Portland, Oregon Update
This past year’s drift took me from downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota to downtown Portland, Oregon.
The adventure started last October (2024) when I applied to Veteran Affairs (VA) as a Rating-Veteran Service Representative (RVSR).
My job as a realtor in Minnesota was not panning out, so I decided to put the graduate degree to work. The real estate market had been (and still is) historically suppressed because of super-low interest rates followed by 20-year high interest rates. Nobody is selling. No one is looking. No one is building still (compared to 20-years ago). Miraculously, I was able to help two buyers find a home (while over 60% of realtors didn’t have one sale). It was pretty clear after a year, things were not going to work themselves out in the short term.
I applied to the VA in Portland on a tip from an Army roommate. It’s kind of nice when someone can give you a heads up on a career. Not everyone has that kind of intel.
Surprisingly, the VA responded quickly and offered me a job. I was told that I needed to get to Portland shortly after my lease expired at 240 Park Avenue. I was up for the adventure. No family and only a carload of stuff? Let’s go!
I have housing ready to roll in Portland. My Army buddy that tuned me into the job, agrees to give me a place to stay for a month as I figured out my housing situation in Portland. Shortly after arriving in Portland, in December (2024), I move in with another infantry guy in South East Portland. He’s got his own health issues from war, but he’s got character, a sense of humor, and loves art/music. As an infantry veteran myself, this is a good start to a new place.
Fast-forward through a dark, wet, and depressing Northwest Winter in Portland, spring arrives. I survive the drudgery of no sun. I survive the DOGE of President Trump and Elon Musk slashing federal government jobs such as mine. I survive the shit-talking of small town former employers during my security clearance for my new job. I survive the wild-man living with another infantry veteran.
As summer ends this week in 2025, I am sitting better than I was when I arrived.
I find a townhouse with a great location to rent within walking distance of my office for a “reasonable” price.
The apartment has many upgrades from a basement in South East Portland. I live on the Willamette River. I have no roommates. I have a garage for my car. I have no one living above or below me. There are no fur baby roommates causing craziness.
The apartment has high ceilings. Bigger bedroom. Deck. In-townhouse laundry on the floor of my bedroom. Good lighting. Decent bathroom. Open kitchen/living room concept. Plenty of room to easily host 7-12 people for a gathering such as an NFL football game. Great location to invade downtown Portland with its food, arts, and music.
I have a mailing address for the first time in 9-months. The basement apartment did not have an address.
Having a mailing address means I can now become a voting citizen of Oregon.
Having a mailing address means I can now get an Oregon driver’s license.
Having a mailing address means I can now register my Honda Accord vehicle from Minnesota.
This pretty much get’s my 9-month story up to date.
I have a good job that pays the bills. I have a license and vehicle. I have a cool neighborhood.
This is the beginning of a new drift-chapter in my move to Portland.
