I’ll admit it. My husband and I were among the people who had Portland in sight when we moved to the Pacific Northwest. We went there seeking home brewers and odd-ones and rapid readers, fierce nomads and constant gardeners. We’ve actually found all of those things in Salem.
Basically, we had fallen prey to all the hype — proof, at the very least, that Portlanders have found the means and the language with which to tell their story right to the rest of the country. And now, today, news that a move to Portland may not be all it’s made out to be. In a distinction that is sure to draw much attention and not a single new immigrant to the city, Business Week just named Portland UNHAPPIEST CITY IN AMERICA. The magazine rated 50 U.S. cities on the basis of suicide rates, depression, joblessness, lack of green space, weather, and crime. Within that rubic, the Rose City topped its list.
While some are touting the “Coraline Economy” as a possible savior to the area’s economic woes, the future cannot lie in creatives alone. After all, creative people need jobs to fund their projects. That’s why everyone in Portland is a waitress/barista/retailista in addition to being an artist/writer/filmmaker.
Or, you could just move to Salem and be able to afford the rent on your 1920s hipster cottage.
Salem was supposed to just a short pit-stop on our way to Portland, too. But we are so delighted with what we found here. After a year we bought a house, and have no plans to move for quite some time … and definitely not to Portland!
I still love Portland, but we were definitely looking for a geographic “Sweet Spot” of happiness. Scientists have studied this and determined that people are happiest in cities containing between 75,000-150,000 residents. That’s not Portland, but you know where does fall into that category… drumroll… my new hometown.
Amen to that, sister!
I am from Salem and moved around a lot, but I’m definitely liking the fact that I can afford to live here and yet I’m close to places like Portland. It’s a nice combination.
Let’s start a band. Salem rocks.
OMG! I LOVE YOUR DINING ROOM!!!
Thanks. It’s my Barbie dream kitchen.