Should I live in Portland, OR or Seattle, WA?

Question

I've lived in Portland for 5 years, but I'm debating about moving to Seattle. I love both places. Which would you live in and why?

Answer 1

Well, you are asking this in the "Seattle" section of Yahoo Answers so don't be surprised if your answers favor Seattle.

I've spent a lot of time in both cities, having grown up near Seattle and having gone to college in Portland.

Seattle seems to have a more cosmopolitan atmosphere in my opinion. The last time I drove through downtown (by Nordstroms) everyone was wearing black. In my opinion everyone was just trying dress trendy (aka trying to look cool). Since I hate "fake" and trying to "fit in" it really turned me off. I guess I just don't see that same thing in Portland (not to the same degree anyway).

There's more of an international flavor in Seattle. It's also a bigger city, of course. Personally, I like the international diversity that I see in Seattle.

Some people say Portland runs at a slower pace than Seattle. I would agree with that. Depending upon my mood I could go either way. Just depends on the day.

Seattle has Puget Sound and Portland has a river. I think that Puget Sound is awesome. The Portland waterfront doesn't do anything for me.

Seattle has the monorail and Portland has the MAX. The MAX system is far superior to anything that Seattle has (except for the ferry system).

If you have the freedom to "try" Seattle that seems like a pretty cool idea. I lived in Portland for several years and I'm not sure I'd move back at present. Trying Seattle might be interesting & fun. But, I don't know if I'd want to live their long term. I'd get worn out by it all. Each person is different, though. I can't imagine living in New York City... but some people probably love it.

Answer 2

Seattle

Answer 3

Seattle

Answer 4

Family: I have family in the area of Seattle
Economics: Yes, there are more jobs available in the Seattle area.
Environment: Portland is drier which is more important to me. Except the Williamette can overflow.
Food: Both have great restaurants. Though eating along the Williamette is very nice.
Intangibles: Toss up, both close to skiing, hiking, etc.

I would probably pick Seattle given the choice of only Seattle and Portland. I live in the Los Angeles area. Plus being closer to kin.

Answer 5

Seattle, here's some reasons. 1. it was voted one of the top ten best places to live. 2. it's the most literate city in America. 3. it's very nice, it has the space needle and lots of other nice things. 4. it has nice coastal weather. 5. if you ever needed to get out of inland America, like if there's a disaster or something, that would be the fastest way to get out, they have ferries that take you to Alaska. and personally, I would live in Redmond, which is in the Seattle area, because it's beautiful there, with lots of trees and grass etc. it has beautiful surroundings too. I'm going to live there soon, that's where Nintendo of America headquarters is located, I'm going to get a job there, as a game designer, which is my career, I've been determined to be a game designer, when I was a kid I didn't just want to be a game designer, I was determined, to make it happen. I even started learning game programing at age 12. well anyway, Seattle, better than Portland.

Answer 6

I suggest you spend a few days staying and driving around Seattle during different times of the day..

I live in Portland and my best friend in Monroe WA. (NE of Seattle).. I go up there 1 or 2 times a month to go quading or play in the mountains...

When I leave Portland it about 1:00 AM to miss the CRAZY traffic... It's OUT OF CONTROL !!!

You would have to pay me enough to fly into work before I would move there...

****************************EDIT..

But I do miss the Puget Sound.... (born in Tacoma)

Answer 7

Seattle. A WONDERFUL area. There are big companies in Seattle and not to mention the growing population. There are great vacation areas throughout Washington as well. But this is your choice, so good luck! =)

Answer 8

Let me just say, Austin Texas, without a doubt. I live in Austin, i've been living here for 14 years, and I love it here! Austin is an amazing, fascinating city. Austin is a very cultural city, and has some intriguing architecture you don't want to miss. Austin is the capital city of Texas, too. The people of Austin are so friendly, even random strangers you've never see before, are nice. Austin has beautiful scenery, and Austin is in the middle of Texas's hill country. It's a nice hilly area, and there are many lakes/rivers here too. We have one running through downtown, and some more around the city. Austin is also close to the highland lakes region, so west austin has multiple lakes for water events and such, great for the summer. Austin is one of the healthiest cities in the USA, and one of the most fit cities, with all of the parks here with running trails/fitness centers/gyms etc. Austin has great restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs, you name it. It fits everyone's personality. Austin also has a great nightlife, all of the downtown buildings are illuminated, along with the Texas capitol building and the University of Texas tower. Austin is the live music capital of the WORLD. So much great live music with outdoor concerts along the river, and street performers, etc. Also, Austin got chose as the ONLY AMERICAN CITY to have the Grand Prix for the next ten years! Austin is a very educated, high-tech city. We have a big Google office and the 2nd largest Apple complex is here, along with Dell and many other computer companies. Austin has many many universities and has a great public-school system. I can't name all of them, there are at least 10 in the Austin area. There's so much to see, so much to do, so many friendly people! Austin is the right choice for anybody that is lucky enough to move here! You should move to Austin! You WON'T be disappointed AT ALL! Hope this helped! (By the way, I've been to all of the other cities and I have to tell you to AVOID Phoenix, scratch Chapel Hill and Denver. My SECOND choice would probably be Portland. BUT, Portland does NOT come anywhere close to Austin!)

Answer 9

Seattle - way ahead on classical culture:
Grand Opera
Ballet
Symphony
Theatre

Answer 10

Seattle. Theres more jobs there.