A huge thank you to all of you wonderful anonymous people who have provided kind words, job interview pointers, and moral support in the wee hours of the morning. My personal marriage hell is document in other posts here on Love Shack.
So now, for the first time in a really long time, things are almost looking up for me. I sort of hate to say that. I don't want to jinx anything.
In any case, I have a second interview for my dream job coming up. If I get it I will be forced to pick which of the organization's office I want to work out of: Davis California, or Portland Oregon.
I have some experience with Portland, and feel generally comfortable there, know my way around, etc.
Davis, however, I don't know at all.
Can anyone who is familiar with one or both cities shed some light on how they compare?
Specifically, I'm interested in cost of living, real estate prices, and also the presence (or absence) of a large Asian community.
Thanks in advance! And please send me more positive energy! I could really use a new start in life!
I would be able to help you out more if you told me where you're from. I typed a long post originally but I'll save that based on where you're moving from. I moved to the area almost 2 years ago from across the country, so this is my view.
First, Portland has an extensive Asian community. There should be no real concerns there.
Real estate here is absolutely ridiculous. Again, from what I know. People from California would tell you differently. What would buy me a 2-story, 4 bedroom house with a garage in the midwest will get you a crappy 3 tiny bedroom ranch here. So, have no expectations and you wont be disappointed.
Cost of living isn't too bad. Some things are very cheap here, like a lot of the food. Gas is average. Rent in the city is ridiculous, outside the city can be pretty reasonable, but a bit higher than I was used to.
There's also a big hippie community. If you have a Subaru Outback and like yarn and potato sack clothing, this'll be heaven for you.
People are pretty cold and distant here, but nice on the surface.
__________________ I am scared of the things a comin', and I want for the things I don't have, Cannot stand to be one of many, I'm not what they are... Guster
Congratulations on the exciting new opportunities! I don't know Portland at all but Davis is right near me.
It is a great college town. Really agricultural. The actual city of Davis is small and you can go anywhere in the city on a bike.
The cost of housing is high compared to the Midwest but Sacramento (about 20 -25 minutes from Davis) was hit hard in the foreclosure mess and the cost of housing has gone WAY down. Rents are going up though. Price example: Brand new, really modern loft on the river near the Sacramento River Cat stadium is offered at $299,000. Older 3 bed/2 bath home can be found for under $250,000.
Davis is about an hour away from San Francisco that has a wonderful Asian community. And the other direction about 2 hours away from fantastic skiing.
Summers are hot here - completely different weather than Portland.
I absolutely love tihs area! A lot of people complain that there still isn't a lot to do (nightlife) but it is getting better.
I am familiar with both Davis and Portland. The cost of living may be a little higher than average in both but it's definitely now bad. A lot of people are relocating to both cities from the Bay Area, CA.
I absolutely LOVE Portland. It's beautiful, has great food, music, art and nature. I am not sure about the housing market but I do know several young Portland transplants who have been treated well by the Portland economy. There is a decent Asian population there, as well as a variety of other cultures and races.
Davis on the other hand I do not like. I was considering going to college there but after visiting it I said no way. It's basically a cow/farm collage town in the middle of nowhere. The college there (UC Davis) is a good school and attracts a variety of students, there is a small Asian community there but it's mostly made of the UC students. It's pretty affordable and safe but boring and smells like cow poop, seriously, it does.
I think it depends on what sort of lifestyle you're looking for, I'm sure you could be happy in both places. In my personal opinion I would recommend Portland
__________________
the problem with logic is there's too many loopholes
and the problem with truth is that it's usually brutal
Sacramento is about 15 miles from Davis. To work in Davis, you do NOT have to live there... although many people do and love it. I know tons of people who work at UC Davis and live in Sacramento.
I'm familiar with both Sacramento and Portland. Portland is awesome, but so is Sacramento. Cost of living in Sacramento has gone WAY down in recent years, and the location can't be beat - it's the state's capital, a growing metropolis yet still small enough to have a community feel, and it's literally in the middle between Lake Tahoe and San Francisco.
PM me if you want more details.
__________________
...and I feel like I'm naked in front of a crowd,
'cause these words are my diary screaming out loud,
and I know that you'll use them however you want to...
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