Yay PDX! This is a very belated response from a Portlander! (I’m surprised I missed this post!) I’m a walk-aholic and I live in NE near Alberta and I love walking around here from NE Holman (ish), down to Broadway, and from 42nd ish, all the way to N Mississippi (I walk all over the place). There was a post on Reddit recently about women walkers feeling safe in Portland and there seemed to be a consensus that NE Portland felt the most safe, and I would agree. I adore walking in SE though, it’s just a bit more funky/creative (Belmont, Hawthorne, Division and Clinton.) My 52 frompy figure doesn’t get as much attention and gets more ignored these days, so I feel safe walking most places. I can say in NE, I walk 15 miles a week and I only walk near an unstable person that made me uncomfortable twice (which I just walk a different direction) in about 10 years. Also, Alberta Park has a large, pretty dog area for fetching, if your pup likes that sorts of thing. There is another great park on NE 33rd and Skidmore too.
I hear Fitness Union on Alberta is very cool. I’ve been to People’s Yoga a few times and really liked their vibe.
Oh, and I love my hairstylist but she is in Vancouver, but she can cut my crazy curly hair and she’s so cool. Her IG does not show her cutting skills at all, but here is her Account: https://www.instagram.com/the_hairslayer_kellykelly?igsh=NWZ5MXo2OTJmaDRm She is a hair slayer…and a fellow artist.
Congrats on the decision (those are HARD) and making it back to the west coast (it's great out here!)! I've been in PDX for 20 years(!) and live in NE in the Dekum neighborhood and love it - great parks, the best neighbors, good walkability (without dealing w parking/traffic situations near Alberta, Miss, Hawthorne, etc). For a great, honest mechanic - while not volvo specific - check out Gerbrock in NE. I canNOT do hot yoga but my friend swears by Firelight. I'm keeping an eye on the comments for great Obgyns and dog sitters...
YAYyyyyyyy congratulations and welcome back!!!!!! I will always and forever recommend my strength training gym, Fitness Union on Alberta (NE), if small group training is in your budget. Kim, the founder, has become one of my best friends, and I’ve done it consistently for 3+ years, which is a record because I hate exercise.
I also think NE might be a good match for you living-wise, given what you’re looking for.
I love that you’ll now have your pick of good Volvo mechanics. Portland!
Yay! Yes! A) I CANNOT WAIT and B) I started following Fitness Union on the Insta based on your previous recos. I'm thinking NE too. What neighborhoods do you like there?
Hi you. I can see why you're drawn back; alot of your people are still here. Always welcome to hang at my house. SW Hills. OBGYN - Lydia Collins, Hair - Andrea Marlow Ted Isaac Salon in Sellwood, Ramen - Hapa PDX & Whiskey (SE), Mechanic - Tom Dwyer (SE), Concert venue - Reser in Beaverton (which by the way I find myself hanging out on that side of town more and more. Downtown needs love. Glad you've found your place again. Best.
So so so many of my people are still there (including you!) I can't wait to just be able to hang out and not be scrambling all the time. Thanks so much for the recos! x
We have an AMAZING Volvo mechanic in PDX who lovingly nurtures our 20 year old wagon and has been called an “angel” by other customers. Happy to share his info!
Portland has that kind of pull in people. I grew up there and left after college. After 23 years in Philadelphia, I’ve spent the last year trying to move my family to Portland. When I’m in Portland, I feel like I can finally unfurl a part of myself I have to keep closely tucked in on the east coast.
Your list sounded so much like mine I had to pause a minute, except I'm headed overseas (I think, soon) and have two large dogs and a cat which definitely complicates matters a ton. I'd also recommend checking out Jayne Matthews online courses to teach yourself how to cut your piece-y shag--I have been doing that since Covid and go in for a touch up 2x a year. Also...WAY TO GO on this change, it sounds dreamy.
Yes it can easily get out of hand. I've found that booking tune-ups with a professional helps keep me in line and prevents me from going too crazy, at least so far.
Yay PDX! This is a very belated response from a Portlander! (I’m surprised I missed this post!) I’m a walk-aholic and I live in NE near Alberta and I love walking around here from NE Holman (ish), down to Broadway, and from 42nd ish, all the way to N Mississippi (I walk all over the place). There was a post on Reddit recently about women walkers feeling safe in Portland and there seemed to be a consensus that NE Portland felt the most safe, and I would agree. I adore walking in SE though, it’s just a bit more funky/creative (Belmont, Hawthorne, Division and Clinton.) My 52 frompy figure doesn’t get as much attention and gets more ignored these days, so I feel safe walking most places. I can say in NE, I walk 15 miles a week and I only walk near an unstable person that made me uncomfortable twice (which I just walk a different direction) in about 10 years. Also, Alberta Park has a large, pretty dog area for fetching, if your pup likes that sorts of thing. There is another great park on NE 33rd and Skidmore too.
