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07.27.08, 09:00 AM General Topics
58 replies
I am a life long NYer born and bred-- but I am falling out of love with my city. Just spent a week in portland OR and am seriously thinking of relocating (DH and I are both writers so we really can work anywhere) . It was so much more vibrant and exciting then NYC is these days. Any reccs on nabes that are good for families? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.27.08, 09:00 AM Flag
 

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Congratulations, wish we could leave [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 09:09 AM Flag
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Ah, no. But I also have a Portland fantasy. Also a native NYer, who lived in Seattle for 4.5 yrs. too. Too bad for us, dh is a city worker so tied here :-( Good luck to you! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 09:37 AM Flag
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I agree NY is a tough place in amny ways but Seattle as a city is awful.... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:48 AM Flag
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I love Seattle, too. If we could both find jobs there, we would totally move. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 02:33 PM Flag
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So many people say this now but I don't see it, I am totally in love still but good luck with OR. What about the city do you dislike now [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 09:52 AM Flag
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not op but I am also falling out of love-- the UWS and Soho and Chelsea are now nothing but shopping malls with huge chain stores, all the cool ethnically diverse restaurants, stores and neighborhoods have vanished. Artists who used to flock here are now going to LA, Austin, Philly-- and yes, Portland. The city feels older and more conservative, that young vibrancy is gone. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 09:57 AM Flag
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Really, I think its us and our age it isn't the city. We are older and more conservative. We don't know where to go or hang in groups that have that vibe. People said this in the 80s too and it was very vibrant then. BUT if you feel that way obviously that is what matters! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:04 AM Flag
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The young people I know feel the same way though [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:09 AM Flag
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Frankly, how could a young person now have the perspective to determine what the city was like when they were not even born. When I was a child I didn't love nyc like I love it now. I wanted to get out, go somewhere different, like every teenager feels about their 'boring hometown' [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:13 AM Flag
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I'm also a life-long NY-er -- and I still love the city -- but we don't (and never will) have the $ to live how I'd like to live in NYC. Made the jump to Westchester and I'm very, very happy -- it's an adjustment (and it's not like city-living), but our lives are that much more "comfortable" (not just in terms of $ -- I also mean in terms of "how" we live). I have a tiny family and everyone is in the area and I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving -- but if I did, I'd certainly look into it! GL! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:02 AM Flag
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is westchester SERIOUSLY affordable. with the metro north pass and the taxes? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:03 AM Flag
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More so than NYC! :) I work locally (although with gas these days, that's not such a saver!) and DH commutes. I would have pushed for private school in NYC (although DH would have been flexible about that) -- and that's how I rationalize the taxes! Is it *that* much more affordable...maybe not, but I do think that it's less. Also, not every town is like Chappaqua or Scarsdale -- there are "affordable [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:09 AM Flag
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^^^ there are "affordable" areas with good schools. We lived on the UES and even 4 years later, I can't get over how much more "laid back" it is here (just in terms of "stuff"). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:11 AM Flag
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oh... i see... i would never send my kid to private school so that is a different sitch [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:13 AM Flag
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That's it -- maybe we could have made NYC work, but not how I wanted to do it. (I don't have a problem with public school -- but I went to private in NYC and got so much out of it and it would have been "hard" for me not to send DC there.) I also like to have a doorman and be near-ish to the subway -- and that makes the cost of living so much more. I understand that people are happy without things like that (and may even chose not to have them!), but it wasn't what I wanted. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:19 AM Flag
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i am in the exact same boat.life long ny'er... not in love... but thinking more north east. like portland maine, or hudson... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:02 AM Flag
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My sister *loves" Portland, ME, moved years ago w/ dh who is from NH. They are artists and do *not* have a lot of money, but their kids have an amazing lifestyle, very active and outdoorsy, lots of hanging out w/ friends, own rooms, etc. The negative is, of course, the bitter cold. But that's what keeps it a small city! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:05 AM Flag
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and it is not what i would call a multi-cultural city [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:13 AM Flag
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true, but more than you might think, and also has a sizable gay/lesbian pop. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 06:23 PM Flag
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Every native I have known who has left has been miserable, I hope it works out I m sure it will [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:07 AM Flag
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I don't believe that for a second. I know NO ONE who left NYC who regrets it. I have friends and family who've left in the past 10 years for Boston, Berkeley, New Hampshire, Gainesville, and other places as well and every single one of them is happy. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:35 AM Flag
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gee then I guess we know different people. Not a single person I know who has left has wanted to leave and not one of them is happy outside the city [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:44 AM Flag
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well, we left and it was the biggest mistake of our lives; we are finally back and getting careers back on track; having a house was no big whoop - tons of work; 2 cars; didn't save as much as we thought we would. and we were miserable. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 07:56 AM Flag
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Exactly. House maintenance, cars, gas prices, congested high ways. Groceries are cheaper, though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:00 AM Flag
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that's why i'm coming back! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:22 AM Flag
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That's why I'll never leave. That and this city is in my blood. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 09:38 AM Flag
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Me too but I could never leave. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 10:08 AM Flag
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I think it's telling that the most interesting neighborhood in Portland (NW) is compared to New York City because people walk on the sidewalks and they even sell pizza by the slice. Portland schools had been downsizing because of fewer children. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 12:02 PM Flag
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[ Removed by moderator ] [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 12:12 PM Flag
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I have two NYC friends who are now raising kids in Portland. they both love it! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 12:46 PM Flag
