> The place was filthy and dilapidated

I can't say it seems any more so than other large cities I've visited, like SF, Seattle, or LA. What are you comparing it to?

> Seeing people covered in tattoos and piercings gets old and tiresome for some reason.

Yeah, if this isn't your thing the Portland might be wrong for you ;) Still, there are suburbs and such where this isn't the norm.

Are you sure you're thinking of Portland? Portland is consistently named one of (if not THE) America's cleanest cities. http://www.google.com/search?q=americas+cleanest+city

What are you comparing it against?

Plano, Texas (and surrounding areas: Frisco, North Dallas, Richardson, Allen). I live in Seattle now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plano,_Texas

Man, if Portland was anything like Plano, I'd leave here faster than anyone. I grew up in Austin with cousins in Plano and while it was certainly clean, it was the most soulless, character-less place I have EVER been. Thank FSM we're not anything remotely like that place.

So let me get his straight, you are comparing Plano, a town with a population of roughly 250,000 people, that was named the wealthiest city in America (per your own link), with Portland.

I might as well compare it to my tiny hometown in orange county, of course I'm going to reach a ridiculous conclusion about it's employment level and cleanliness (and tattoo level?) I think you would hate SF btw.

No, I'm comparing it with Plano and surrounding areas, which is larger than Portland. There are aspects of SF I like, I've been. The problem is the housing costs. It's just much cheaper to live in the DFW area. And not only is it cheaper, you can buy a new home that's much larger compared to what one could buy in Portland or SF. Even in Seattle, the houses here are very old, small, and expensive. Some people like that style of home, it's just not me. What I do like about Portland, SF, and Seattle is the geek culture.

> Seeing people covered in tattoos and piercings gets old and tiresome for some reason.

"For some reason"? This sort of willful cognitive dissonance is always fascinating to see in the wild.

Here's a hint: it's either you, or it's them.

dunno what you're talking about. Portland is not filthy and dilapidated.

I guarantee that if you like what Plano represents, you'll hate what Portland represents, and that the feeling is mutual. But you'd probably like Lake Oswego or Beaverton. I'm surprised you like Seattle, for that matter, unless you're actually living in the suburbs and not telling us.