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Portland! The place to be?
Newby to Portland in search of opinions, feedback, testimonials. I arrived at PDX from Bangkok on May 20th and could use a little local wisdom about where to look for housing and how to avoid problems. I have never been to Portland before and I don’t know anyone in the area. I am traveling with my dog (Jack), so I guess I am technically not “alone”, but I don’t think that Jack will provide much in the way of good advice.
As a result of a bicycle accident, I am recovering from a severe head injury, and on disability, so not working or looking for work. Hoping to find a place where I can bicycle without a repeat of this, and am hoping that Portland is that place. I am not really able to operate a motor vehicle any longer, partly due to my injuries (but mostly because they emit CO2), so I am looking for an area where biking/walking/public transit can be sole transport. I am not getting rich on disability, so the area also needs to be affordable. My biggest concern is finding low cost housing in a relatively safe area. I actually prefer to live in a more rural area, but that would seem to require getting a car. Mmmm… Being in a gay neighborhood would be nice, but I know that this is likely to exceed my finances. Having Jack with me does not help much when looking for an apartment. I’m hoping to find a studio for around $400-500. I know that this is not too likely in any decent area of Portland. Maybe Vancouver? I am also open to a roomate situation, but so far have not had any success with finding anyone willing to even talk to me being on disability and with a full size dog. Anybody have any suggestions? I would love to hear any ideas/thoughts. -Bondage47
May 23, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Welcome to Portland, Bondage47… and Jack!!!
and nice pics of you both!
Your post bespeaks of a genuine impulse to get somewhat grounded in this sometimes crazy town, and also serves as a a great introduction to You, for portland.
You will prolly get better and more “advice” from Jack than from me, but a few rambling observations follow.
Portland, as you may have already discovered, does not have a cultivated gay hood on the scale of cap hill in seattle, or weho in la… in part because of our smaller scale perhaps… in part due to a greater spirit of independence maybe. I would like to think it is that spirit of independence that lends a less than “down home hospility” that you might also already experienced in town. (But further thoughts on that at another time.)
More trendy than gay, of course is the area of NW 23rd, and priced accordingly. Your situation reminds me a lil of Wonko, who moved here from Texas to Washougal Wa, a little town east of Portland, in search of paradise. He did not find it there, being a bit remote, and due in part to an intollerable domestic situation…. but did, at last report, find something approaching paradise in Alberta Arts Neighborhood in NE Portland….. i looked for a good link but couldn’t find one worthy of posting, so please do a quick google if interested. There seem to be some great old houses divided up into studios, affordably rented, and the hood itself beats the burbs, where i presently reside. Naturally, Jack presents something of a challenge, but portland is a big Dog town, and about as bike friendly as any city i can think of in the u.s.
If you are on computer much you prolly already know gaydotcrap (gay.com) portland rooms, and imho there still exist a few humanesque souls that abide there. You are welcome to jump into #gayportland, EFnet, IRC, for a more intimate discussion… provided that someone is home at the time:)
I hope portland proves to be “the place to be” for you, as your post suggests you are a welcome addition to portland!
May 23, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Welcome to Portland, Oregon. –Shalom.