VAG scene in Portland?

[bgzs4]

Hey guys,


I am planning on movin to Portland in august. I will be leaving behind my friends, family, and mechanics. How is the scene up in the PNW? It has to be more booming than in STL. I will be visitin in April to look at housing and such. Any areas to checkout/avoid? I appreciate any help. We all know part of owning a b5s4 is having knowledgable people around you, I'm gonna have to start all over again.

[getslideways]

hit up the PNW Regional Section or NWQuattro, that should give you a good idea of the community in this neck of the woods

[bgzs4]

Thanks! If a mod wants to move this to a more appropriate area that's cool.

[Tgard123]

Yeah def hop on NWQ we've got a pretty good scene in P-town..

I'd avoid living in Gresham imo.

[Kruat]

Again, nwquattro is where most pacnw'ers are at.

[Anthony]

Thanks! If a mod wants to move this to a more appropriate area that's cool.

You got it.

[AvantQuattro]

Early pre-welcome to the area! And yay for bringing a B5.
Will you be buying or renting at first? Price range? Where will you be working? If you start looking online at housing and want to ask about specific locations if you find something you like, we'll be glad to let you know about the area. As mentioned, Gresham is...ehhh. Some areas are OK but Portland city limits and west/south 'burbs are usually better. Some parts of SE (50s thru 90s in street numbers) can be iffy...there's a reason it's nicknamed Felony Flats. North Portland is up-and-coming but is really, really hit or miss as it used to be full-on ghetto. Whatever you do, avoid Estacada and parts of Hillsboro (aka Hell's Burrito).
One of the few cities in the country that has a race track IN town, rather than hours away from a metro area.

[jessfour]

You can't go wrong with downtown or close-in Portland: SW, NE, NW and yes even SE where I live. There's a lot of really great neighborhoods with amazing restaurants. Hawthorne, Belmont, Division, Sellwood, East Burnside.

[bgzs4]

Thanks guys!

I will be renting and am looking to spend no more than $1200 a month. I will be working from home with my current company, so commute isn't really a concern. I want to live in an area where I don't have to worry about my gf walking around at night and such. Im not too worried though, there's no way you guys have crime on a level comparable to stl aka "most dangerous city in America". I guess I'm kind of a yuppy, what neighborhoods do young people live in? I want to live within walking distance of a skatepark and bar if possible :). I will be bringing my fixed gear so I should fit right in from what I see on portlandia haha. What about tuning shops?

[AvantQuattro]

Ugh, I hate that show.

Inner SE (the 'hoods mentioned above by jessfour) would be a good fit for you, but may be at or above your price range for a rental house. Not a lot of large apt complexes, but many small, older ones. I'm an inner SE resident, have been since 1987 (except a 9-yr hiatus to the east coast recently) and I love it. I also love inner SW/West Hills, NW but it is much spendier. There's a sweet skate park under the Burnside Bridge on the east side, it's very well-known. Public transport is excellent in this city, so even if you're a little further than walking distance from something and don't want to drive there's always a bus or train that'll get you there.

Matrix Integrated is on the river on the West side off Macadam Ave, awesome shop. I've heard rumblings about a 503 Motoring but heard it was more blingy than go-fast stuff. Many competent indy repair shops that can do maintenance in town, too.

There's a Cars & Coffee every Saturday on the west side if you want to meet more than just Audi people. They are on Facebook. Another east side branch is attempting a start-up now too.


Oh - buy yourself a sun lamp. We run & hide when the sun comes out because we are not sure what that big burning object is in the sky that only appears once a month. It gets a little depressing, but tolerable, without sunlight on a regular basis. Summers are GORGEOUS here though. Wave goodbye to that nasty midwest humidity.

[bgzs4]

Thanks for the info, looking forward to checking everything out!

[jessfour]

To answer your question about young people, they're pretty much everywhere. There really isn't just one place. It all depends on what type and vibe you're looking to fit into. All pdx neighborhoods have their own energy and character. That said, on the westside, it may be worthwhile for you to check out the Pearl District. At the very least to compare and contrast with the eastside. It's high-density condo living but by far the highest concentration of young professionals, because of its trendiness/cool factor and proximity to business districts. NW 23rd is also known for its dominance of young people but unlike the Pearl, it's more of a neighborhood setting (no high rises). It's known for it's shopping, dining, gorgeous homes. This neighborhood is priced for the more established young professional. Prices for homes are more suited for upper-mid income families. The entire eastside is a hodgepodge. Lots of young people but with an edgier feel than the westside. More skaters, hipsters, college kids, small families starting out.

