5 Reasons I Left Portland, Oregon │ Where I Live Instead!

In this video we will explore Portland, Oregon on foot and try not to get robbed or step on any needles! I will discuss why I left the city and will NEVER move back. I will also talk about where I currently live instead and my monthly budget to live there! Let’s go!
This link below is where I Live instead! I lived here for over 3 months on just $700-$900/month and played beach volleyball, ate quesadillas, rode my longboard, and best of all, spent my days smiling and laughing!
• RETIRE in Playa Del Ca...

[@paulvanier429]

By the way Texas is 123 degrees in May, you can keep it; very happy in the Pacific North West

[@theropemonster]

Fair enough! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoy the PNW!

[@DashBorad_P]

You make it seem like Texas is the hottest state… 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I rather take Texas cheap living than moving back to an over price Portland….. Portland is turning into another L.A.. Portland would never go back to the way it was 18 years ago.. that even Portland was a beautiful city..

[@Eagles_SB_BOUND]

I'm from California. Moved to Houston Texas in 2019 Moved San Antonio back February of 2024 man I hate the Texas heat thinking of checking portland out it can't be that bad

[@TheGriffin005]

I live here and I totally understand your reasons for leaving. Portland was a great city 10 years ago, today it's much less than that. I hope it gets better but I also am looking for an exit soon. Thanks for sharing and best of luck on your endeavors.

[@theropemonster]

Great point, 10+ years ago I still enjoyed Portland too. Thanks for watching and for the kind words, best of luck on your exit strategy!

[@dolittle6781]

City looks nicer than I expected. As for your concerns they are par for the course nowadays in most big cities. My sense of it is that things have always pretty much been like this going back a couple of centuries and beyond. At least you have the means to leave. And well we must count our blessings-not being homeless, being of sound mind, physically and mentally healthy, and so on. Life is short. Try to be grateful for the things you have and be happy-even in the midst of high taxes and rainy weather. As a friend once told me, “Things could be much worse.”

[@theropemonster]

Words of wisdom. I’m definitely making the most of my time and fully enjoying the time with my dad… nothing like father and son time ❤️. Even with the rain, we have more than enough to be grateful for. Thanks for watching and for sharing your perspective!

[@dolittle6781]

@@theropemonster Father and son spending time together. That’s what I’m takin about!

[@KelsandQuentin]

love your outlook @dolittle6781! it's true - things could be so much worse, and we've seen a ton of improvement even just these last few months. as a local, I am super grateful for all the cool things Portland still has to offer.

[@BrigittePatrice4750]

lived here for 20 years, love it more everyday. maybe if you become part of the helping team, theres a lot of great souls.

[@theropemonster]

So glad you’re happy there! It’s just not for me anymore, but I have no doubt that improvements can be made there. Thanks for watching 🙏🏼❤️

[@silaslizzie43]

Lived here for over 50 years. It has become an absolute toilet, thanks to a lot of people 'helping' to destroy the place.

[@Bradgilliswhammyman]

prices are absolutely ridiculous. 36,000 a year in rent..... You better be making six figures after tax to afford that.

[@theropemonster]

Right. And even being able to afford it, it still feels like a tremendous waste of money to pay it. Thanks for watching Brad, much appreciated.

[@dearfinesoul]

After 5 years of living in North Portland ( multnomah county) We have sold our home and moved out of this city. There is no hope for Portland. No leadership. Anarchy, Gender Ideology , Homeless Drug Addicts, Crime, Garbage , High Taxes.. The truth is the City has more money than they know what to do with. Money just disappears and no one is held accountable… Today we are living in Happy Valley , Oregon. Just 30 miles away and what a HUGE difference. Back to Civilization …….🎉

[@theropemonster]

So glad to hear you made it out of there!! It really is unbearable and unbelievable… the lack of accountability by “leadership” is despicable. All the best to you and your family and thanks for watching!

[@typhoon320i]

Why do people say stupid things like "Texas has no income tax" They just charge you taxes on other things, like high property taxes. They all have to get the money from somewhere. Do you think "no income tax states" just don't have any costs? They do.

[@theropemonster]

I get your point on the “money having to come from somewhere”. But I never said those states have no costs. My point is that for high earners or people who consume very little or a combination of both, the taxes are much lower. Look at NBA players or executives for example, they love to go to TX for that reason. Also, if one rents instead of buys, they’re not paying property taxes. Sales tax is in the consumers control in the sense that the more one consumes, the more tax they pay. Buy a Hyundai, pay less taxes than an M Series BMW… hopefully that clarifies my point. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment.

