The "Employment Underutilization Rate" in Portland (rent, crime)

[ukiyo-e]

Grim. The posters that keep warning folks not to come to Portland without a job should be heeded:

The real misery rate: 24 percent

[Disembodied]

Oh no...

[LeftCoastee]

Some positive news: Oregon exports surge in Q2 - OregonLive.com

[ukiyo-e]

That's great news. I especially liked the last line:

"And exports to Swaziland, sporadic in the best of times, remained flat at zero."

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by angelbug

That's great news. I especially liked the last line:

"And exports to Swaziland, sporadic in the best of times, remained flat at zero."

Apparently, Swaziland doesn't enjoy our fine microbrews as much as they used to!

[LeftCoastee]

There's real irony here. China is now the leading foreign export market for Oregon, surpassing Canada from the previous year. I wonder if my decisions to limit the amount of "made in China" products I buy could come back to haunt me?

California is the leading domestic export market. I hesitate to even mention "California" here.

These two entities, despised by many, are a big part of our economy.

[Minervah]

I read this article too. Reading it won't discourage people from moving here though. So many think they can beat the odds. It never ceases to amaze me how people think they will be the exception and their lives will turn out just fine with a job, cheap rent in a great neighborhood and the best schools for their kids.

[Disembodied]

I'm getting discouraged.

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by Disembodied

I'm getting discouraged.

In spite of the fact that I can take my job with me wherever I decide to relocate, the bad economy in Portland is a deterrent to me because I think it potentially impacts the quality of life in many ways unrelated to my working situation - things like possible increased crime and homelessness, reduced city services, unstable property values if I decided to purchase a home, the strain on small businesses, etc. I'm not saying it would completely dissaude me, because I have many good friends in Portland so the social scene there would be far better for me than it is where I live now, but it's something I consider when making my decision.

[AnotherPDXGuy]

The troubled job situation here is palpable right now.

The fact is that even before this current economic swoon, many skilled people were underemployed here. There's just less of an economy than in Seattle or many California locations. This is a boutique city. I'd say especially for super ambitious types, young MBA's and the like, this is not the place to start your career path if you want to make it big in the world. But many people are more interested in the lifestyle aspect and can handle a pay cut to enjoy the city, and that's fine too. That's basically where I'm at right now.