Honestly, you can get anywhere in the city of Portland in fifteen mins (outside of norm rush hour). So that's why I say you can't go wrong with whatever you pick as long as you're close-in because the other great neighborhoods are so close. Good luck

[bgzs4]

Awesome. About how long of a drive is it to mt. Hood from Portland? Or other mountains? I can't wait to take weekend trips through the mountains, I'll have to get a set of winter wheels/tires.....

[AvantQuattro]

1-1.5 hrs to Hood, depending on where in town you end up. ~3 hrs to Bachelor. Not sure about the WA mountains, someone can chime in with that info. Hood has night skiing so you can always run up after work. They make snow during the summer, too.

[questionlp]

Also, if you want to make a long weekend of skiing or snowboarding, there's always Whistler. Granted, you would need a passport ;)

[bgzs4]

Got my passport ready to go!

[littlewhite]

I'll check out around Portland like in NW and SW. It will be quite hard to find something in $1200 if is in or around in DT Portland. Possible, just have to look around. Get use to the rain and stupid drivers both in the dry and wet...

Matrix will be your shop, they have been wrenching B5s and S4s with BT and other Audis and VWs forever

Keep us posted. Have a good visit in April

[jessfour]

"Avoid SE"? Why? That's a pretty general statement. Do you live in one of the burbs?

[littlewhite]

I said is good to avoid since other mention earlier. I had terrible experience before and some shady area in SE and car was broken into when we just went in for food and back out. Adding to that, went to an Audi meet there before and my rear trunk and bumper was all keyed and scratched up... never went to SE meet since.

[jessfour]

I respectfully disagree with your blanket statement that "it's a good idea avoid SE." Now if you're talking about deep SE past 82nd and by milwaukee or clackamas, then I would agree. That said, I would personally never choose to live in Vancouver, Beaverton, Tigard, etc., but at the same time I would not tell anyone it's a good idea to avoid them. My experience is that those who do not live within city limits are typically unfamiliar with the actual neighborhoods and say safe/expected things that everyone else says like: NoPo and SE are ghetto or unsafe.

OP was looking for Portland neighborhood with young people and close to a skatepark. Telling him to avoid SE, more than 1/4 of the city's housing population and likely his best odds for finding what he wants seems off.

[littlewhite]

Ok, no need to be so mad or anything. Part my fault, i didnt mean whole SE in general. I was thinking the SE like where there are always shooting and break in in the area. You are correct, some SE area is good. Edit my statement since it seems to be leading to drama and we want none of that here.

For skateparks though do checkout Burnside, Ed Benedict. If you are out around, there is a couple in Beaverton and Hillsboro too. In addition, since it rains quite a bit here, you can checkout some indoor parks too. Believe there is one in NW and there is a few by Rose Qtr

[jeremy@matrix]

Hey guys,


I am planning on movin to Portland in august. I will be leaving behind my friends, family, and mechanics. How is the scene up in the PNW? It has to be more booming than in STL. I will be visitin in April to look at housing and such. Any areas to checkout/avoid? I appreciate any help. We all know part of owning a b5s4 is having knowledgable people around you, I'm gonna have to start all over again.

Early welcome bgzs4. I think you'll like it here. Just don't bring anyone else, it's already getting packed enough on our freeways.

On the westside, Hillsboro and Tualatin have skate parks too to check out.

Thanks for the kind words Molly and Carson!! We have LOTS of B5 S4 experience, bone stock to stg3+. Feel free to PM or email me with any questions. We're here to help.

[bgzs4]

Hey gang,

A little update.....

Ill be flying into portland on 4/20. We have a reservation at the silver cloud hotel, which i think is in NW portland? I will be in town friday morning to monday afternoon. Anything I need to checkout? Restaraunts? Cafes? I plan on just trying to cover everything and find a neighborhood to live in. Any cool bars or microbreweries I need to try?

