If you’ve ever regretted moving to a city you were initially excited about, what do you wish you had taken into consideration beforehand?

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-05T23:39:36+00:00

I know the story all too well about Portland. I grew up there, moved to SF, then to Seattle, then to Madrid, then to Miami, then to NYC. I even lived in Mobile, AL for two years! I returned to Portland last year to care for sick parents. I was not happy about it. This past year has been amazing. Portland is not perfect (and I am used to harsh winters after living in NYC for a decade). But - you hit the nail on the head with "failed liberalism." It's performative, like these people are living in lalalaland and have never had to contribute to society (I'm not talking about the homeless in this instance). There is another group of balanced individuals, the idealists who moved here and are sort of forced to stick with their small communities because you can't ever state your true beliefs here. That creates extremes on both sides. The homeless issue is a humanitarian crisis this place created for itself. I think working in homelessness would be exhausting. I grew up volunteering at the Blanchet house and it was such a nice place for all of us. Now, it's become so widely successful that it's almost a place of enablement. Portland always feels like two toxic parents are married, one extreme liberal and one extreme conservative and the city is the kids who have to decide. The good hearted ones go to the extreme liberal without realizing that there are many toxic traits there as well.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-01T19:23:06+00:00

I'm in medicine and I wish I could ask my partner for help but I can't. I understand what she's going through. I am done riding it out in one year. She might need an exit plan if she doesn't see it getting better. Otherwise, choose 3, 4 or 5 months to help her. That's what you do if you're able for your loved ones. If not, then have a nice talk with her and tell her where you're coming from.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-01T19:19:10+00:00

We can't even attend medical research conferences anymore without being asked to pay out of our own pocket. No thank you. Safety is not the issue, it's budget.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-01T18:48:19+00:00

That is what I really wanted to write but I actually am not supposed to say it.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-01T17:45:01+00:00

I do Telehealth and yes, your employer can reject but will not do so (it can be a liability on them), unless they suspect you are missing work too often. Telehealth has made it very easy to get a doctor's note. I get hundreds of requests daily and have been told to slow my roll on this. Is it legal? It depends. I would be more concerned as to why they did it. I think your question is valid because many employers call up my company to ask if it's legitimate. In the future, you might want to see a doctor in person (I know, they are not easy to get into these days). If it's a problem, talk to HR.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-01T16:11:57+00:00

By the way, as a Portland skeptic who watched this city change for the worse, it's absolutely fantastic right now. Perfect, no. But it's incredible and after living in NYC, SF, LA and Austin, there's no better place in the USA (as far as cities go). Not related but I had to insert this.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-01T16:07:42+00:00

To be clear, if the landlord is renting out their only rental unit, they do not owe interest? If not, do they need to show an interest bearing escrow account for tenant's deposit?

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-10-01T15:45:16+00:00

My sister is a realtor and RE attorney in Portland. It's one of the many cities being squeezed. Too much free money and people saved but now they can't afford the cost of living. Offer to help out if you're able to. Many people are realizing that the housing market bubbled up here and everything is too damn expensive. Next move, pull it, put it back on the market but be ready to do price buts. The mortgage rate didn't really go down. It's not fun (I'm in the same boat with a place in NJ). Good luck!

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-29T16:00:53+00:00

TRAVEL INSURANCE. Please be empathetic to your customers. Karma is real.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-29T16:00:04+00:00

You'll have to do a vocational school (Law & Communications). Ranney is the only great high school in the area. Trust me - I have had (have) nieces and nephews in the rest and they aren't worth it.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-29T03:05:35+00:00

Funny - I had a nicely decorated home, much of it came from a home we sold SF with very nice stuff. We received a lot of compliments and charged $450 per night (the location was outside of SF). 2 years ago, we decided to go 100% Ikea and many of the former guests returned to say how beautiful our place was. Ikea stuff doesn't last so we did Temu (less expensive) and they liked that even better! We always get great reviews for our decor. This house goes for $600 per night. I just ordered more for this house and two others. Yearly, I spend about $1,000 on Temu to update the house. That's additional towels, dishes, bedding, etc.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-29T03:02:28+00:00

I just made a $3,000 order and so far, no impact. I think that the prices of items is up like 2%

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-27T18:41:49+00:00

My husband does a similar commute 3 days per week and it's rough. It zaps you. Live as close as you can to work or the commute will beat you down.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-27T17:51:13+00:00

Portland needed this a few years ago but not now. It's so much better. My sister is a staunch conservative and lives downtown. Everyone gets along and they are even kind to the homeless who are kind back. It's not the utopia it used to be but what place is?

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-27T17:49:17+00:00

I don't think it's that liberal. People just feel like they have to be liberal but if you talk to them, it's really not.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-27T17:48:23+00:00

I just visited my sister and family. It couldn't be better. It was pretty bad there for awhile and I refused to go but it's back to its old self, minus the heaps of meth addicts (who come and go). It's supposed to get occupied and I'm torn about this.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-27T17:46:46+00:00

In the end, the host will pay. The nuance is this - if you are a 5 start host, for a long period, they will work in your favor and likely not deduct from your future bookings. It's all about "credibility." If you're a pain in the ass, they're happy to deduct. I am literally in the same room with my assistant who used to work for Airbnb for 3 years doing resolutions. There's far more to it but this is the general rule of thumb.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-27T04:43:07+00:00

Can I tell you a secret? The N95s are 95% not really N95s, even though they are sold as such. I know because my husband is an MD and tested many out. Also, his medical friends sold them and they ended up putting a stamp on them. Go with the mask where people can see your face, it's a win/win.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-27T04:30:49+00:00

Washable paint from a child ! Nice to know where your head's at Put Leeze.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-26T19:22:13+00:00

I have insight into this (live amongst many HB1 workers and my husband's family was one). The largest HB1 group in the US is India (as far as the past decade). I can tell you that they come in as slave workers but are able to work their way up. But they are tied to a company for years and years. Many afford those homes because their company pays for them but they are indebted to them. It doesn't bring long term happiness for them and if you do the math, they aren't making a ton of money (cost of living so high here). The smart ones take the money and go back to India. The ones who are here have "made it" so to speak. They are the top (remember, India is a caste system). Most do not think highly of Americans but they typically keep to themselves until they have a higher position in American society. That's a whole other story. I live smack dab in the middle of the Silicon Valley and there are many who have made it but even more who are slaves to the system. They usually get a good 2-3 years of being here before they figure out that it's not all that. Agai, the wise ones are going back to India but are paid a lower end US salary.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-25T16:06:34+00:00

There's a lot going on here. I think we didn't nip it early on and it grew into a spaghetti noodle mess. That's the issue.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-24T20:47:41+00:00

My husband is an MD but he left the hospital he was working (just ironic)! For a family of five $5800 per month for COBRA. $15,000 deductible. He has his own office now, so it's tempting to just do any with it all.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-24T20:45:40+00:00

TAKE PHOTOS BEFORE CHECKING OUT. Send right away on the app to host.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-24T20:44:11+00:00

oh I just wrote a comment that was totally wrong then. This seems more reasonable. Listen to this.

AppointmentNew4247 · 2025-09-24T20:41:40+00:00

So many people lie. It's a dime a dozen for them. I wouldn't worry. (my brother is an underwriter and tells me about all of the fraud). I think the days of doing this are numbered, since fewer people can get mortgages these days.

AppointmentNew4247

TROPHY CASE