I may not win the popular vote, but NO. That is NOT how we "do it out there anyway".

Portland is one of the least affordable places to live in the country. I pay $1,350 rent for my place. If you want to share rent with others, expect competition, and expect to compromise. Also, expect to commute. Gas costs a lot, and public transportation helps, but you won't find scenic communal living and be able to afford it, unless you get lucky. As in, winning Powerball lucky. This isn't Woodstock in the 60's. We are more like the cool little brother of Seattle, another least affordable place to live in the country.

And expect a brisk reality check about our current job market. In short, it sucks. We are on the worst ecomonic standard list, too.

So, expect great people who might be willing to help for a little while. Expect fun things to do, and in a couple months, the most beautiful weather and place to live.

But also know that you may have a really hard time finding jobs that 1) you like, 2) pay your bills, 3) have anything to do with windpower or your desired field of industry.

Are you seriously moving here with no jobs and no place to live? Do you know people here? Do you have tribe friends who have agreed to carry you, or can you afford to carry yourselves for a while?

I am sorry to sound so down, but the current cost of living and economic realities here are harsh. Beware.

Still.... I love my city. But I'd not take this stuff lightly.

xoxo

its not that easy to get started out here, from my personal opinion. My beau and I moved out here at the end of January with nothing but gas money and a car full of stuff. . . and despite the fact that I am out almost every day handing out resumes like I am advertising a new chinese restaurant, I have yet to have gotten a job.

We've been "homeless" for over three months now, couch surfing where we can, living out of our car, etc.

To get into an apartment, if you want to live INSIDE of Portland metro is going to cost you about $1200 (if not more) upfront. (For first/last deposit, etc) -

I've been busking on the weekend down on the waterfront during the nice weekends to get enough money together to pay my cell phone and send money back to where all my stuff is in storage. We both thought it would be a cinch to get good jobs and get into a place. . .

I agree with everything that everyone said. However, I also want to add that wind farms are really hurting for skilled turbine technicians. I don't know if your boyfriend has the right skills or if he can afford to look into some community college classes specializing in windpower, but wind energy is definately a booming business right now. (Let's just hope it doesn't crash like the dot-coms did!) However, if he is working on a wind farm, then you won't be living in Portland. You'll have to live in a remote area, where the wind farms are. Best of luck to you in whatever your future holds!