Chapter 1: Living Life in the Pacific Northwest
- Vinita Bennett
- Nov 20, 2024
- 3 min read
It’s been almost two months since we left our 13 years of residency in Arizona (seven years in Chandler and six years in Scottsdale) for a cooler climate in the Pacific Northwest—specifically, Oregon. Many people wonder why we would move out of the Valley of the Sun to the rainy, gray skies of the Northwest. If the British and Scots can tolerate their rainy seasons, then so can I! The truth is, that everyone has personal preferences, so it’s best not to judge. What one person loves, another might not. For us, the rain in Portland is rarely a deluge; it's often just a light mist that comes and goes, which is surprisingly tolerable. Living in Arizona has been an incredible journey. I learned a great deal about American culture, work, and life. However, the time has come for us to move on. I've always dreamed of living in a four-season climate. We love the spectacular nature and diversity that Oregon (the Beaver State) has to offer.
We considered several potential cities for our next move, such as Denver, Nashville, and Seattle, but none of them felt right. I am a city girl at heart, having been born and raised in a big city—Bangkok, Thailand. Living in a city will always be my first choice. However, as I grew older, I found that I love the feel of city life but prefer being in a more secluded area. Confusing, right? I’ve always been fond of living in a peaceful area while still being close enough to downtown to enjoy a date night and shopping. When we discovered the Southwest Hills of Portland, we fell in love immediately. And let me tell you, the food scene in Portland is truly unbeatable!
Portland is a very cool and hip city, known for having one of the best food scenes in the U.S. I also love the diversity in this town. Like other major cities, it faces a homelessness issue and unfortunately has a reputation due to chaotic events that occurred several years ago. Initially, we were very concerned about this, but we've heard that the city is gradually getting back on track. Funding for the police has been increased, and they have reversed the legislation that legalized hard drug use. We’ve witnessed some improvements and believe that the city will thrive again in a few years—amen to that!
Timing is everything, and we were blessed to find the right house in the right location. We live in the Southwest Hills of Portland, known locally as “The Hills,” surrounded by lush greenery and forests. We can Uber to downtown Portland or the Pearl District in just 10 minutes, reach the Japanese Garden in 3 minutes, and get to the Arboretum, Pittock Mansion, or the Oregon Zoo in 5 minutes. Uber Eats has become our best friend as we settle into our new home or when we’re too lazy to cook or go out.
We can also take short trips to Cannon Beach, Multnomah Falls, or the Tillamook Creamery, all within an hour's drive, and it’s just 1.5 hours to ski at Mt. Hood. We are overjoyed. We plan to experience the full winter season (rainy and overcast) to see which month we might need a break to warm up—perhaps in Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean. But one thing is for sure: we won’t need to escape the heat for two months straight anymore! Adios to that.
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