ohsu

so portland people: give me the dirt on what's good in portland, where nice places to live are, whatever. if there are any portland people here. because it seems we'll be goin' there
we're really happy just to know where we're going. we're also realizing how much we want to do this... it's good to know that we're both happy enough with each other to be fully excited about living together.... it will be full of challenges, and all i can hope for is both of us giving our best.

yay ohsu

[BonBon]

YAY!!! Congratulations to you both! Nellie may be able to point you in the right direction re: Portland. Her family is moving there this summer.

Go out and celebrate!

Congratulations, Gravity! That must be a huge relief to both of you!

-Esther

[Flynn]

Congrats! It must be so nice to KNOW!!! I don't have specifics about Portland but I can tell you it's a GREAT town. You will have a ball exploring!!!

Let me know if you want some help with how to get through the first winter and what clothes you will actually use. You are going to a place where there really aren't four seasons. It mistifies some Mid-westeners! While I am biased -- I LOVE the Northwest.

Have fun and enjoy this time!

Flynn, I will need your clothing advice. I just keep hearing "goretex, lots of goretex" from NW natives.

gravity -- we are moving to Portland (PDX, for those in the know) in, gulp, 5 weeks. I've visited there three times in the last few years and love it there. It's a great city and I think will be a great place to live.

We've bought a house, are you going to rent or buy? There are some great places to live very close to OHSU. The city is broken into 4 quadrants: NW, SW, SE, NE and each has it's own personality. The Willamette river is the east/west divider. The NW and SW areas would be closest to OHSU -- and very close to downtown and highway access depending on where you will work. The NE and SE neighborhoods are great too (NE is a little rougher around the edges but probably less $$ as a result) but your BF would have to cross a bridge to get to OHSU. Not a huge deal, but that does add to the commute time.

real estate: http://www.rmls.com
apartments: http://www.apmportland.com, http://www.aptselector.com/portland, http://www.rent.net
(the apt websites are per DH's OHSU info -- I haven't looked at them)

My favorite Portland guidebook is Best Places: Portland. Another, albeit different, book about Portland is Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon by Chuck Palahniuk (of Fight Club fame).

Some websites:
http://www.portland.citysearch.com
http://www.pova.com (pdx visitors assn)
http://www.pdxchamber.com (chamber of commerce, not terribly helpful, imo)
http://www.oregonbeer.com (great microbrews if you like beer)
http://www.oregonlive.com
http://www.trimet.org (public transportation -- GREAT for a city on the west coast)
http://www.powellsbooks.com -- their walking tour of downtown is *so* fun and a great way to see the city. And they are an independent bookstore, gotta love that.


A few other things....big employers are Nike, Intel, others I can't think of right now (sorry), it is really easy to get around by bike and the city (and drivers) are very biker friendly, running trails abound, great restaurants, the city has a funky urban feel without being too big. The closest beach is 75 miles from the city and the Oregon coast is beautiful. Mt. Hood is close by -- skiing (wet snow but supposed to be good). Tons of outdoor stuff to do -- just be ready to get rained on.

The residency program has sent some helpful information in the mail. Hopefully they do the same for med students? There is a intern/resident significant others association -- you could check to see if there is one for medical students.

Congratulations! I think Portland is a great city!

halp

i would love some help as to what clothes i'll actually use-- i work at REI (which i'm sure you're familiar with, Flynn ), so i know what clothes to tell people to bring to such places, but living somewhere and camping somewhere are very different. i've never lived in a place that rains as much as it does there, and for so long. so yes: what do you find vital? also, advice on living stuff is most welcome, from anyone. any tips on how to get along in your first however-long living in a place with a significant other? anything i should do that would be helpful to him, given this is his first year and we'll be together? anything else? let's just say, i need advice on how-and-where-to-live-in-portland-with-your-M1-boyfriend, and what to do with yourself when your boyfriend is up to his ears studying. In portland.
thanks for all your congratulations-- i'm really, really glad that i have this, and all of you. seriously. it brings me genuine and real comfort knowing that this forum is here.