[@typhoon320i]

@@theropemonster renters still pay property taxes. It’s not like the landlord doesn’t take that cost into account when determining rent prices.

[@Buckseed]

High property taxes, sales tax and highway tolls. Plus you can't walk around Texas so you are burning a lot of money in gas too!

[@wolf-vs-wolf]

Something else people don’t consider is home insurance costs in the state. Texas is 2nd highest in that area.

[@BigSky000]

@@theropemonster Sales tax is an extremely regressive tax. For someone making $1000/mo, there's no wiggle room for additional costs, yet they still have basic human needs and are paying the same percentage tax on a purchase as someone making $10,000/mo, for whom there's capacious room for anything, yet the person making $10K/mo is still just one person, and even someone relatively wealthy still can only consume so much. Effectively, with sales tax, the poor pay a much higher percentage of their income than do the wealthy.

[@justpassingthrough4802]

Best view of Portland? Seeing it in my rear view mirror as I headed east on I84 to Florida 3 years ago. Best decision ever.

[@theropemonster]

Nice job making it out!! I love that view too 😎. Thanks for watching!

[@gordonsteen8415]

Hot summer, Hurricanes coming.

[@Tally1962]

bye

[@comeconcon569]

Food trucks are called food carts in Portland, and City Councilors City Commissioners.

[@MomentswithDavid]

They used to be called roach coachs 😂

[@akahina]

I'm so glad you are a part of the solution! Thank you for leaving.

[@silaslizzie43]

Too bad you seem to be part of the problem!

[@frankmclaughlin1749]

I saw the thumbnail and immediately recognized where you were. I live across the river... for now. Hoping to be in playa by next year.

[@theropemonster]

Look forward to seeing you in the promised land down there! Are you planning on moving to Playa full time? Thanks for checking out the video Frank!

[@frankmclaughlin1749]

@@theropemonster the plan is to start by staying there for 6 months then try Guadalajara for the next 6 and decide after that. Hope you were here for some of the real nice days we had last week.

[@danielkrug2454]

I'm back in the U.S. too. My body craves the beach. I hope all is well!

[@theropemonster]

Hey Dan! It was great playing volleyball with you down there, Playa is definitely a different vibe! Hope your flight back was smoother than mine 🤣🤣

[@robertsutton3001]

Honestly we need to consider how inflation affects our economy. Everything went up drastically. Rent, interest rates, price for everything, home prices, property taxes and everything else. The government will never admit the sold us out with the omnibus spending bills we been doing

[@theropemonster]

Such a valid point!! Thanks for that insight Robert and thanks for watching!

[@KeikoFXDesigns]

Luck man... I live in Milwaukie area... I remember 15yrs ago I could walk around shit faced drunk and staggering on the street walking home with no problems... NOT NO MORE!

[@theropemonster]

Yea man I grew up being able to do that too in SW Portland too… a lot changed in those 15 years no doubt. Thanks for watching man, appreciate you.

[@KeikoFXDesigns]

@@theropemonster No problem.

[@phucdong-er6ct]

thanks for this. I am miserable in tacoma, washington. There must be better places. to live. subscribed. I look forward to seeing mexico.

[@theropemonster]

Glad you liked the video! Sorry to hear that about Tacoma, but I can totally imagine why. The good news, there are definitely better places! Hang in there my friend, and thanks for watching. I did a video about retiring early on a budget of only $700-$900/month in a specific neighborhood in Playa Del Carmen. I’ll link it in the description… hopefully that gives you some hope! All the best to you 🙏🏼

[@Skoshman]

I want to push back on this but I won't. A lot of your reasons for leaving are nearly self-inflicted exposure to common problems found in every city. You chose to just hangout in the exact areas to avoid? I could go on, but thanks for posting this video, it'll likely bring rent prices down in NW. keep at it!!

[@theropemonster]

I could have filmed out on 82nd lol. Under the Burnside Bridge maybe? Ridiculous taxes are self inflicted? I do hope you’re right about the rents coming down from this video though 😅. All the best to you. Simply pointing out that there are better places to live for the money. Just my opinion.

[@mfranck1]

@@theropemonsterwhere?

