Seattle or Portland?

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: Deeko
I've seen a lot of people complain about the traffic in Seattle being really bad. Do you NW people just not have a clue what real traffic is like?? I just moved to Seattle from Philly, and downtown traffic (and highway traffic) seems extremely tame compared to Philly traffic. And Philly isn't even the worst NE city for that (NYC and DC are supposed to be worse).

Have you tried commuting east on 520 and then south on 405 at 5:00? =) Eastside has worse traffic than Seattle.

 

[jpeyton]

No sales tax in Oregon! Bling bling.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Deeko
I've seen a lot of people complain about the traffic in Seattle being really bad. Do you NW people just not have a clue what real traffic is like?? I just moved to Seattle from Philly, and downtown traffic (and highway traffic) seems extremely tame compared to Philly traffic. And Philly isn't even the worst NE city for that (NYC and DC are supposed to be worse).

Have you tried commuting east on 520 and then south on 405 at 5:00? =) Eastside has worse traffic than Seattle.

I thought 520 west in the afternoon was worse (between 405 and the bridge is like a farking parking lot), but I guess we are splitting hairs here.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

oden>durant

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Deeko
I've seen a lot of people complain about the traffic in Seattle being really bad. Do you NW people just not have a clue what real traffic is like?? I just moved to Seattle from Philly, and downtown traffic (and highway traffic) seems extremely tame compared to Philly traffic. And Philly isn't even the worst NE city for that (NYC and DC are supposed to be worse).

Have you tried commuting east on 520 and then south on 405 at 5:00? =) Eastside has worse traffic than Seattle.

I thought 520 west in the afternoon was worse (between 405 and the bridge is like a farking parking lot), but I guess we are splitting hairs here.

You win on that one, I think. It's bad both ways but west in the afternoon is probably worse. I just got snared going east a week or two ago and was thinking of that.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Deeko
I've seen a lot of people complain about the traffic in Seattle being really bad. Do you NW people just not have a clue what real traffic is like?? I just moved to Seattle from Philly, and downtown traffic (and highway traffic) seems extremely tame compared to Philly traffic. And Philly isn't even the worst NE city for that (NYC and DC are supposed to be worse).

Have you tried commuting east on 520 and then south on 405 at 5:00? =) Eastside has worse traffic than Seattle.

I thought 520 west in the afternoon was worse (between 405 and the bridge is like a farking parking lot), but I guess we are splitting hairs here.

You win on that one, I think. It's bad both ways but west in the afternoon is probably worse. I just got snared going east a week or two ago and was thinking of that.

I live about 15 seconds from the 520 onramp on the eastside (next to the shell station)... It normally doesn't affect me too bad, but some days it can really cramp my style.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Tizyler

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: Deeko
I've seen a lot of people complain about the traffic in Seattle being really bad. Do you NW people just not have a clue what real traffic is like?? I just moved to Seattle from Philly, and downtown traffic (and highway traffic) seems extremely tame compared to Philly traffic. And Philly isn't even the worst NE city for that (NYC and DC are supposed to be worse).

Have you tried commuting east on 520 and then south on 405 at 5:00? =) Eastside has worse traffic than Seattle.

I thought 520 west in the afternoon was worse (between 405 and the bridge is like a farking parking lot), but I guess we are splitting hairs here.

You win on that one, I think. It's bad both ways but west in the afternoon is probably worse. I just got snared going east a week or two ago and was thinking of that.

I live about 15 seconds from the 520 onramp on the eastside (next to the shell station)... It normally doesn't affect me too bad, but some days it can really cramp my style.

Wow... wierd. I read your post and then realized... I took a business trip up there last year and they put me up in the La Quinta right next door.

No big deal, just wierd...

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Thread about Seattle: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=38&threadid=2181849

 

[Soybomb]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Neither!

They both suck ass due to there hippies, dykes, heroin emo kids, rampant homlessness, Subaru drivers, and all around horrendous weather.

You want culture - Move to SF - sure the ultra liberals are a bit much and the homeless/crime aint the best but at least the weather is decent and SF has way way more culture!

I'm relatively certainly if the politics of Illinois are too Democratic for me I will not enjoy CA

 

[MBrown]

I have never been to either but I would choose Seattle just because it seems a big more urban. And Oregon may not have sales tax but I don't think Washington has an income tax.

 

[jagec]

Live in Seattle, visit Portland (Sister lives there).

Seattle's a bigger place, not quite as homogenous, and has marginally more opportunities for outdoors recreation. However, it has much more traffic, somewhat more pollution and crime, and mass transit isn't really as good.

Given equal jobs at both, I'd be torn but would probably pick Portland.

