But aren't the people you're complaining about also transplants? Anyone who "got on the Keep Portland Weird bandwagon" and thinks that's cool is obviously not from here. Seems to me that your aunt and uncle are running into other transplants who are treating them like, well, other transplants.

We all agree then: Transplants (including your aunt and uncle) are the problem.

Without transplants, Portland would never have become the cool, "weird" place it did. Face it; some of the best things about this town came from elsewhere (including the "Keep Portland Weird" slogan, which was a gift from one indie record store owner in Austin to another in Portland).

I came here from Austin in 1991. Both kids were born here (anchor babies?;) I've lived all over this town since and it's all Portland...in fact, nowadays, MOST of Portland lives beyond NE 82nd. I saw the same bullshit happen in Austin, with spiraling housing costs and the Mc-fication of everything. It happens. They eventually figure out how awesome a certain place and way of life is and rush in to ruin it. Die yuppie scum. I totally agree. But see, we came here and lived and had our artsy business in inner NE back when it was the 'hood. Don't blame us for the subsequent gentrification; we were priced out like everyone else.

Truth be told, the current housing crisis (which I am caught square in the middle of) is being perpetrated more by LOCALS than by transplants. Natives/locals taking advantage of the influx of interest and funds to jack up rents and asking prices and/or to buy up the few remaining affordable units of housing for a quick flip at 3 times the price.

This too shall pass. And Portland (and those of us, native or transplant) who love this place will still be here. Maybe a little further out from the red-hot center, but here. And still keeping it weird.