Seattle (suburbs), WA vs Portland (suburbs), OR for transitioning?

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Really?  Really?   Same sex marriage is only legal as far as the state.  The feds still don't recognize it.  And pot is still illegal by federal law.

We still have no sales tax.   

[Beth Andrea]

Really?  Really?   Same sex marriage is only legal as far as the state.  The feds still don't recognize it.  And pot is still illegal by federal law.

We still have no sales tax.   

But you do have an income tax...and the state doesn't trust you to pump your own gas!

[Jumpingcats]

Edit: Thank you for the replies.

[Jumpingcats]

Edit:Thank you for the replies.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Here in Portland, we have Intel and Nike.  Google is also not far from here.  Seattle and Portland both have Boeing.

If you stay out of Seattle proper, you can find something inexpensive.  Living in Seattle itself is a lot like San Francisco.  Very expensive.

[Beth Andrea]

Agreed about not living in Seattle proper. Business degrees aren't a problem, you should be able to find work quickly.

The whole world is business, in one form or another. The entire area from about Everett down to Olympia is just bustling...beyond Olympia you have Vancouver (WA) and Portland (just across the Columbia), but you can find one BR's or studios for around $700...probably don't want to go much lower, then you start getting into slumland.

Don't forget I-405, that's where Microsoft et al is.

[Jumpingcats]

Good advice, thanks. Hopefully I can find some roommates that are friendly. Looking like im going to have to do that for a few more years again. 

[MadelineB]

When planning transition you want to live as cheaply as possible. A great thing about both the Seattle and Portland areas is that you can choose to live as cheaply as possible and your very cheapness can be seen as a virtue. NOT spending money is good on the environment, green etc. Heck, you don't even need to eat meat out here; its not considered strange to get your protein from green slimey stuff. But you do have to learn to like coffee or tea. Without caffeine, your life expectancy in the PNW is 3 weeks of sunshine, or about 25 calendar years, whichever comes first.
-Maddie
Portland girl
And to be fair, there's always California where I grew up:
Santa Cruz California has the job situation of Portland and the housing prices of Seattle, but is in one of the weirdest and most beautiful places on earth. Fighting banana slugs, carousels, moody stars...

[sigmafan]

I'll vouch for the friendliness of Seattle, but if you want the best of both worlds, Olympia, Washington is the best place to be.  Friendly people everywhere, pretty cheap to live in, especially Lacey.  And it's just a drive away from both Seattle and Portland.  It truly is the best of both worlds.

[Jumpingcats]

Edit: Edit for privacy. Thank you.

[Shantel]

Doesn't the weather really suck in the pacific northwest?  East coast is better. Besides, its only a matter of time before the whole west coast falls into the ocean.

I think not! Uh - wait, wait, wasn't it you that was sweating a flood not long ago Jaime?

[♥ Dutchess]

I have lived in Both Oregon, and Washington. It is much better up here in Washington. Don't listen to those silly people from Oregon!! 

Pffft

And we have the Trailblazers.  What you got Seattle?  Oh Yeah the Sonics left, didn't they. 

Haha! Pwned! Well they do have the Seahawks...

JC, I'd say depends on how cold you like your weather, cold or colder?

Portland! [As I hesitate moving to Washington myself]

[JohnnieRamona]

Yeah, as a life-long Seahawks fan, that tends to tip the balance in Seattle's favor for me Within the next few years, Seattle is likely to have SIX major pro sports teams (NFL, MLB, MLS, WNBA, NBA, NHL), while Portland will only have the Blazers and the Timbers.

[couch tater]

I think not! Uh - wait, wait, wasn't it you that was sweating a flood not long ago Jaime?

The bad one back in '03 was what spurred me to finally transition plus my house ended up being completely remodeled and raised with the insurance money. The one year before last didn't really do any damage since I was high enough that time.

[Shantel]

The bad one back in '03 was what spurred me to finally transition plus my house ended up being completely remodeled and raised with the insurance money. The one year before last didn't really do any damage since I was high enough that time.

Seattle is situated on seven hills, water runs downhill, we don't have hail the size of baseballs like some places do, no tornadoes or hurricanes, only an occasional high wind, no cockroaches, mild winters. This is of all the places in the world, the nicest place to live and it is reasonably transgender friendly. When will you be moving up here Jamie? 

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

We do have a football team and a baseball team.  OK they are both down in Eugene, but still.

Go Ducks.

[JenniL]

hopefully Seattle's basketball team gets approved. But we now have a women's MLS team

don't let the mild winter thing fool you though. we can get some nasty winters. This year was pretty mild though.  then there is not a state income tax, but there is sales tax. We're close to B.C. Always fun to visit Victoria or Vancouver summers are great but seem to short.

Portland has tax free shopping. they have a basketball team as well. that's all I know about Portland.   going down there today for shopping and basketball lol

seriously both are great places

[Tessa James]

What fun!
I have lived and worked in the Seattle area and in Portland and agree they are wonderful places to live.  Dynamic, vital, progressive and I am treated very nicely even if hardly passable.  Oregon now require "trans care" be provided by all health insurance carriers and that is saving me big bucks in transition, HRT costs and beyond.
Seattle traffic is impossible while Portland can do gridlock but has a great rail/streetcar systems and both cities are premium bicycle towns.
Portland celebrates weirdness and is just the right size as Oregon has some of the best land use laws that protect our great green rainforests and farms from sprawl.
You are looking at great choices in the pacific northwest; good luck.

Tessa James

[♥ Dutchess]

Go Ducks.

Yes! Another Duck fan! woohoo!

Tessa - thank you for reminding me about the trans care requirement 

[Shodan]

I'll put another vote in for Portland, because... well... I happen to live here.