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!