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To each her own. Born and bred also, but fell out of love w/ Manhattan for similar reasons. However, moved to Brooklyn, and love it here. FWIW, was bored out of my skull in Portland, but that was a decade ago, so I guess it has changed since then. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 12:51 PM Flag
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Did you go to college there? In Eastmoreland? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 01:21 PM Flag
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Df is a nyc native, also a writter and just moved to Portland and loves it. She is single and needed a change. Her whole family is still in nyc, but she loves the lifestly in Portland and is going to stay, she had sublet her apt in nyc for a year to give it a try. This friend is 40 and had never lived outsiide of nyc other than college. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 04:12 PM Flag
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I just posted almost the same thing a few nights ago! I am over NYC too but we are looking into moving to Seattle [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.27.08, 06:24 PM Flag
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I would hate the fact that you have to rely on your car for every little thing. I just came back from Portland and I am really glad to be back in NYC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 07:58 AM Flag
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I am a lifelong NY'er as well and am DONE with NYC for good. Moved away and then came back but now have a baby & cannot wait to get out. The whole tri-state area is a problem in terms of affordability but I finally realize what people mean when they say they want a "simple life". Cannot WAIT to be able to hop in a car, get around, and not have to worry about not being able to get out because is raining etc (like yesterday). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:03 AM Flag
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Why would rain stop you from going out? Put on your rain gear and off you go. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:19 AM Flag
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Because I find it to be a HUGE pita. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:23 AM Flag
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You family must be made of sugar. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 09:14 AM Flag
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Or she's a witch. I' mellllltttttiiiinnnngggg! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 09:23 AM Flag
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Yeah, because hopping in a car with kids to go buy milk is so great and easy. And what's the problem with rain? You really don't go out in it? Not slamming the burbs, btw, just your reasoning. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:26 AM Flag
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ITA. I see the benefits of the suburbs, but I go out all year long in Manhattan. I make sure dd is warm and dry and we go to museums, kids classes, kids concerts, playspaces, etc. We walk to the corner for coffee or milk or toiletries. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:28 AM Flag
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Don't get me wrong, I love NYC, but I think there is a long lived misconception about the burbs. I live in Bergen county (Northern NJ)in a town with great public school system (really great) and I can walk to a supermarket, coffee shop, restaurants, town pool, playgrounds, my son's future elementary school, kids classes, etc. I agree, there are many places where I wouldn't want to live - too rural even for me. But there are many many towns that have a lot to offer. Additionally, since I drive a lot and am used to it I am more mobile than my friends who live in NYC. I agree, you can walk to many places in the city, but you are very often stuck within how far you can walk. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.29.08, 12:59 PM Flag
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I rather walk somewhere for an hour than sitting behind the wheel for an hour. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.29.08, 01:47 PM Flag
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Artists and hip people are going to Brooklyn. That's where the actio is nowadays. Or Lower East Side. You find the best food and artsy stuff there. If you live in WV, Tribeca or whatever, you are obviously living in the wrong nabe ($$$$$) to find those things. Before you move to another state, check out Brooklyn. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:38 AM Flag
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Any noted emigration of "artists and hip people", particularly in nyc, has become synonymous w/overcrowded, overvalued areas which lose much of their flavor, appeal and authenticity in the dustcloud of restructuring to accomodate the newcomers. There is nothing hip about being sheep; Exploring, risk taking and traveling less familiar places is ingrained in the art of living. If you're 'hip', you'll realize there is much to experience outside of the tri-state area. xo Native nyc-er with hip, artsy friends ps They all love to visit, have shows and collect $$ here- before exhaling and flying off. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.03.08, 05:52 AM Flag
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so funny, we were just there too. Were we there for the same event? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:41 AM Flag
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OK - but know that you are a cliche. All New Yorkers want to move to Portland Oregon! Always have and always will. Seriously, everyone I know wants to - some have, until they get there, and then they eventually move back. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 08:46 AM Flag
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I thought they all wanted to move to San Francisco? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 09:24 AM Flag
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Wow, seems like everyone who is a little (or a lot) down & out about the city should stay tuned to this blog for the results... Maybe we all just need a little pep talk? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 02:30 PM Flag
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Wow, It seems like everyone who is a little (or a lot) disgruntled about living here should keep tabs on http://parentzing.wordpress.com. Maybe seeing the responses will remind us all of why we loved it here in the first place. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 02:33 PM Flag
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Wow, I think everyone who is a little (or a lot) down & out about the city should keep tabs on this blog: http://parentzing.wordpress.com. Maybe the responses will remind all of us why we loved it here in the first place. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 02:36 PM Flag
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Go where you feel good. No need to stay in one place if you like another place better. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 02:32 PM Flag
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I left NYC after 10 years there (my whole adult life at the time) - I was still in love it with it when I left, but it only took about a month for me to totally love living in CA (Silicon Valley) and now, 3 years later, I wouldn't dream of moving back to NYC. Love the great weather and outdoor activities too much (and I was NEVER an outdoorsy person - it was always too humid or too cold) - and life is just much more laid back - even though I work just as hard. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.28.08, 02:39 PM Flag
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I am totally over NYC, and live in Brooklyn which is better but still have to deal with school issues, cost of living, etc. But I have good friends who moved to Portland from here and now are looking to move back. Main complaints with Portland are that it is too homogenous and hillbilly outside of downtown and people are hillbilly Republicans. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.29.08, 12:26 PM Flag
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Brooklyn IS inn NYC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.29.08, 12:35 PM Flag
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Wow, sorry to hear about your friends' experience. I've seen those people they speak of- in the NWest and in the 5 boroughs too! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.03.08, 05:56 AM Flag
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Look at the n'hoods in Southeast. Or Alberta area (Concordia). You'll miss NY like crazy at first, but Portland has a LOT to offer that you won't find in NY. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 08.03.08, 02:10 AM Flag
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