Portland, Oregon is not without problems. Its homeless problem is ridiculous.
Its job market can be termed 'frightening' at best. But five years after I first laid
eyes on it, with me comfortably situated in a city 2500 miles away, I can still say
that it is my favorite city in the United States. Portland challenges almost any
conception that you ever had about a metro area of 2 million, with its relaxed
all-you'd-ever-need neighborhoods and cozy yet thriving downtown. The city is
living proof that nature and commercialism can co-exist. The fact that so many of
its citizens are devoted to protecting its natural beauty makes newcomers
enthusiastic about doing the same. The city also does its best to protect its "Mom
and Pop" businesses and possesses a sometimes less-than-subtle anti-capitalist
feel. Portland isn't just liberal; it is progressiveness at its best. George Bush Sr.
didn't call this town "Little Beirut" for nothin'. Portlanders are generally laid-back
(especially with a micro-brew and something organic), but chop down a tree and
see what happens. Expand a war and see what you get. Hell, try selling fur coats
on the streets...it's not pretty. Although protesting CAN go overboard, it is some-
what responsible for Portland's appeal: people give two shits. The crime rate is
incredibly low for a city of its size. Oregon's largest city was at one time named
the cleanest big city in America for years in a row. Its transportation system
(including light-rail) is a model for other cities. True: taxes are high here. But you
breathe clean air. You're comfortable biking or walking to work because that's
normal. And you are 45 minutes from an 11,000-foot mountain, an hour and
fifteen minutes from the ocean and surrounded by forests and a high desert.
Don't allow the rain to dampen your enthusiasm. (Sorry, I've been wanting to
use that for a while now.)
Seattle, Washington has always prompted the following comment from me
upon leaving it: "I can't pinpoint it, but there is just something about that city that
I don't like." Seattle tends to always impress. It is surprisingly clean for a city of its
size. The downtown area is thriving, and its attractions are numerous. Unfortunately,
I just don't think that Seattle has a soul. From the Space Needle, you stare out into
its buildings, mountains and the Sound. You get a sense of awe from the mountains,
a calming feeling from the waters, but the buildings send out one vibe only for me:
money. Seattle has a lot of that--and I think what bugs me about the place is that it
doesn't mind flaunting the wealth.
San Francisco, California's name alone sends out chills. Say "San Francisco" to
a Southern Baptist and wait for the reaction. Mention it to any Republican, for that
matter. That's what makes San Francisco fantastic. What comes out of the city has
been messing with the public's head for years...and San Franciscans thrive on that.
As a result, the city thrives. Some call it 'reckless'. I use the term 'bold'. Maybe they
feel emboldened because they can climb those damned hills--excuse me--mountains
without collapsing left and right. You want to dwell on the 60s? Come. Want to be All
Things Gay? We'll save a spot for you in the parade. If you smoke funny things, dress
oddly or are just plain freakish, San Francisco is for you. I love visiting, but could never
live there. The row houses, narrow streets and SF's situation on a tiny peninsula leave
little room for breathing and much room for claustrophobia. But it sure is breathtaking.
Los Angeles, California is, of course, huge. When I first visited L.A., my fellow
Portlanders told me that I would hate it. (Of course, they did: Los Angeles is the
antithesis of Portland!) I actually liked the City of Angels. True, the sprawl is mind-
numbing. But there is so much to do in L.A., and such an awesome mix of diverse
people. However, the gross exaggeration of wealth is a bit much. Ostentatious cars
and dwellings start to look gaudy after a while. Head over to Silver Lake if that
scenery gets old. It is my favorite neighborhood in the city--quirky with some great
architecture and a rich history. Use the back roads to get there, and avoid I-5 at all
costs. Yet another city that I would not want to live in: everything that people say
about the congestion is correct and then some.
