Portland Oregon Sucks: A Special Damp Level of Hell
When my employer at the time announced they were closing the Colorado office and relocating most employees to Portland, Oregon I actually looked forward to it. I'd long been thinking about moving to a new city just to try it out and several people told me I'd like Portland. I was optimistic all during the planning and the move, but not long after arriving in town I came to the harsh realization that Portland, Oregon sucks as a place to live. I know that putting this out there will generate some harsh words for me, likely from Portland natives and I'm fine with that. If I can save just one person the grief and pain of living in Portland Oregon I will have done my job with this page.
OK, so I've taken some heat from some folks for what they perceive as Houston-bashing or Texas-bashing. Hey, after ten years living on the Texas Gulf Coast, I think I know of what I speak when I say "Houston sucks" or "Texas sucks". In the interest of fairness, I will say that I do miss Austin...and I could still live there if it wasn't for the rest of Texas. This is my sandbox, after all, and if I want to say it, it's gonna get said. Capice?? Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to gratuitously piss anyone off, but this is where express myself, opinionize, and/or just plain vent. If I don't like something, I may just express myself here. You don't have to like it, but if you don't it's not as if I'm going to change my mind.
The reality is that Houston sucks. Then again, if you take away the humidity, the mosquitoes, the traffic, the ridiculous distances between just about anything, the barbaric state-sponsored murders, and Republicans...well, Houston just might be this side of Paradise. But what do I know?? I'm just a (&^%$#@ Yankee turncoat, right??
I thought this post was interesting from the standpoint that their opinion of Portland is the exact polar opposite of mine. Eh...to each his own, right? I love Portland, and this is where I feel at home. No, it's not Paradise, and even Portland has it's issues (Have you looked at the median housing price lately? Yikes....). Really, though...if you think Portland has traffic problems...well, you clearly haven't spent any time in Houston. Even so, there are still folks who think that Portland sucks. Hey, it's a free country....
We all appreciate places for different reasons, and I've always believed in the power of place. In my case, Portland is home. It's where I've felt comfortable and at home. I tried to do that in Houston for ten years, and ended up being miserable despite my efforts. I don't expect anyone to agree with me or move here. If you resent me occasionally airing my dislike for Houston (and Texas), WWJD might not be for you...and that's OK. Like I said, I'm not trying to piss anyone off, but these are my opinions...and if I choose to let them out to play...well, I'm paying the freight here.
You may think that Houston (and, by extension, Texas) is God's country. Hey, more power to you. I frankly can't stomach the place, and I haven't missed it since I left. Oh, their are some things I miss- TexMex, Astros games, good country music, college football- but on balance, I'll take Portland. OK, so the Mexican food does suck...but if you're moving here for Mexican food, you might want to consider seeking professional help. NOW.