 

[LS21]

the only cities in the us id ever live in are: austin, denver, portland,* .... already lived in the first one, moving to the second, so portland seems nice


(*will also consider NY; some places in TN)

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
One negative that I haven't seen mentioned (and forgot myself) is that Portland is the whitest big city in America. If you're looking for a mingling of different minorities in a cultural melting pot, not so much in Portland... Don't get me wrong, it's not a racist place. It's just really, really white (for the record, I'm white too). It's a little like children of the corn sometimes.

Are you crazy? Where in PDX do you live? Portland has a large mix of different ethnic backgrounds. Are you actually in Portland or La Center or Brush Prairie?

 

[m1ldslide1]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
One negative that I haven't seen mentioned (and forgot myself) is that Portland is the whitest big city in America. If you're looking for a mingling of different minorities in a cultural melting pot, not so much in Portland... Don't get me wrong, it's not a racist place. It's just really, really white (for the record, I'm white too). It's a little like children of the corn sometimes.

Are you crazy? Where in PDX do you live? Portland has a large mix of different ethnic backgrounds? Are you actually in Portland or La Center or Brush Prairie?

I think that Portland is plenty diverse. It really depends on what you do with your time. There are entire sections of town which are *very* ethnic, and since the city isn't huge you will end up in all of them at some time or another. Unless you have a bunch of money, you'll probably be living in one of these parts of town too. I know I am.

Agree with all the stuff others said about the culture, weather, outdoors, and pros and cons of bigger versus smaller, etc. Some folks were making it sound like Seattle has a much better nightlife, which is sorta true. Portland has a tremendous nightlife, in terms of clubs and music and things to do every night of the week. I think that Seattle has more of these things just because it's bigger, but that doesn't necessarily mean your personal experience will be better.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
One negative that I haven't seen mentioned (and forgot myself) is that Portland is the whitest big city in America. If you're looking for a mingling of different minorities in a cultural melting pot, not so much in Portland... Don't get me wrong, it's not a racist place. It's just really, really white (for the record, I'm white too). It's a little like children of the corn sometimes.

Are you crazy? Where in PDX do you live? Portland has a large mix of different ethnic backgrounds? Are you actually in Portland or La Center or Brush Prairie?

I know someone that just visited Portland and he said the same thing to me. He said it was the least diverse city he's ever been to. He was shocked.

 

[geckojohn]

Do you care about the weather? If so, i would recommend Portland... But I'm sure you'll have fun in either place.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Another positive for Portland - Some of the best strip-clubs I've ever been to. Full nude with full bars and usually no cover and $4-pints of fresh micro-brew.

Oh, and if you think Illinois is liberal better not go to Oregon. The first state in the union that tried universal health care which proceeded to bankrupt the state and cause it to use up its education budget taking care of the welfare poor rather than educate the kids.

 

[gotsmack]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: NL5

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
There's no personal income tax in Washington State, which is a bonus.

KT

I wonder how all that tax stuff works for people who live in Vancouver and work in downtown Portland....

You pay Oregon Income Tax.

Is there city tax?

I am interested to know if there is a a city tax for income and sales for Portland as well. I am thinking about moving from the NYC metro area.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Portland. I moved to Seattle and after six months left.

 

[timswim78]

I have family in both, and I prefer Portland. It is definitely less pretentious than Seattle.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: gotsmack

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: NL5

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
There's no personal income tax in Washington State, which is a bonus.

KT

I wonder how all that tax stuff works for people who live in Vancouver and work in downtown Portland....

You pay Oregon Income Tax.

Is there city tax?

I am interested to know if there is a a city tax for income and sales for Portland as well. I am thinking about moving from the NYC metro area.

No sales tax in Oregon, anywhere. I think that they only tax income for businesses, not individuals (Portland, not Oregon, which has an income tax.)

 

[ObiDon]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
No sales tax in Oregon, anywhere.

however, ashland has a meals tax on prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages. :Q
i believe it's 5% but i could be mistaken.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: gotsmack

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: NL5

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: KeithTalent
There's no personal income tax in Washington State, which is a bonus.

KT

I wonder how all that tax stuff works for people who live in Vancouver and work in downtown Portland....

You pay Oregon Income Tax.

Is there city tax?

I am interested to know if there is a a city tax for income and sales for Portland as well. I am thinking about moving from the NYC metro area.

No sales tax in Oregon, anywhere. I think that they only tax income for businesses, not individuals (Portland, not Oregon, which has an income tax.)

Can anyone confirm that Portland doesn't have city income tax?

 

[ObiDon]

Originally posted by: buck
Can anyone confirm that Portland doesn't have city income tax?

i work in zip code 97223 and pay no city income tax. only state and federal income tax.

 

[NL5]

Originally posted by: ObiDon

Originally posted by: buck
Can anyone confirm that Portland doesn't have city income tax?

i work in zip code 97223 and pay no city income tax. only state and federal income tax.

If you live in Multnomah County, there is a County tax though - but only if you live there.