Portland,OR or Vancouver,WA ..just over the bridge. The worst place to live. moving from the rocky mountain area over a year ago, I can tell you that Portland should be near the top of any list of a city to avoid. The weather being a big one, 8 months of darkness, summer is beautiful. Kids don't play outside in Portland, they can't it's a mud-fest, at least where I am from when it snows the ground is nice and frozen and kids can still play. Let's not forget about the unemployment rate, one of the nations highest, why? this is an "artsy" community. there is no major business, except Nike. it's all arts and restaurants. How do I know this? According to my realtor, I have lost all of my equity in my home if not more from the house i sold in the west. my old house? ...has INCREASED in value!! ...can't wait to get out of here. what a nightmare.