Art & Nature: Portland or Eugene?

[mariatherese]

Hi all. I've been researching a move from Michigan to Oregon for quite some time. I've learned so much about your wonderful state already and I can't wait to go!

Portland sounds so interesting and vibrant, I want to move there, but I am not a city girl! I'm worried it might be to much for me- I spent the last 2 years here in the Detroit suburbs and I hate it! I'm moving back up to rural northern MI to be near family for awhile.

And Eugene sounds great, too- smaller and not urban.

I want to move out west for many reasons. One is that I want the chance to work as an artist- designer, filmmaker- in a place that has enough nature to keep me happy (here in MI it's either nature or city, no inbetween). I know Portland has a great design scene, but what if I'm not happy! Is it too much city (traffic, unfriendly people, crime, decay)? Or... if I decide on Eugene, is the art scene in too small there?

[T.S.]

Originally Posted by mariatherese

Hi all. I've been researching a move from Michigan to Oregon for quite some time. I've learned so much about your wonderful state already and I can't wait to go!

Portland sounds so interesting and vibrant, I want to move there, but I am not a city girl! I'm worried it might be to much for me- I spent the last 2 years here in the Detroit suburbs and I hate it! I'm moving back up to rural northern MI to be near family for awhile.

And Eugene sounds great, too- smaller and not urban.

I want to move out west for many reasons. One is that I want the chance to work as an artist- designer, filmmaker- in a place that has enough nature to keep me happy (here in MI it's either nature or city, no inbetween). I know Portland has a great design scene, but what if I'm not happy! Is it too much city (traffic, unfriendly people, crime, decay)? Or... if I decide on Eugene, is the art scene in too small there?

I would suggest moving to Portland and seeing if you like it. If it turns out to be too much city for you, it will then be much easier to drive around and look at new areas until you find one that you like better. From what I have read the Portland area has some strict rules and boundries on growth and sprawl, so it is supposed to be different from most large american cities in that aspect. There is supposed to be much undeveloped land not too far outside the city where suburbs would normally be in Detroit and most other places. Portland has also been ranked as one of the top bike friendly cities in the country.

[PDXnative]

Originally Posted by mariatherese

Hi all. I've been researching a move from Michigan to Oregon for quite some time. I've learned so much about your wonderful state already and I can't wait to go!

Portland sounds so interesting and vibrant, I want to move there, but I am not a city girl! I'm worried it might be to much for me- I spent the last 2 years here in the Detroit suburbs and I hate it! I'm moving back up to rural northern MI to be near family for awhile.

And Eugene sounds great, too- smaller and not urban.

I want to move out west for many reasons. One is that I want the chance to work as an artist- designer, filmmaker- in a place that has enough nature to keep me happy (here in MI it's either nature or city, no inbetween). I know Portland has a great design scene, but what if I'm not happy! Is it too much city (traffic, unfriendly people, crime, decay)? Or... if I decide on Eugene, is the art scene in too small there?

Eugene has many artists, as well. You might enjoy it there. Portland has TONS of artists in all art forms, but it may be a bit big for you, or you may find it refreshing and exciting. I would check out both. They are only 1.5 hours apart. In Portland, there is an event called "First Thursday's" where the first thursday of each month, all of the art galleries in the Pearl district stay open late and offer berr and wine and is a fun time.