Feb 10
I’ve been in Portland now for 3 months and I’m still not used to some of the cost of living differences. I’m glad my electricity is cheaper – my former apt in Bklyn was a garden level (BASEMENT) with 2 windows for the whole place and a backyard glass patio door. It was a railroad, which means only the front and back room got sunlight. This meant lights were on in the other rooms whenenver I was in them.
In my house (with a basement) in Portland, I have windows in every room = sunlight. I haven’t turned on a light before 3pm at all since moving here. This saves significant amounts of money and heat. Other utilities are about the same… with a few new ones. I never paid for trash or water before. However, so far, not too bad.
What I haven’t gotten used to is the pricing markups that coffee shops have around here – I’m used to starbucks prices in NYC. I’m used to handing a 5 dollar bill over to the cashier for a medium cafe au lait and a cookie. I’m used to making a starbucks a “lunch” or “dinner” outing in my mind when I have no money to spend. Here, it’s a “oh I want a cafe au lait” and I can pay with change… $1.80 for a medium cafe au lait. No tax. Not burnt or bitter. A good french pressed cafe au lait.
When Jen and I first moved in and we were running around to all the major stores – Ikea, Target, etc for things – we also needed a couch. We found a marshmallow retro couch for $600.00!!! Those things normally are over a thousand. So we couldn’t pass it up.
Don’t even get me started on the second run 2 or 3 dollar movie theaters – that allow you to drink a beer, eat some food, or whatever… If this is how Portland keeps its residents from leaving – I’m sold.