posted
So we're moving up to Portland...looking for community or anybody w/ any advice, info, or words on living in Portland!
Heres my story. Im a homebody mama of a beautiful hyper toddler. My partner & i have decided to kiss San Francisco goodbye in hopes of nicer people & a better, healthier lifestyle for all three of us. Its been a very hard past 3 years of struggle with each other & my health. I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme of 14 years a few years ago but never got treated. I fell into the conventional medicine world after meeting a very nice doctor but am now just taking Gabapentin & other pain meds...meaning im not doing anything productive health-wise. I have always been ultra anti-conservative ultra pro-alternative. I have completely fallen apart from who I am. I feel pretty horrible currently. I spend 99.5% of my time inside trying to clean up as best as I can but usually end up in bed. I know its a combination of the lyme & depression. I dont mean to rant. Im just looking for possibly a friend in Portland. I havent found one in this city & hope its easier elsewhere...
Posts: 48 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Mar 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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- Kali Dhi,
I'm breaking up your post so more can read and reply: --------------
So we're moving up to Portland...looking for community or anybody w/ any advice, info, or words on living in Portland!
Heres my story.
Im a homebody mama of a beautiful hyper toddler. My partner & i have decided to kiss San Francisco goodbye in hopes of nicer people & a better, healthier lifestyle for all three of us. Its been a very hard past 3 years of struggle with each other & my health.
I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme of 14 years a few years ago but never got treated.
I fell into the conventional medicine world after meeting a very nice doctor but am now just taking Gabapentin & other pain meds...meaning im not doing anything productive health-wise. I have always been ultra anti-conservative ultra pro-alternative. I have completely fallen apart from who I am. I feel pretty horrible currently.
I spend 99.5% of my time inside trying to clean up as best as I can but usually end up in bed. I know its a combination of the lyme & depression.
I dont mean to rant. Im just looking for possibly a friend in Portland.
I havent found one in this city & hope its easier elsewhere...
(Kali Dhi) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- I live in Portland but don't get out and am not able to be around anyone else due to sensory overload. I am unable to talk on the phone - and don't have energy for any private messages . . . however, I can offer a few suggestions.
Do you have to move to Portland, or to anywhere in Oregon?
There are no LLMDs in Oregon at all. It's a very lyme-ignorant state, regarding the Oregon Medical Board. Very.
The medical college in Portland (OHSU) is also extremely lyme ignorant and proud of it. They also would never even consider other tick borne infections.
You have far better medical options in your current area. However, I assume you are moving for employment reasons but if you absolutely don't have to - or you can still travel back to see your LLMD there in California, I would seriously reconsider if you think you will find any LL doctors here.
You won't even find any doctors for basic care who know enough about lyme to safety treat you for other things.
Here, everything is labeled depression and fibromyalgia. More serious cases are labeled MS, ALS or Parkinson's. It's as if lyme is simply "illegal" here. Even brand new bulls eye rashes are turned away because "there's no lyme in Oregon."
There may be one or two doctors who work with a patients LLMD from out of state - but if you need a MD who really KNOWS about lyme, I mean one who REALLY KNOWS, you will need to see a couple good ILADS-educated LL NDs, though.
But if you even need an E.R., you dare not even mention the word "lyme" in this state or you will be shown the door. Seriously.
I don't know if this would affect you, but if it might: As the state budget has been slashed (since unemployment is high), many state support systems have just disappeared for the most part and many disabled who previously qualified for even a few hours of care services no longer receive such.
Same with medicaid here, it's call the Oregon Health Plan, but the qualifications are much stricter than in other states and many are turned away. It is understandable that if there are just no funds, services can't follow.
As I understand it, the Oregon Health Plan (medicaid) does not cover dental care at all.
If you would need any kind of services or medicaid, you should contact those groups in the county you plan to live BEFORE you move.
Portland is mostly Multnomah county, but Washingon county comes in just to its west, Clackamas to the east and south. Just google to find the boundary lines and agencies.
There is an active support group. You might want to connect with them: -------------
[ 08-04-2010, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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- The natural atmosphere:
It is rainy - with nearly continually cloud cover - about 8 months out of the year but I love that as it's easier on my eyes. But some people move here and then move back to sunnier climates. If you need sunlight, you might want to get one of those special SAD lights from Halloween to July 4.
Seriously, the calendar seems to turn off the rain from July 4 - Halloween. It's amazing how that works. Although, there usually is a good handful of bright sunny days in February.
Everyone either has a couple of leaf blowers or they hire lawn crews that have the loudest ones on the planet. Be aware of that as you choose where you will live. Every single day of the year, someone is using a leaf blower at some time of the day. It's best to live away from any large parking lots if you can, to avoid them.
Still, people get out and about no matter - every day of the year. Many nice parks here, artists, restaurants, symphony, theatre groups - if you can do those things.
If you are moving only to find friendlier people, I can't say they are any friendly here than anywhere else. Friends are often made over time, through shared interests. So, if you can find some groups that you are interested in, you'll have a greater chance at forging some bonds.
i will say that Oregonians tend to be very independent. I've certainly not noticed a lot of people that just jump for the chance to help individuals but, every week, there is one 5K race or another for organized giving.
People here tend to be friendly but also rather self-contained. At least that's what I found when I moved here with my job in '89. I had to connect to groups to make friends.
People here are very positive in nature, they'd rather spend time discussing what's good about the world or, if what's wrong, what can be done about it. Most here are very health minded. We have many organic food markets but I imagine that is no different than in the Bay area.
When I could get out, I felt completely fine going absolutely anywhere on my own and if I wanted to stay to myself, that was fine - or if I wanted to strike up casual conversations, that always happened, too. But no one was quick to say "oh, you are new here, come on over for dinner."
