Longtime members of SYD know that for many years I lived in San Francisco, California. I moved there in 1979 and never thought I'd move away. But in recent years, it has seriously lost its luster. So what's wrong? It's too crowded, too congested and too expensive. Perhaps more importantly, San Franciscans seem to have lost the pride of place that drew me there. So a bit over a year ago I decided it was time to move on.

But where? I wanted to stay on the west coast and I wanted an urban environment. I don't like southern California so that ruled out Los Angeles and San Diego. So what's left on the west coast? Seattle and Portland.

I had never been to Portland so last August my husband and I made a one week visit. We certainly planned on looking a real estate, but I didn't think it would go beyond looking. We found a condominium we like and made an offer. We came to terms with the sellers and on November 5 we took up residence here in Portland.

I've lost track of the number of times I've been asked (by Portlanders!) why I moved here from San Francisco. After nearly nine months here I say without hesitation that Portland is better. It's clean and green (trees everywhere!) with a nice touch of weird. And Portlanders love their city. Kinda like San Francisco was twenty years ago before it got spoiled.

I pretty much had to drag my husband here kicking and screaming, but he, too, has grown to love the city. It's truly the treasure of the west coast.