I hear Fitness Union on Alberta is very cool. I’ve been to People’s Yoga a few times and really liked their vibe.
Oh, and I love my hairstylist but she is in Vancouver, but she can cut my crazy curly hair and she’s so cool. Her IG does not show her cutting skills at all, but here is her Account: https://www.instagram.com/the_hairslayer_kellykelly?igsh=NWZ5MXo2OTJmaDRm She is a hair slayer…and a fellow artist.
I have some friends in PDX who worked with https://www.instagram.com/laurengoche to find their new place and really liked her!
Congrats on the decision (those are HARD) and making it back to the west coast (it's great out here!)! I've been in PDX for 20 years(!) and live in NE in the Dekum neighborhood and love it - great parks, the best neighbors, good walkability (without dealing w parking/traffic situations near Alberta, Miss, Hawthorne, etc). For a great, honest mechanic - while not volvo specific - check out Gerbrock in NE. I canNOT do hot yoga but my friend swears by Firelight. I'm keeping an eye on the comments for great Obgyns and dog sitters...
Congrats!🙌🏽🙌🏽
YAYyyyyyyy congratulations and welcome back!!!!!! I will always and forever recommend my strength training gym, Fitness Union on Alberta (NE), if small group training is in your budget. Kim, the founder, has become one of my best friends, and I’ve done it consistently for 3+ years, which is a record because I hate exercise.
I also think NE might be a good match for you living-wise, given what you’re looking for.
I love that you’ll now have your pick of good Volvo mechanics. Portland!
Yay! Yes! A) I CANNOT WAIT and B) I started following Fitness Union on the Insta based on your previous recos. I'm thinking NE too. What neighborhoods do you like there?
Hi you. I can see why you're drawn back; alot of your people are still here. Always welcome to hang at my house. SW Hills. OBGYN - Lydia Collins, Hair - Andrea Marlow Ted Isaac Salon in Sellwood, Ramen - Hapa PDX & Whiskey (SE), Mechanic - Tom Dwyer (SE), Concert venue - Reser in Beaverton (which by the way I find myself hanging out on that side of town more and more. Downtown needs love. Glad you've found your place again. Best.
So so so many of my people are still there (including you!) I can't wait to just be able to hang out and not be scrambling all the time. Thanks so much for the recos! x
We have an AMAZING Volvo mechanic in PDX who lovingly nurtures our 20 year old wagon and has been called an “angel” by other customers. Happy to share his info!
Yes please!!
I would like to visit Portland! Maybe when The Troubles have passed!
Yay! Portland! I recommend Kfit (all women’s gym) on SE 28th & Ash
I work a cool venue called The Siren, its in the Mississippi district, I think? Every time I work there, I wish I lived there.
Laurie!! Thanks for this! Are you coming back to Vermont Comedy Club this year by any chance?
Prob not til ‘26
Portland has that kind of pull in people. I grew up there and left after college. After 23 years in Philadelphia, I’ve spent the last year trying to move my family to Portland. When I’m in Portland, I feel like I can finally unfurl a part of myself I have to keep closely tucked in on the east coast.
Awww I love this. And YES I feel this so so so much. x
Your list sounded so much like mine I had to pause a minute, except I'm headed overseas (I think, soon) and have two large dogs and a cat which definitely complicates matters a ton. I'd also recommend checking out Jayne Matthews online courses to teach yourself how to cut your piece-y shag--I have been doing that since Covid and go in for a touch up 2x a year. Also...WAY TO GO on this change, it sounds dreamy.
I love Jayne Matthews! But I am never cutting my own hair again after what I did to it during Covid (cryyyyy)
Yes it can easily get out of hand. I've found that booking tune-ups with a professional helps keep me in line and prevents me from going too crazy, at least so far.
Feryn at Propaganda the Salon is an expert shave hair cutter!
Yay!! So glad you decided on Portland. Multnomah Village is awfully cute with a great dog park. Excited to hear/read about your journey 😊
Obviously this is all just me playing a very long game to have dinner at your house as much as possible
😀