I think that was a different time when people reached out to newcomers like that. Most are just too busy. And most really do get out of town at least one day on most weekends. Every direction offers options to envelope oneself in nature. 90 - 100 miles and you can be at the coast, in the Columbia River Gorge, up on Mt. Hood or down at Silver Falls State Park.
In town, you have a dormant volcano in Mt. Tabor Park.
If you want to find Tai Chi or Qi Gong (or any other group) just cross search that with the city's name or the community where you will be living. They don't use the term "suburbs" here but each city within the Portland Metro area is also very active.
==================
Farmers' Markets are everywhere, some year long.
Outdoor concerts are everywhere and usually free (I don't know how the musicians here can afford to eat there are so many free concerts).
Theatre - a wide range with good local professional troupes as well as the typical traveling shows.
The Oregon Symphony is very good as is the Portland Youth Orchestra.
Of course, there are also faith-based communities, easily found through a search. Many here say that nature is their church and they are quick to hop on the area hiking trails on weekends.
But one need not be physically able to hike to enjoy the fabulous nature all around here. So many unique places to get out and see, even in the city limits, there are very nice parks frequented even in the rainy winter season.
===========================
Now, I've listed all the things I used to do or would if I could. But I've not been out in years. Still, knowing that is all around me is comforting, as it's waiting for me.
I know you said you are in bed most of the time. Quite honestly, it will be very difficult to find new friends under such conditions.
However, after you are settled, you might organize a book club to meet at your home once a week or a song circle sort of thing.
Unless there is a faith-community connection it will be harder to find instant friends. However, once you feel strong enough, just think of what you enjoy and you can create what will work for you. Friendships can't be rushed, though. They just happen over time.
I've only moved as a single person and it's been excruciatingly painful from the emotional aspect of it, even when I could work and drive. And, I know from having been married, that a partner can't answer all one's needs for varied friendships. Luckily, though, you have a family and can experience all these new things together.
I do hope, whether you stay in the Bay area or move to Portland - or anywhere else - that you have the strength to forge friendships form a place of interest and wonder. -
[ 08-04-2010, 07:30 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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what do you consider the nice neighborhoods to live in portland?
our needs: -we need to be sort of central for work reasons -a 2 bedroom house rental for under or around $1500 -trees ie nature nearby because i dont get out much & i cant walk ie im in a wheelchair when i go out -people-wise we like our privacy but also friendly people with a loose screw or two to give us a good laugh
Are the outer avenues as bad as everyone makes them out to be?
thanks again!
Posts: 48 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Mar 2009
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Keebler
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- What are the cross streets or area for work? A lot depends on the traffic pattern to work. You want to avoid bridges. Trees are everywhere, absolutely everywhere.
You can look in the Oregonian, call the Visitors' place, or look at
Then look up addresses on GoogleMaps to get a view of all the trees, parks - and stores or parking lots to avoid.
There are other locators for new residents. Ask at the place your partner will be working. They should have someone with some sort of information packet for you - probably from the Human Resources office there.
You ask: "Are the outer avenues as bad as everyone makes them out to be?"
What other avenues? The rain or no LLMDs and the fervent lyme ignorance in the medical community?
The rain is lovely; the other situation is not. And, yes, it's real. Sadly. Still, TALK to someone at the OLDN.
I forgot there is one supposedly LL MD/ND just north across the river in Washington state. I found him totally inadequate and not at all forthcoming about his knowledge so I did not pursue treatment with him. But he may have improved in the years since I saw him.
But your best bet will be with the few LL NDs here and just avoid needing other medical care - and asking OLDN for suggestions for different categories.
If you do call one of the LL NDs soon, you can find out if they take any insurance and if your partner has any choice of insurance with the new job (some do offer insurance to domestic partners but not all do), you'd know what to choose. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
not really a traffic issue...work from home so my partner has to be central to keep himself busy yet close to home.
oh no the outer avenues meaning past 82nd ave.
quite a few have told us to avoid living out there. but haven't said why.
i hear you on the medical ignorance. though i have had the same experience here in San Francisco. I have a positive lyme report in my hands but they have completely ignored it. its been a pretty degrading experience.
im hoping to find an alternative program up there for my health. whether treating myself or just w/ small holistic practitioner.
Posts: 48 | From San Francisco, CA | Registered: Mar 2009
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Keebler
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- Others say? So, you have some friends or acquaintances here? Hope so as that would make a move easier.
The traffic noise on 82nd is very loud. It's a very busy part of town. I would not be able to hear myself think over there with all the zooming about. It's a major a business corridor (for all kinds of business, day or night). Beyond that is the interstate 205 and that is all very loud. Just beyond 205, you might find some nice pockets, though.
In SW Portland - the Tigard area has many rental houses. (T "I" eye - gurd).
All the west and southwest areas are hilly. NE is not. Rents are more affordable on the NE side of the Willamette river and out west in Aloha or Hillsboro, too.
There must be a magazine or site that will help you with the neighborhood differentiation. Regarding your child, you may want to look at schools first and go from there. You may also want to see the location of the LL ND with whom you may be working.
And, everything is less expensive just across the Columbia river in Vancouver, WA. If that MD/ND has learned more about lyme, he may be an option and you might actually want to establish residence there.
Adding: if you have hyperacusis, you might consider living in a smaller town, not near a freeway. You can use Google maps to locate any address on a map, and adjust to find the freeways. There really in no where here that does not have freeway noise, though you have a better chance studying the map before you decide. -
[ 08-05-2010, 12:39 AM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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