<p>Did I miss your spring break report?
How did you like Vancouver and Portland?</p>
<p>Dstark,
I totally missed your post due to the influx of all the final college decisions! I’ve been “away” finalizing summer plans for the children and awaiting the arrival of D1. The latter flew into LAX on a Friday and started her summer job on Monday! So, we’re now settled in.</p>
<p>To answer your question…we LOVED Portland. Having never been to the NW, I was pleasantly surprised how cosmopolitian–and clean–it was! It reminded me so much of SF…but on a smaller, much more manageable scale. With the exception of light intermittent rain on a couple of days, the weather cooperated so that we saw some sun against magnificent clear blue skies! The temperature hovered in the 60’s and the air was crisp.</p>
<p>The public transportation was very impressive. We stayed by the conference center and was able to catch the Tri-Mex across the street from the hotel for the 10-12 min ride to the downtown/business district. It was free if you stayed within the core bounds of the electric trolley. From downtown, we did a lot of walking…to Powell’s (largest independent bookstore)…Pearl District…and Nob Hill. The latter is reminiscent of Market St in SF and also Carmel. We could have spent a whole afternoon browsing through the shops and local eateries.</p>
<p>Some of the highlights:
- Visited Portland’s Classical Chinese Garden. I believe it was only built in the last few yrs in conjunction with artisans from Portland’s sister city, Suzhou. It was gorgeous…better than the one in Vancouver BC.
- Did the Underground Tour. We admire Portland’s appreciation and commitment to preserving its local history—whether it was favorable or “questionable.” Many of the underground tunnels were probably built by the Chinese–some under taverns–and used by local “pirates” to shanghai both men and women for slave labor. It was a fascinating “look” into the past.
- Ate at Jake’s Grill. The seafood was the best we’ve ever tasted…tender calamari steak and salmon on the plank. Our waitress moved to Portland from CA about 18 yrs ago. She still has relatives in Orange County.
- Drove the scenic tour through the mtns to catch the waterfalls. Unfortunately, that was the day it rained…but, it didn’t seem to stop the flow of people!!! It was breathtaking.
- We also spent a day driving toward the coast, Seaside, and Astoria. The view of the Columbia River and toward the Pacific from the top of the Lewis & Clark memorial was amazing.
- We spent about 2-1/2 hours visiting Lewis & Clark College. We made no prior arrangements but were lucky enough to walk into an information session–that was packed!–with one of the admissions officers. Afterwards, we went on a campus tour hosted by a sophomore. The campus was beautiful…most of the students were in the library studying for mid-terms. The ones we did see were pretty laid back and talking amongst friends. Although we did not have a chance to go in, the upperclassmen apartments looked fabulous.
- Before leaving, we went to the Saturday Open Market. The local artisans had some incredible jewelry and wares on display. The prices were more than reasonable. It was very festive and relaxing.</p>
<p>In terms of shopping, there are very few (if any) stores in LA that you can’t find in Portland. Even better is NO sales tax! That was amazing. We did spend a few hours driving through Vancouver WA. The area just outside of the city proper is booming with new housing and open malls…to our dismay, it reminded us of the suburbia growth in southern Orange County. Downtown Vancouver is some yrs away from becoming a Portland…with new businesses moving in. As we were crossing the bridge back to Oregon, we noticed the flood of traffic going into Vancouver. I think everyone has the same idea…live in Vancouver–no income tax–and work in Portland. At that point, H & I decided that we are an urban couple…so we prefer Portland. The housing prices are steep…we may have been priced out of the Pearl District. They are rapidly building condos and townhomes in the area called the Riverfront, just south of downtown. We wouldn’t even mind looking at Hillsboro…at one end of the Tri-Mex route. So, Portland is defnitely at or near the top of our list for retirement. Where else can you take public transportation directly from the hotel to the airport (25 min ride)—for a family of 4—and only pay $5!? ;)</p>
<p>Archermom, great post, great descriptions of Portland. Having grown up in SF, I enjoyed reading your comparisons between SF and Portland. I have heard that Portland is now one of the hotter real estate markets in the US. How expensive is housing in the Pearl District?
Riverfront? Hillsboro?</p>
<p>Disappointed to read that Vancouver was similar to Orange County. I think I would have the same reaction to Vancouver that you and your husband did.</p>
<p>Since our trip, I’ve been sharing notes with colleagues about Portland and the surrounding areas. We all agree: cosmopolitan, great transit system, clean, smart community planning, great food, and friendly citizens.</p>
<p>From what we have heard and read, Portland has been hot for a few yrs. Housing prices vary according to proximity to the city. Both the Pearl and Riverfront areas are within walking distance to the busines district. Almost all the new buildings are condos or townhomes. A colleague just returned from Portland yesterday and showed me specs for a new upscale 888 sq ft condo in the Pearl for $347K…with top of the line stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. This same person had been looking at similar sized units but apt conversions in WLA/Santa Monica…for $550K - $700K. I guess it is all relative. 
We visited the offices of one the primary builders in the Pearl area, Hoyt…and, according to the rep, a lot of their buyers are from out-of-state. Many units are rented out.</p>
<p>If I had to take a guess, the most desirable is Pearl, followed by the Riverfront, then Hillsboro. Because the other areas are closer to Portland proper, you will probably get more for your money in Hillsboro. One can probably purchase a 1600 sq ft townhome or even a house close to the same price as the smaller Pearl condo. H is ready to move beyond yard work and consider townhome living in our next stage of life.</p>
<p>Archermom, I totally understand where your husband is coming from. Portland sounds great.</p>
<p>Thanks for the posts.</p>