We're so nice.
Quoth the New York Times:
"NICE” is an adjective that Portland, Ore., can't seem to shake. But below the fleece-clad and Teva-wearing exterior lurks a cool and refreshingly unneurotic city that marches to its own cosmopolitan beat. Truth is, Portland doesn't want to be Seattle, its highly caffeinated neighbor to the north. With less traffic, better public transportation and Mount Hood in its backyard, this self-styled City of Roses doesn't stand in anybody's shadow. Its vibrant downtown overflows with urban pleasures like chic restaurants, funky nightclubs and spritely neighborhoods crackling with youthful energy, but nobody's boasting. That's another nice thing about Portland.
Read the rest. Discuss.
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April 13, 2007
Posted in in the news 2007. |
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Apr 13, '07
Everyone in Portland must just be beside themselves with such praise from NEW YORK! Nice, oh my gawd!
The covered wagons will be coming again.
Apr 13, '07
This is the kind or article that was probably created through the backstage efforts of some Portlanders with the aim being to get more people to come here to fill all those new condos they are shoving into every nighborhood.
Thanks JK
Apr 13, '07
A little touchy, don't you think? Did you actually read the article? It's from the travel section and it's called "36 hours in Portland, Ore." The word condo only appears once. Of course they also neglected to mention crack pots with conspiracy theories.
Apr 13, '07
Don't know if his domicile has changed since late 2004, but at least as of that date the clown who wrote this lived in Seattle:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=1080
Which at least leads one to wonder if even the "nice" comment was a trademark NW passive-aggressive "compliment".
8:48 p.m.
Apr 13, '07
It seems the NYT sends a reporter to Portland about once every 9-12 months to write a piece like this.
Apr 13, '07
They forgot to mention all the great strip clubs. =)
Apr 13, '07
Do you ever get tired of the kind of people who always like to measure themselves to others, to build themselves up with comparisons, to talk about themselves, to seek every kind of compliment they can acquire, or squeeze out of a comment? Most of the time I like the person who just lives, and well-without making measuring posts.
Apr 13, '07
Jim, don't you know that all the New Yorkers are already on their way here... to ride our shiny new Aerial Tram!
Apr 13, '07
I thought it was a pretty nice piece. But we are just as caffeinated as Seattle.
9:19 a.m.
Apr 14, '07
I moved here from Texas in 1997. It took awhile for Portland to grow on me. I even tried to move back home in 2000, and for the first time could really see the difference. I couldn't wait to get back here. I worked for a bit in Seattle and found it to be a huge mess of traffic and stress. I was in California for awhile, and other than the flowers don't really have any memory of it (that speaks volumes to me). Some times Portland (and Oregon in general) is overly impressed with itself, but other times it blows me away with its people and philosophies. This city is far from perfect, but it really is a nice and special place. It is hard not to take it for granted until you can compare it. Not measure it against other places, because it isn't a contest to me, but compare and know really whether this place works for you or not. If it doesn't, that's fine. If it does, enjoy the appreciation. I actually think that the people who appreciate this city and area the most are folks who are either not originally from here, or left and came back.
Apr 14, '07
You know, it would be a good thing if a bunch of wealthy New York expats come and snatch up all those condos. Better than having em sit unsold. Also - better for local commerce.
12:17 p.m.
Apr 14, '07
Oregonian37:
I too moved here from Texas. However, I don't ever want to go back for more than a visit. I miss the food (Casa Ole, Joe's BBQ in Alvin, Pancho's and Sonic - at least I can get Sonic when I'm out near Beaverton now) and of course my family. There's also those things I can't get at the grocery store, like Mrs. Baird's breads, Blue Bell ice cream, etc.
But 105+ degrees before you add on 10+ degrees for the heat index, hurricanes, tornadoes, really bad storms (like just went through the state and killed some people), horrible racism, etc. -- I can do without that.
I love it here in Oregon and couldn't imagine moving back. But I also don't want to live in Portland. I grew up in a small rural town, and I don't like the big cities. I lived in Houston for a year and hated it. Gresham's as big a city as I can do, and that's only because it was built to appear much smaller than it actually is.
Apr 14, '07
jk,
if you're looking for a conspircy, it's more likely coming from jet blue, who just added a direct flight from new york.
Apr 14, '07
If Portland can be more like NYC in its cultural offerings and diversity, but without any of the actual a-hole New Yorkers themselves, we might actually have a pretty nice place to live.
Apr 15, '07
BlueNote,
Don't you think your wish is difficult to achieve when a great number of Oregonians think poorly of all those "outsiders" that move in from out of state? And for these same xenophobes, heaven forbid if the new people should be non-white.
Apr 15, '07
As a long time Oregonian.. not a Portlander all that time.. I have noticed that we seem to still attract people who are polite, large hearted and unaffected, mostly.
I like most newly-immigrated Oregonians.
The old 1850 reasons for dropping off the potato truck from San Francisco to Seattle still apply in large part; concern for others, concern for the land, and concern for the future.
I am, however, worried that Oregon will be loved to death. Repeal Measure 37.
Apr 15, '07
I guess we need someone from Team Bogdanski to explain why condos are inherently loathsome. No, I don't presently choose to live in one, but I don't see why having the choice is a problem.
Wasn't that item from the NY Times a bit heavy on the donwtown/NW Portland angle? What have they got against the neighborhoods that aren't chock-a-block with trendy boutiques and furniture stores selling three thousand dollar italian leather sofas?
Apr 16, '07
Quote: If Portland can be more like NYC in its cultural offerings and diversity, but without any of the actual a-hole New Yorkers themselves, we might actually have a pretty nice place to live.
Who's the a-hole?
Apr 16, '07
Most of the New Yorkers I've met - I visit there frequently and know a bunch of natives - are great people; dare I say it - "nice" even. No wonder they like Portland so much.
Apr 16, '07
I just posted a response on my blog. 36 Hours in North Portland. Enjoy.
2:14 p.m.
Apr 16, '07
I lived in New York City for ten years. New Yorkers are much friendlier than anyone gives them credit for.
Just don't walk four or five abreast on the sidewalks at 2.5 mph while craning your necks to look at the skyscrapers.
Apr 16, '07