Moving to Portland(Need info on Weather, Schools) (fit in, sales)

[go4sam]

All

I have opportunity with in my company to move to Portland for promotion with in my company. Currently I am based out of Los Angeles.

What I am looking for is

1) How are the schools there compare to schools in California. (Currently my son goes to 2nd Grade in one of the top public schools here).

I would like to move to city whichever has the good school and open to little longer commute if necessary to work. Can you make some recommendation on top public schools in and around Portland.

2) I heard it rains lot in Portland, that might be some concern for me. Does it rain throughout the day most of the time or once in while in a day on average?.

3) How is the job market there in general for IT field?.

Any thing that I need to be careful or should know about moving here.

Appreciate your input and advice.

Thanks

[Spec 1]

Can't comment on schooling or the IT feild, but weather is definitely rainy. From now until May it will be raining practically non-stop. The rain is not heavy usually, but very light and may start/stop all day long. It is gloomy this time of year, but if you can get past the constantly wet outdoors and gray skies you will enjoy it.

Summer makes me want to stay here forever.
Winter makes me want to go far, far away.

[philwithbeard]

Not only the rain, but constant cloud-cover gray, overcast no sun for days at a time. Entire Pacific North West is like that. Some people are affected by what is called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) Google It. Lack of sunlight and reduction in Vitamin-D production in your body. Many can overcome with just socializing with friends, or just going out in rain anyway.

I am new to Oregon myself. But I have seen wet drizzle lasting many, many hours. Too wet for no rain protection, rain too light for umbrella, too chilly for light rain coat, and not cold enough for winter gear. The big thing you will notice, I think, is LA aggressive style driving won't work with Oregon's wet and damp roads during the winter.

Do look at a globe to see how close Portland is to arctic circle, and look for other major cities which are as close or closer. Weather not bitter cold winter due to Pacific ocean currents.

BTW: job market for IT people is totally saturated. Lots of unemployed. Do not move here on a whim and hope for a good job. You need to understand this is Portland, and Portland is unique. Not typical suburban cookie cutter town. Unemployment is bad everywhere in USA.

If Portland is to your liking, and you are sure you will fit into it's special blend of urban and outdoor wilderness lifestyle, then you will love this town. You can actually survive using mass transportation. I am down to about 5 weeks on a tank of gas for my car. Going for 6 weeks next goal.

BTW: I have read other threads on this forum about the cultural shock LA people (who have only lived in LA area) have experienced on first coming to Portland area. Example: State Law, you cannot pump you own gas for your car. No self-serve gas stations. Also, no sales tax, but Property taxes will give you a heart attack. Portland City is politically very Liberal.

Phil

[Nell Plotts]

Reading between the lines I gather you will be an IT Manager. Assuming that, when it comes time to fill a position you should have lots of qualified candidates. As you know the skills set in IT is very specific so, as usual "It depends".

Passing up a promotion often has consequences, don't do that because of weather - anywhere. [I am a retired HR Specialist, this is not an off hand remark.]

Yes it rains and we have lots of cloudy days. Find a home with lots of natural light. Off setting that is the fact that outdoor activities are close at hand, just dress for the weather.

There is a website with school test scores (the link in on the board somewhere), I think you will find a school that meets your expectations.

[h8n]

Sure it rains a lot & is grey. If you live by the sun, the NW is not the place for you. I'm a strong type A personality who stayed stressed out the 4 years I moved back to Texas. I moved back to the NW because the grey skies which cause some people to get depressed make me more laid back & less stressed. I love the rain!!!!!

As for the jobs, if that is really a question Portland is not the place for you. I would have given anything to move to Portland, but I chose Seattle because the tech jobs exist. If you are making 130k in Cali in IT, you can expect to make 60k in Portland for the EXACT SAME JOB. There is a large number of unemployed techies in Portland & very few large employers. However, whereas companies in Portland pay less they also value work-life balance. This is one of the benefits they offer when hiring..... casual dress, short hours, layed back work, etc.

[Minervah]

However, whereas companies in Portland pay less they also value work-life balance. This is one of the benefits they offer when hiring..... casual dress, short hours, layed back work, etc

Some but certainly not all.

[Sprightly]

go4sam, the only aspect I can address in your question is the weather. I do have seasonal affective disorder and this time of year is very difficult. I first discovered it the when I moved 1000 miles north in the fall from about the same latitude you are looking at.

If this promotion is important for your future I wouldn't let weather stop me, just be mindful that if you get depression symptoms and start becoming obsessed with the sun you might have it and there's steps you can take to deal with it like light boxes, Vitamin D, deliberate outdoor activities every day, etc.

[go4sam]

All,

Thanks for your input and time. Sorry for my late response, Appreciate the help. So in summary it looks like it will be big transition from California to Portland. I am especially worried about my daughter(5 years) who has Asthma and one of triggers for Ashtma is Cold. In winters in LA, we tend to be very careful with chilly cold sometimes.

I am also worried about the IT jobs here, in case I loose job in future.

Thanks Again.
Sam

[go4sam]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Reading between the lines I gather you will be an IT Manager. Assuming that, when it comes time to fill a position you should have lots of qualified candidates. As you know the skills set in IT is very specific so, as usual "It depends".

Passing up a promotion often has consequences, don't do that because of weather - anywhere. [I am a retired HR Specialist, this is not an off hand remark.]

Yes it rains and we have lots of cloudy days. Find a home with lots of natural light. Off setting that is the fact that outdoor activities are close at hand, just dress for the weather.

There is a website with school test scores (the link in on the board somewhere), I think you will find a school that meets your expectations.

Nell - Yes, I am IT Manager. Thanks for your suggestion on finding home with lot of sunlight. Mostly i will be renting in Portland.

[go4sam]

Originally Posted by Sprightly

go4sam, the only aspect I can address in your question is the weather. I do have seasonal affective disorder and this time of year is very difficult. I first discovered it the when I moved 1000 miles north in the fall from about the same latitude you are looking at.

If this promotion is important for your future I wouldn't let weather stop me, just be mindful that if you get depression symptoms and start becoming obsessed with the sun you might have it and there's steps you can take to deal with it like light boxes, Vitamin D, deliberate outdoor activities every day, etc.

Sure, Thanks for sharing the tip.