Moving To Oregon

We moved around in the last couple of decades. In 2004, we moved from Southern California to Washington state. In 2009, we moved to southeast Michigan and learned about the upper midwest. Last year, we moved back to the Northwest. I have some inane observations:

• Could it really be true that the Great and Good of Portland truly hate automobiles? There seems to be, at the best, neglect of streets and roads for autos - at the worst, an underlying hostility. It seems that the city elders of Portland believe that walking and bicycling, with some buses and streetcars, are all that is needed for a big city. Really, if you are between the ages of 15 and 45, or otherwise great health and can tackle those hills without a car or truck, you are Welcome in Portland
• Portland never seems to have embraced city planning or neighborhood zoning as did much of the rest of the country in the early to mid-20th century. Street alignments, building placement, road signage, and community development feel haphazard. A general, "eh, it's good enough" seems to have been the attitude at some key point in time. Today, lots of frustration for those who are trying to navigate the city
• There is a palpable failure of liberal compassion expressed in the "homeless problem." Recently, there was a documentary produced by a news program asking, "Seattle Is Dying" (https://komonews.com/news/local/komo-news-special-seattle-is-dying) And everything said in that program seems true in Portland. The issues are now out of hand and decisive leadership missing. There will be a conflict and the results will likely be violent and destructive
• Life is more expensive. That shouldn't be surprising. Portland is a busy and (currently) prosperous city - inflation is part of the city's structure. A dinner out with my wife in the suburbs in Michigan could be $40+; here that looks more like $70+
• I miss quality and accessible Mediterranean cuisine. Back in Michigan, even the run-of-the-mill, hole-in-the-wall Lebanese restaurant would easily compete with what-goes-for high-end Mediterranean cuisine in the Portland area. And the cost difference is staggering. Also, there seems to be a fixation on adding non-Mediterranean spices to "jazz up" the cuisine. Personally, not a fan of that
• Potholes exist in Portland - not as deep, but they are around and don't seem to get fixed as quickly
• Portland is a great place to live ... if you have money. There are some really pleasant neighborhoods, great restaurants and shopping, and the amenities of a big city. But for A Lot of people, Portland is a tough place to live
• Portland is a city working to cover over much. The city's history is not about genteel, liberal-minded, good souls basking in the natural wonder of the northwest. Portland was, until 20 years ago, a port-city with a full-on 'skid-row' (now decorously re-named The Pearl District), and a bustling sex-trade. Even today, I was told, there are more strip bars in Portland than Bankok ... and so forth