Metamorphosis of Portland the past (10) years (real estate, lofts, condos)

[Supernova7]

I have come across many posts both here and other forums as well as having talked with different people about how much Portland has changed over the years. It appears that in many ways Portland is an entirely new city that has undergone much unnecessary gentrification. This is good for some but very bad for others. My question to you is this; has the gentrification, the growth of the upscale lofts/condos, pretentious/self-absorbed populus, the complexity and sophistication contributed to a better or worse city in your opinion? Do you feel that more people are leaving Portland or staying as a result of so many changes? Do you see a recession coming on as a result of Portland's poor economy balanced with the number of people fighting for jobs?
What about community? Do you feel or have you noticed a sense of community with Portlanders or are people pretty much to themselves, distant and superficial in nature? Does the present cost of living justify Portland as a quality place to live or can you do much better?

All input is welcomed and I thank you for sharing your knowledge and/or experiences.

[oldtintype]

Well, what do your books and the "locals" say?

[musicaldogs]

I have lived in many different towns and cities all across this country. Guess what? EVERYONE complains about how much more crowded THEIR town is getting, EVERYONE is disgruntled about the illegal alien problem, EVERYONE sees their paycheck getting eaten up faster, EVERYONE sees crime on the rise, and EVERYONE blames it on the next neighbor over (next town, state, country, etc.). As a native Californian, I saw the population of my home state triple-maybe even quadruple-in just a few decades, and then it was time to get pushed out. Now the rest of the country is seeing what the coastal towns and cities have been seeing for decades (or longer). I feel that overpopulation is at the root of most problems in the world. There are just too many people for this world to accommodate! It's important that everyone get the word out that it is no longer acceptable to have more than one or two babies, that consuming less and recycling more is crucial, and that the megacorporations need to be held accountable for their greedy, exploitative, polluting ways! Okay, I will step off my soapbox now...

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by musicaldogs

I have lived in many different towns and cities all across this country. Guess what? EVERYONE complains about how much more crowded THEIR town is getting, EVERYONE is disgruntled about the illegal alien problem, EVERYONE sees their paycheck getting eaten up faster, EVERYONE sees crime on the rise, and EVERYONE blames it on the next neighbor over (next town, state, country, etc.). As a native Californian, I saw the population of my home state triple-maybe even quadruple-in just a few decades, and then it was time to get pushed out. Now the rest of the country is seeing what the coastal towns and cities have been seeing for decades (or longer). I feel that overpopulation is at the root of most problems in the world. There are just too many people for this world to accommodate! It's important that everyone get the word out that it is no longer acceptable to have more than one or two babies, that consuming less and recycling more is crucial, and that the megacorporations need to be held accountable for their greedy, exploitative, polluting ways! Okay, I will step off my soapbox now...

You certainly have a point and I can relate with what you're saying. I have lived in several different cities/states and presently have a home in California. I love California but due to the high cost of real-estate am looking to make a move some time next year. Most people I have spoken with enjoy CA very much and are leaving primarily due to the high cost of real estate. I have also found, like you said, many people complain about overpopulation and scapegoat other people for the problems associated with their city. Examples: Crime, homeless, runaways and especially the high cost of living. This is very sad and irresponsible as it only offers a convenient scapegoat from the real problem. You're correct too many people are having children, some unable to care for them and the bigger issue is resources. America is grossly overpopulated and people are at each others throats as is. So where do we go when you have a nation full of superficial people who are content on living their lives playing the blame game, scapegoating others, absorbed in denial and selfish behaviors? Well, I'd say we're continuing down the path of the inevitable. There is a lot of conflict and hatred in America and if being a transplant isn't difficult enough you also have to deal with the "locals" attitudes like they "own" the city/state and hear about how you're destroying their city. The homeless are looked at as criminals and people feel that their home value will decrease with them around. The elderly and diabled are discriminated against when looking for work. The jobs are limited and you have to fight/kill to get a piece of the pie and god forbid you're from California, you'll be blamed for something too. It's not surprising to see how many people are looking for the same thing and not able to find it in America. Portland as an example has undergone massive changes according to people who lived there before and have moved on. It always makes you wonder why so many people flock in droves to a location in the U.S. and later discover that it wasn't what they had expected.

[musicaldogs]

Thanks for that great response to my post!

[magpie5]

uh-oh! more thinly-veiled criticisms of portland from the-one-who's-never-been-to-portland! beware beware!

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by musicaldogs

Thanks for that great response to my post!

You're most welcome Nice to see some manners and intelligence for a change on these forums.

[insanityincredibly]

Intelligence is relative....

[Squidlo]

Since I moved away less than a year ago, I can elaborate some. Unnecessary gentrification? I don't think it was forced as much inevitable. We set the urban growth boundary and left it for far too long. In the name of good "planning", to force population density and prevent "sprawl". Home values began to climb. Undervalued historic areas with much deferred maintenance are prime for "revitalization". Unfortunately the people living in those areas were/are being displaced and many forced into multifamily living situations. A lot of this type of housing I wouldn't kennel dogs in.

As far as the economy goes the damage was done years ago. Lots of smart folks in Oregon, lets see about creating some jobs and a stable economy. Personally I don't ever want to hear Oregon's governor speak unless its to tell Oregon that the state has attracted industries that will employ the good people of the state.

I've stated in a previous post that I hoped that Portland would shine like a bug lamp in the night, for the type of people who like the place that Portland is now. I hope that it will satisfy them enough to not need to recreate it somewhere else.


Squidlo

[Lillietta]

[Do you feel or have you noticed a sense of community with Portlanders or are people pretty much to themselves, distant and superficial in nature? Does the present cost of living justify Portland as a quality place to live or can you do much better?

This cannot be answered at the present time because it is in a state of flux. I find it a very quality place to live which is why I am moving there. OldTinType loves the changes she has experienced in the what? 16 years she has lived there. Anyway, this is just an old theme with a negative intent which is getting old and stale. We had a nice breather for a couple of days.