So I might move to Portland
 

What's it like these days? How are the record stores? What's it like to get around?

for the record stores, you mean? did you buy everything they had in stock in your town?

yeah, when your office is right around the corner from the one good independent record store in town, it's pretty easy to buy up everything... and empty your bank account. That's been my experience.

Anyway. Portland. Good, bad? Hey, at least I'll get out of friggin' Iowa.

I won't have a job, though. I'm following my wife, who seems to be landing this sweet transfer deal (she's a fed, by the way). We've wanted out of this place for a while now, but I have no prospects for anything out there right now. Hey, maybe I'll become a house husband and sit around playing records all day. Yeah, that's the ticket.

oh, ive never been to portland but i've heard great things from the residents & what not (not those residents, i mean the people who live there.)

shit, i'd go anywhere to get out of iowa.

by the way, is the university where you work the place where all the famous poets come out of? do you ever see them walking around campus, deranged by the moonlight? no, seriously, im asking.

Yeah, believe it or not, I do, mostly writers... Once upon a time, talking like mid-70s, I'd see Kurt Vonnegut and John Cheever sitting a table or two away from me in the sub sandwich shop. More famous people pass through here than people realize, mostly the lower-profile art and literature types. I probably pass a few on campus every day and don't even realize it. And believe it or not, we get good bands through here in one or two small bars. Animal Collective is coming in late spring, I think. The town also has a fairly good local music scene.

Nowhere else in Iowa is like this, though. This is the only place to be if you have to live in Iowa. Kinda like Austin is to Texas.

oh man once upon a time i almost wanted to go to that school. they have some great programs for writers. there is a very funny mexican novel about some writers who go there (they hate it: the food, etc).

anyway here's a bump for you. it's a pity that emma blowgun doesn't post here anymore. not only was she one of the coolest board members by far-- she also lived in portland as of maybe last year? (i suspect she's still there).

well maybe you can reach her via her blog, if you have the gumption and she doesn't think you're a stalker (which you might be!) . ha. have fun

http://emmablowgun.blogspot.com/

I like Portland. If I ever moved there I'd live inside Powell's. I'd hide in there after closing time and build a fort. They'd never find me.

or like Lawrence is to Kansas.

anyway, i haven't spent much time in Portland (although i have some family there), but, from what i've seen, it's one of the top five places in the country that i'd want to live in.

I saw something on TV about the transients and street-teens who plague Portland due to its lenient laws. That's Portland right? Might be a good place for a hobo. Cheesequake O'Lennox for example.

I still love it here. KPSU is a great college station, and sure I'm biased, but it's because it's great that I got a show there. Powell's is indeed a great place, though many of the smaller and cheaper used book stores have gone under recently. Same with a few great record stores, but we still have more good ones left than most places. Both of those types of places have been hit hard by having the internet to compete with I think. Why would anyone buy a storefront if they can sell their records and books and stuff online without having to pay rent?

Anthem is an amazing record store though, that specializes in all of the weirdo stuff I love, and they do have an online presence too, so hopefully they can last. Jackpot is a great local chain that seems to be doing well still. Everyday Music is another one that covers the cheap used at big selection niche well.

Still lots of great places to eat for under $10, and given the increasing Hispanic population at least the Mexican food is something we can count on staying affordable.

Bands? Yeah, I've heard about that. I just don't go out much unless I'm playing, but there are both strong indie-pop and experimental scenes.

The best thing about this city though is that it has the biggest forested area in a city in the U.S. in it, and it's really close to all sorts of natural wonders and the ocean. Yeah, I know, call me a hippie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz2XRSgRocU
Had to do it.

i hear its nice there. good luck!

want to move to portland together??????

There's a used vinyl store up on congress St but otherwise not much. Strange Maine might have some stuff now and then. Best of the city is YES books. The best thing about being in Portland I think is its easy and cheap to get lobster.

Um, Portland, Oregon, not Maine, silly.

You might make my wife jealous, but meh, so what--hop on board, sweetheart.

yay!!!!:)

I've visited a friend that goes to the University there, and i loved it. She loves it too.

Best wishes!

i haven't been there in over a year but i visited there a lot when i lived in washington... i loved oregon & portland was pretty awesome... the people there were always so nice to me...& the stores were amazing!

Portland is awesome. I'm actually considering moving there myself.