holly_denny

My family is planning a move within the next few months. We are trying to decide between Portland and Seattle. I am 29 and my husband is 30, we have a 10 month old daughter and 3 "pit bull" breed dogs. My husband has been in the military for the past 12 years, we have only been married for 2 years and I was living in Colorado up until then. He was raised in Colorado and Las Vegas. We are currently stationed in North Carolina and I need to get away from this humidity!

Neither of us have family in Seattle. My sister, brother in law and 2 nephews live in Vancouver, WA.

I want the mountains and the nature, my husband wants the ocean. We both want our daughter to experience nature and the outdoors as much as possible. I would love to learn how to snowboard and would love for her to learn how to ski or snowboard once she is older.

I want a "younger" city but still with maturity (not a college town)

Obviously, we need jobs. My husband would love to work for law enforcement (has been an MP in the army for 6 years.) or a computer job (but no real experience outside of building his own computers and family jobs, so he'd need to get certifications first). I worked at an assisted living center but don't want to go back to healthcare so I'll be more looking to go to college while at home with our daughter.

I'm a huge music fan/concert go-er so I would like a bigger music scene.

We will need a city that is pit bull friendly as it is very difficult to find housing in some areas due to the breed.

We are both environmentally conscious

My grandparents are from Germany and I love the German culture - Portland has a german american school and was looking to send my daughter there when she is older but don't know much about it yet. Either way we would like a high rated school district for her.

I know that both cities fit what we are looking for so I guess I am looking for experiences, good or bad. Also, any tips for newbies moving to the PNW. Thank you for your time!!

bbqboy

Both represent the PNW, but are very different cities, as are the states they reside in.
Seattle is a LOT bigger than Portland. Weather is probably better in Portland. Both have Snow opportunities nearby.
The ocen is not that far away from Portland, but you're on the Sound in Seattle.
I'll let others continue.

Fodorite018

bbqboy summed it up perfectly. I have lived in both areas numerous times, and we currently have homes in both so split our time. One thing that the Seattle area has over Portland is access to more mountains. We have Mt Hood down here near Portland, but for skiing, the Seattle area has way more options. I think your first thing is to start a job search in both areas and see what that brings. I would not even consider moving until a job is secured.

Bobmrg

There are no BXs or commissaries in Oregon (except for a really small USCG base in Astoria. We live in Renton, ten miles south of Seattle, and have Joint Base Lewis-McChord available about 40 miles south...north of Everett there is the Smokey Point Naval commissary and PX.

Your husband can get his ocean fix from either city....he will just have to drive to the coast. Skiing and snowboarding is close to both cities but IMHO Seattle offers more variety. There is a lot to like about Portland, but I think that Seattle comes closer to fulfilling your plans.

I would check out local ordinances relative to pit bulls before making a decision.

happytrailstoyou

Considering you have family living in Vancouver WA and your husband "wants the ocean," all things being equal, I suggest Portland unless you are o.k. with a 3-hour commute to visit your sister and your husband will accept Puget Sound as a substitute for the ocean.

HTtY

suze

I vote for Portland. It's quite a bit smaller and less expensive. I live in Seattle and have several friends who have (happily) relocated to Portland in recent years. They can find much nicer places to live for less money than they had in Seattle. And jobs pay about the same.

I love Seattle, but honestly, it's just gotten a bit too large and conjested for me in recent years (I've lived here 25+). The traffic is absolutely horrendous.

Katzgar

if its about puters you want seattle.

bbqboy

Do you get along with your Sister and family?
That would sway me in favor of P-town.
Family is everything, especially with kids.

Ackislander

Umm, where did you get the idea that Portland and Seattle are not humid? Inland Washington and Oregon are very dry, but Seattle is often damp and foggy.

I do not know about Portland, but it is famous for roses. Roses like moist climates.

suze

But they aren't "humid". Look at the temps and air humidity especially in the summer-time and both are lower than many parts of the country.

tomfuller

Oregon has an income tax but Washington does not. Oregon has no sales tax. I favor living within 5 miles of the Columbia River on the Washington side. Do most of your shopping in Oregon.
If you tire of skiing at Mt. Hood you can always head to the ski areas closer to Seattle.

bbqboy

Or down to Mt. Batchelor. Oregon is a "funkier" state,
full of quirks and characters. I'm biased, having lived here for
30+ years, but I do love Seattle, it is just too big and busy for me.Portland is a river city and the Willamette waterfront is loved and well used. And the humidity isn't bad it's the rain in the winter, but Washington has that too.

Gardyloo

Do you get along with your Sister and family?
That would sway me in favor of P-town.
Family is everything, especially with kids.

Absolutely. You're entering into a transitional period; having some kind of "anchor" beyond the three of you seems critically important to me.

In terms of weather, quality of life, cost of living, access to the outdoors, etc., Seattle and Portland are really two peas in a pod. Sure, there are differences - Seattle is a little wetter in the winter and Portland hotter in the summer, Portland has more foodies per square mile, Seattle more sailboats. But really, from the viewpoint of a young family making a big change, there's not a lot in it.

IF you get along with your B/SIL/Nephews, they can be the "soft landing" and "insiders" you really need.

There are plenty of pit bulls in both Portland and Seattle, and both cities are dog-friendly to a fault. Don't make that an issue.

Housing costs will be roughly similar, but cheaper in the Portland area by a slight margin. Aside from a few high-end suburbs, towns on the periphery of Portland, including Vancouver, will be significantly cheaper compared to most of Seattle's suburbs with comparable access.

From Portland you could easily mount an exploration of Seattle and other areas in the region that would help you on your next move. See them in all seasons, not as a tourist but as a potential resident.

Maybe that's the key - don't see this move as a forever thing, but as a stopover while you get used to the Pacific Northwest, civilian life, and raising your kid. Don't make a whole bunch of "permanent" decisions all at once; they won't be.

Gardyloo

Oops, sorry - Sister/BIL,Nephews.

holly_denny

Thank you to all your replies!! You were all very helpful. I should add that my husband is getting medically retired from the military so no matter where we go we are going potentially jobless. Since we don't want to be in NC a minute longer than necessary we are going to take advantage of the army moving us back to the west coast. My husband has been applying to places in Portland but hasn't had much luck. We are hoping he will have more luck with jobs in Seattle. Of course, if he gets a good job in either city that will make the decision a lot easier. I am close to my sister and her family but they only moved to Vancouver (from Colorado) about 2 months ago. They love the area but they don't have as much to stay good or bad since they are just getting to know the area itself. I've visited both cities in the past and do enjoy them and the weather has not bothered me when I've visited.

suze

Hopefully your husband can find work. Than whichever city that is... go there. That would make the decision for you, very easy.

happytrailstoyou

Good luck to your husband in finding a job. Both cities have a lot to offer in every area of your concern, and I hope it works out that you and your family will not live far from your sister and her family.

HTtY

NewbE

Holly, since you mentioned that your husband is bring medically discharged, consider whether proximity to a military medical facility would save you money in the long run.

tomfuller

If he has skills that they are looking for, Fort Lewis would be a good place to look for a civilian job.
After discharge from the USMC my DS is now working at Edwards AFB. Before that he was working at Yermo just outside Barstow.
The Fort Lewis area is a lot better place to live for many reasons.

Bobmrg

Madigan General Hospital is on the JBLM base; JBLM is roughly between Tacoma and Olympia. The VA hospital is in Seattle. Don't know which would support your husband. The Navy has facilities at Bremerton and Oak Harbor.