[stockfire]

Hey, I'm working on a project dealing with Portland and I wanted some input about how the city is perceived by non-Portlanders and what you think are the aspects of the city that you feel are overlooked.

I think i've got a decent grasp on some things from the couple years I've spent in Portland, but I was curious what other people thought.

Thanks.

[sa1177]

At least when travelling on the East Coast (NY and Boston) I have found that many folks don't realize how big of a city Portland is. Most are shocked when I tell them that the Metro Area has a population of almost 2 million people (could be over now I am not aware of current #).

Something else that I find funny...alot of those same people think that Portland is basically made up of Nike and that's about it..they think Nike is all we have out here. Also when you ask them "Waht do you know about Portland.." they say " it rains alot out there and ask isn't Nike based there?"

[B_&_B]

I think non Portlanders think that Oregon/Portland are all a bunch of rednecks... which is far from the truth.

[ColoradoBlazerFan]

Although I've never lived in Portland (grew up in Albany) and haven't lived in the state since high school I do visit it a few times a year on average. My co-workers and I travel all over the country frequently and often talk about different cities and Portland comes up alot as our company headquarters are in Hillsboro.

The #1 general comment about Portland that I have heard over many miles is, "it rains alot there". Portland will never get over this unless global warming get's reaaalll bad. Their impression is exagerated, but you can't argue the fact that it does rain alot.

The next thing I here though is how green and pretty the city and area is. The relationship between green and rain seems lost on most people though...

And the last thing I hear, there's some weird people in Oregon and no shortage of hicks as well. I suppose that's alot better than being know as a gang land area like Oakland though.

Overall though, I'd say the impression of Portland is pretty good relative to other cities. Definately in the top 15 I'd guess.

Peace

[stockfire]

It's odd, beause the annual rainfall in portland is LESS than here in Atlanta, as well as Houston, TX. I guess thats because it rains in buckets in Atlanta, but drizzles more in Portland.

[Oil Can]

Originally Posted by sa1177

Most are shocked when I tell them that the Metro Area has a population of almost 2 million people (could be over now I am not aware of current #).

Portland's CMSA is around 2.25 million.

[sa1177]

Originally Posted by Oil Can

Portland's CMSA is around 2.25 million.

Wow, to many dang Californians moving here.

[Masbee]

Many people from other parts of the country, especially if they have never been here:

Can't place the place. Their geography is all out of whack. Maybe: Think we border Canada; are close to Seattle; are close to San Francisco; if they are aware of some places like Astoria, Cannon Beach, Newport, Ashland, Bend, Crater Lake, Mt. Hood, Gorge, Mt. St. Helens, etc. they think everything is MUCH closer than it is. Want to see it all in a day or two. The size and distances of the Western U.S. in general confound those not familiar with it.

Think it is much smaller and more provincial than it is. Once they have gone from Hillsboro to Gresham and Vancouver to Wilsonville, then they know it isn't a small metro area anymore. Though you can't blame them as many of the changes are recent, when they see the city center, especially the Pearl (and now the South Waterfront) and how "uptown" it is, they realize city has some sophistication.

Think the place is full of rednecks, backwoods racists and hippies. Also, think it is very white, mainstream (basically conservative) family oriented town, where the locals lack ambition.

Have no clue that there are significant Asian and Hispanic communities here. Don't realize how left of center the City is. Or how there is a significant gay community. Or how Portland is one the small handful of "hot" cities for young 20 somethings who pick and leave their hometown to build a new life.

Some still think Portland's ecomony is far more resource based than it really is.

Few realize that Intel, not Nike, is the most important signature, corporate employer in the state. And in that vein, few realize how much hi-tech, software, internet, etc. activity is in Portland.

It is hard to live down the (old) image that we are all lumberjacks, fisherman and small farmers.

Everybody knows it rains here, but fewer know how outstanding the summer weather can be. Or how temperate the overall climate is. Or, that we don't have a lot of bugs, wind or heavy storms.

[Target]

Nearly all of my trips to PDX have been in relation with a health care facility. The professionals I've encountered have always been courteous, and knowledgeable, at least in their field. Of course these trips are usually combined with various retail and or tourist stops. Often I've found many of the untrained workers to be anxious and uncaring. Taxi drivers, clerks, order takers, etc. may know their job and do it routinely , but when they encounter a situation 'outside the box' they become defensive, stop listening, rely on preconceptions and basically seem unable or unwilling to modify their thought processes to accomodate anomolous situations or people. The public that I have dealt with. as soon as they learn I am not from Portland, discover they have better things to do then have dialogue with an outsider. Salem and Eugene/Springfield areas as well as the non-Willamette valley Oregon is completely different in my experience.Being trained in retail customer service I am able to recognize communication flaws and avoid them. I consider the reputation of Portlanders as pleasant people to be a misconception.

It's like a 'good old boy' plan on a massive scale.

My wife and adult children feel the same way.

I'm sure My opinions will be explained away as the Oregon redneck/hick type because I dwell east of the cascades in the 'outlands' as I am so often protrayed by those on this board that do not share my opinions, but I will consider my degradation at the hands of same posters to be an example of aforementioned opinions.

[Oil Can]

Some of the biggest misconceptions I find are:

We are almost a suburb of Seattle
The whole state is green and basically sparsely populated
That it rains 12 months a year and it can be gloomy

[Oil Can]

Originally Posted by sa1177

Wow, to many dang Californians moving here.

Portland metro is expected to go well over 3 million by 2030.

[mediocre man]

People here in Houston tell me that they think this about Portland

1. It rains all the time

2. We are tree huggers and granola eaters

3. Shocked how many people live there

4. More shocked how "white" the city is

5. Couldn't for a minute place it on a map

6. Don't know the difference between Ducks or Beavers

7. View the Blazers as "bad guys"

8. Can't imagine paying that much for a house

9. Can't imagine having a state income tax and no sales tax

10. Commie liberals

[yakbladder]

Originally Posted by Target

It's like a 'good old boy' plan on a massive scale.

Up until the surge of Californians, I'd say that would be true. Native Oregonians in particular, at least the ones I've known and associated with my years here, do not like people from outside the state. Mostly because of the belief, whether correct or incorrect, that they fudge everything up.