RENT REVOLUTION
RE: "Pricing Out Portland's Artists" [Feature, May 27], regarding high rents and development pushing creatives out of the city.
If we don't stem the high rent in PDX, it will become as bland as a retirement village. Developers are sucking the life out of our historical neighborhoods. But it's not just artists being pushed out, it's singles, young families, the elderly—the core of residents who provide the joy of being here.
The city needs to establish landlord guidelines—and landlords need to be accountable to tenant rights. But everyone turns a blind eye. Well, you better open them because the change that's coming ain't pretty, and it affects all of us!
posted by NoPo7501
This year I moved to Detroit. I bought a house for what I used to pay in yearly rent in Portland—a nice one with good neighbors. I've been able to get more creative work done this year than in the past two combined, because my resources aren't tied up with eating and rent.
Developers will continue to make it a paradise for rich kids who are willing to pay way too much to be in a "cool city" made "cool" by the working class.
Portland is unique and beautiful, but that doesn't matter if you're living below the poverty line.
posted by Blanka Black
RE: Everything as Fuck [May 27], regarding a Willamette Week article in which author Tyler Hurst defensively defends his choice to live in the Burnside 26 development.
Some of us have lost our homes, not our favorite bar, restaurant, whatever... our HOMES. All to greedy developers who can't wait to tear down that turn-of-the-century building to build another overly priced condo for d-bags like Tyler Hurst. It's not about keeping things the same, it's about dipshits like him coming here, rubbing it in our faces, and destroying Portland one microbrew growler at a time.
posted by Sarah 1
There is a place for people who think they are cool because of the apartment they rent. And that place is Seattle.
posted by Around
WW is the online blog for the douchiest brand of newcomers. ("Douchecomers?") They spend their column inches trying desperately to appear as if they have a clue about what Portland is all about. "I lived in a van!" "I love microbrews!" "Pourover coffee! You've probably never heard of it until now!" I haven't read such useless self-congratulatory crap since it appeared in my college newspaper.
posted by Aunti
RE: "Newsflash: Newbies Aren't Ruining Portland (But Here's Something That Might) [Blogtown, May 28], in which Wm. Steven Humphrey encourages Portland's newbies and oldies to bring the creativity.
TO WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY: I'm a native, and wanted to say thanks for this great article. It has an important message—particularly for those of us who ARE a touch bitter about the rising percentage of imports in our city. You made me look at it in a more constructive light. I'll be nicer to the newbs, and try to focus on entertaining. ;)
B
I recently had a conversion with someone who recently moved here. When I asked why, she replied, "Portland was too weird a few years ago, but now it's really nice." It's obvious these people upset us, and we COULD whine, moan, or just give up and leave. To that I say, NAY. I say we stay and fight! Nail dildos to the trees in Laurelhurst Park. Sell "healing crystals" off a Mexican blanket in front of Pok Pok. Dress as a clown and skateboard through the Pearl while singing, "Party in the USA." Make the Naked Bike Ride a monthly event. Yell, "HEY DOUCHEKING!" to that dipshit from Burnside 26. Tie bouquets of balloons to the mirrors of all cars with out-of-state plates. Steak and Blowjob Day Parade! Have house parties that swell to more than 100 people (most of whom you don't know). It will be Portland times 1,000. It will be more Portland than any SF yuppie can handle. We can fight them with hatred, or we can fight them with what makes us amazing. Let's make Portland WEIRDER.
Anonymous
What Anonymous said. She/he wins the Mercury letter of the week and two passes to the Laurelhurst Theater, where they cater to all manner of "weird."