[AvantQuattro]

Since you'll be in NW, might I suggest Stepping Stone cafe at 23rd & Quimby....they serve "mancakes," the biggest pancakes you'll ever see.
Also good for breakfast is The Original Pancake House on SW Barbur Blvd, and the Hotcake House across the Ross Island Bridge on SE Powell (divey but great food).
You must must must hit a location of Voodoo Donut. Closest to you is in SW/downtown just off Burnside.
McMenamins is the most popular micro around here, tons of locations around. One on NW 23rd, one on NW 21st for starters. Lots of smaller ones dotted all over the place, esp in Alameda (NE) and inner SE. Cascade Barrel House is a good one, they had a great choc raspberry and a mulled cider ale a couple mos back, likely out of season now.
Chez Jose on SW Terwillger is my fav Mexican restaurant.

So many new places have sprung up since I moved back here in Sept so I don't have much more input, I am sure others can recommend even more. I'd offer to be a tour guide for part of a day but I'll be at the shore that wknd. Good luck & have fun out here!

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[jeremy@matrix]

Bridgeport Brewery/Pub in NW Pearl is a gem with great food/brew for the $. Widmer is pretty decent too(over in NE).

[boostedAvant]

I wanna move to Portland!! Agh.

[littlewhite]

Hey gang,

A little update.....

Ill be flying into portland on 4/20. We have a reservation at the silver cloud hotel, which i think is in NW portland? I will be in town friday morning to monday afternoon. Anything I need to checkout? Restaraunts? Cafes? I plan on just trying to cover everything and find a neighborhood to live in. Any cool bars or microbreweries I need to try?

Never tried but if time Voodoo donuts? St Honore Bakery/Cafe in NW is good! Bringing your board? Check out Burnside. Most likely will rain so have rain gear on

[bgzs4]

I will dress for rain! Probably not bringing my board this time, although ill likely regret that. Pretty excited about these mancakes and donuts. Im thinking I shoukd try and hit up mt hood and the coast if its only about an hour away.

[blkd_outA401]

All I gotta say is if your a yuppy PLEASE stay IN Portland, Downtown,SW, SE, NE,NW. Go do all the lame things that all the other hippies and yuppys do. Go to voodoo doughnuts, sit and drink coffee and keep portland weird! Give me a break. Honestly you are gonna have a hard time find a place in town like that for 1200. There is absolutley no problem with "deep SE" as these other people call it. I have lived here my whole life but never in town like that. I live in Oregon City, and close to the sticks out in the woods. Its nice out here, quiet and no shootings and thefts and beatings like where all these other people live at. You are from the ATL so everything here will seem timid to you, but if you wanna get away from that stuff STAY OUT OF PORTLAND, Hillsboro, Gresham. Basically Multnomah and Washington Counties. Where I live I have like 5 Bars within walking distance and just a short bus ride to a skate park, in fact you can skate to the skate park from my house and never have to stop cause its all downhill. As for your GF as long as you stay away from the two counties I said, she will be fine. Not to mention that I am totally 20-30 minutes closer to mt hood then everyone else because they have to deal with traffic. Oh and I really hope you car aint too slammed cause we have SHITTY roads here. EVERYWHERE. Hope you find a good place.

[AvantQuattro]

^ Who peed in this guy's Cheerios?? Sheesh. Making our city sound horrid.

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[bgzs4]

Ill be in town friday morning! Super pumped! If you see a guy walking around in a stl blues hat give me a high five! Every sentence ends in an exclamation point!

[AvantQuattro]

Every sentence ends in an exclamation point!

LMAO @ this
Keep up that good mood, you'll need it with the rain and lack of sunshine.
Actually the forecast looks semi-decent for the wknd.
Safe travels.

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[littlewhite]

You are in luck my friend! Fri possible showers and mid 70s and dry Sat and Sun.

[bgzs4]

Hey guys,

I had a great time and loved the city. We were thinking either downtown or the abc district. I got home last night at midnight. This morning I recieved a call informing me that my dad has inoperable cancer. It looks like the move is cancelled for now. Thanks for all the info.

[jeremy@matrix]

Hey guys,

I had a great time and loved the city. We were thinking either downtown or the abc district. I got home last night at midnight. This morning I recieved a call informing me that my dad has inoperable cancer. It looks like the move is cancelled for now. Thanks for all the info.

Oh goodness man, I'm so very sorry to hear. I will keep your dad in my prayers.