holland Conundrum" from "Mr. Holland's Opus." He wanted to be a Composer and was only going to do teaching for a little while until he gained fame and fortune. Instead, bills just kept on piling up and unforeseen expenses with children surfaced.

He was never able to get out of that and at the end he felt his life was misspent, which it wasn't. That was filmed in Oregon as a matter of fact. It sounds to me that if you were Mr. Holland Portland would be composing music and Chicago would be teaching.

At least, that's my take on it. I'm just throwing out some Food for Thought for you to pick and nibble at and give you some perspective, redraft, and mull over you things.

I've lived in Washington State and right by a State Park. I love the pine trees and greenery. It's really easy going compared to fast paced society. Now I reside in Los Angeles. I miss having the rain wash my car so that it wouldn't be covered with dust.

One thing you may want to consider as well is how much money you're allocating for yourself in terms of rent and during the hiatus in which you're job searching. What is the going rate for an apartment in Chicago vs. Portland? I'm assuming Portland would be cheaper. That may be another incentive to go to Portland.

One thing that's really good about the Oregon Area is that it's not as developed in certain areas, which leaves it ripe for business opportunities. I know that in certain patches of the state, people don't get very good radio or television reception because of the Mountain Ranges. There's a lot of development going on there.

On a topic unrelated to either Portland or Chicago, you should also start flexing your Business Skills. You should be establishing a business that you are nurturing or developing to start bringing in residual income aside from whatever job you find and to keep you occupied.

I don't know what college graduates do when they finish, but they should already be working on something to fall back on or give them an income on the side.

In my case, I'm always building web sites, online stores, and hunting for franchising opportunities.

Perhaps if you have any business experience that revolves around the sales or marketing aspect of the Portland area, that would make Portland even more enticing and where you can make your mark. (No pun intended.)

Answer 4

Portland!! I have lived on both. Portland people are nicer and the weather is acually better! Plese you have mountains and the ocean within one hour of each other!

Answer 5

There is no comparison to Chicago and anywhere in the Northwest. Pick Portland!

Answer 6

PORTLAND!!

I just moved out of Illinois. That state is the armpit of our country!

Oregon also has no property taxes (so I hear), and much more temperate weather. Whereas, Illinois has a climate of extremes.

Answer 7

i would definitely go with portland. i used to live in the seattle area and i adore the pacific northwest.

portland, i've been told, is much like seattle, so it has plenty, and i mean plenty if it IS like seattle, of culture, but then you've got, like you said, lots of natural beauty.

personally, there's no question in my mind.

Answer 8

Portland could have a tsunami or a major earthquake.

Answer 9

Hands down... Portland! Do not even second guess or give it another thought!

Answer 10

depends what u like