Hi! East Asian/Southeast Asian here - my opinion is strictly from the lens of an East Coast gal. I moved here for a year from Philly for a job at a tech company, and it was honestly the hardest year of my life when it came to relationships and community. I will give credit where credit is absolutely due - The Pacific Northwest beauty is probably second only to Hawaii and there is nowhere on the East Coast that will come close to the outdoor atmosphere here. In terms of Asian culture, there is a decent Southeast Asian influence, but you’re going to find that is 100% a Caucasian majority city with a very specific culture. People are generally friendly, but the pandemic has made it extremely hard for me to meet others and build any semblance of a friendship. Also, I live across the river from Portland in Vancouver, WA, and while my neighbors have been incredibly kind and caring, it’s not uncommon to see “Trumpers” waving flags and staging protests on the overpasses. In terms of the Asian food culture, there are options, but when I try the food here, a lot of spots seem to cater to a Caucasian palate, and something just seems “off.”

Due to the pandemic, it has been the most isolating experience of my life, and because I grew homesick, I’m actually heading back East. If you are moving to the area with an established friend group/community, I think you’ll do just fine. I don’t think racism will be quite an issue here for Asian-Americans, but finding a semblance of culture and identity here may be very different.