You have to go to the Tao of Tea! When I was visiting a few years ago, it was a very cute teahouse with yummy desserts. I think it has expanded since then, but I bet the tea's still great.

[Flynn]

Hey Guys,

A couple things to think about (sorry if you already know this!)...

While we do have winter, it rarely ever gets below freezing, so if we do have snow it will be about two inches and the news will call it the "WINTER STORM OF THE YEAR." Very dramatic and silly in my opinion. The city will be in chaos until it all melts at noon. You rarely will have to scrape your car wait for the defroster in the morning. It just doesn't get that cold normally.

So...parkas, and heavy boots and gloves won't be used unless you head into the mountains. My DH is from Minnesota so all his winter gear was obsolete when he moved here and little by little we have updated his winter wardrobe to fit the area.

What I use almost all year round but for sure in the winter:
1.) a waterproof shell (you will use this all year round) -- don't mess around with this. Spend the money and get one that is at least medium quality. REI is a good source and Lands End usually has some good deals There is also the old stand by of North Face, Patagonia, or Helly Hansen. These are more pricey though.

2.) one pair of gortex shoes you can go to the grocery store in, or take a walk on a rainy day in (I like the Lowa brand but there are lots of choices). I have two pairs of Gortex shoes, a high top almost hiking boot type and a low top I can wear with almost anything not dressy.

3.) At least one fleece jacket (layered under your shell it is your winter attire).

4.) At least one fleece vest (with a sweater under it, this might get you to November before you switch to a jacket and shell). I know people who have at least 10 fleece vests of various weights because they wear them all the time!

5.) Slim wool socks (I really like the "smart wool" brand but ask an REI person for the best deal at the time).

6.) baseball caps (under a shell, this is a great way to keep the rain off the face when you are having a casual day -- especially if you wear glasses like my DH does)


So these are the basics. Most Northwesterners don't use umbrellas all that often unless you are wearing dressy or very professional clothes.

Also, despite the mild temperatures, staying dry is important up here. If it's 45 degrees on a December afternoon and it rains and your feet get wet, you are going to be chilled and uncomfortable until you change more than likely -- unless you have fleece and wool on. When they get wet, they still keep you almost as warm as they are when they are dry.

Finally, if you are a backpack user, you will want to get the rain flap or exchange yours for one that is at least water resistant.

Well, that's how you get through a winter here. It's also good to stay active and not be daunted by how dark it gets so soon in the winter. It's a great time to sip something hot and read a good book!

My favorite time of year here is August through early October and my favorite month is September by far!!! Our summers (if it doesn't rain too much) are awesome. The temperatures range from 65 - 85. Rarely does it get hotter than that! Since there is little to no humidity, you can always find relief in the shade if you are overheated!

Other than shorts I wear most of my clothes all year round and you will see people in shorts and a wool sweater in December in the NW all the time. They are the die hard NWesterners!!

If you have specific questions please feel free to ask. You are going to LOVE this area but it doesn't hurt to be prepared!!

[Flynn]

Oh, and are either of you skiiers?
You have to give Mt. Bachelor a whirl before this whole experience is over and stay in Bend. It's a very cute town with lots of shops and Micro -brew bars.

GRAAAVITY!! OH MY GOSH! YAAAAY!

I'm so excited for you! We have not heard back today but the mail is still not here so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

When do you guys plan on moving out here? Yaaay! You'll be close to me! You can email me if you want, I have TONS of PDX information for us med school women and would love to share! segould@xsmail.com

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

::laughs:: I work at an REI-- i work at one down here in california, and if all goes well, i'll be doing an internal transfer up to the portland one. so, to all folks in portland (mrsG-- you'll hear soon, and i've got all my fingers crossed for you-- we have a coffee date, remember? ), come and see me at REI.

[Flynn]

Perfect! You can outfit all the new NWesterners!!!!!! (and make your boss happy!)