[@z123462075]

beautiful city

[@GeneReynolds-xc6ws]

Seattle Washington and Portland Oregon same in every way mirror two cities 😊😂😅

[@theropemonster]

Totally agree Gene!! Neither will do 🤣.. can’t wait to get back to MX and get in the water, eat a quesadilla, kiss my girlfriend and ride my longboard 😎. Thanks for watching!! All the best to you

[@gordonsteen8415]

@@theropemonster Seattle is more expensive.

[@mexsouriman05]

Sad news about your home town my friend. I can barely wait to not wrar my work clothes every single day. Give me shorts and a t-shirt. Too old for the volleyball tho, sadly 😂

[@theropemonster]

Thanks, can’t believe how depressing it was to be walking around there. Surreal. Regarding the volleyball… sometimes I feel too old as well… solution=grab a beer and just come hang out and watch 🍻 😜 Thanks for watching, my friend! Hope you can ditch the work clothes and head south soon 🇲🇽 🏝️

[@mexsouriman05]

@@theropemonster I could definitely have a cold one and watch some fun. 🍻👍

[@babyboomercritic1119]

I love Portland. The unhoused are really not a problem for me. I haven't been robbed or stepped on any needles. I doubt you have ever really been here.

[@theropemonster]

I was literally just there… in that video lol 😂. Also born and raised there so… were you there in 2020-2021? The entirety of downtown and its sidewalks and parks were literally full.

[@babyboomercritic1119]

@@theropemonster Absolutely here in 2020-21. I loved BLM as a movement and hope for something even bigger in the future. Really, you need to let go of all that resentment. It will age you badly.

[@silaslizzie43]

Actually, it sounds like YOU haven't been here. Just because you haven't been targeted yet means absolutely nothing.

[@silaslizzie43]

@@babyboomercritic1119 You're part of the problem.

[@babyboomercritic1119]

@@silaslizzie43 I love this town. Smaller than NYC and far more loving. You are jealous of Portland's Greatness.

[@Eagles_SB_BOUND]

Texas is hot really really hot!!! Good luck man. Im sick of the texas heat. Damn man after watching your full video. It seems you relocated to mexico. I'm latino man i'd never move to Mexico. I rather live in pdx or somewhere in the states.

[@theropemonster]

I still love the PNW, the forests, rivers, coast etc. And I definitely think Portland has its bright spots. For me, it just wasn’t worth the cost of living anymore and I truly love Mexico. But it just shows how different everyone is. I know many people who seem truly happy in PDX, and many who want so badly to get out. Many thanks for checking out the video and for sharing your thoughts. All the best to you! We are currently going through a hurricane here, so it’s not always rainbows and sunshine 😅. Salud 🍻 😎

[@InBrz]

HEY --Time to buy something in PDC ! Used to visit Portland on an oil tanker back in the late 80's, Remember all the pubs and live music. SURE LOOKS DIFFERENT NOW ! Am lucky I bought my apto here in Brasil in 2022 so I don't have a rent payment. With everything ; food, gas for the car, eating out, water- paying about $600 usd Don't know what a 2br apto would cost in MEX but here in BR it's commonly as little as $25,000, that's along the coastal cities from south to north. Actually the north is somewhat cheaper, I just remembered an apto just south of Recife in an ok area that tends to flood for $$16,000 ! I'd live there ! Has dirt streets. Poor lady has been trying to sell it for at least 6 months. The south is like living in Europe and is more expensive but not terribly more, full of Italians and Germans and eastern Europeans- Ukrainians, Russians, Czech

[@theropemonster]

Hey my friend!! Wow, $600usd sounds about perfect! Brazil is still on our list and we really appreciate the info! And yes, Portland has changed so much… kind of a cesspool now 🤣. Thanks so much for watching and your continued support of the channel!

[@OsmosisJones93]

I can't believe that the driver thought "homeless" means you do not own a home and rent.. ..

[@theropemonster]

Yea I was surprised by that too. There are so few homeless and beggars in Vallarta.. just not something you see. No tents or needles on the sidewalks… just a few drunks 🤪. Thanks for watching!

[@LRBeforeTheInternet]

You could probably do a top 100 reasons video. LOL :)

[@theropemonster]

Hahaha no kidding!! I would say “challenge accepted” but I’m already about to be far, far away from that cesspool 🤣. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@LRBeforeTheInternet]

@@theropemonster Get out to the country, young man, and don't look back!

[@jmcw]

I used to live in Portland many many years ago, and I get some of your reasons, however being bummed by having to see homeless people is not a great reason imo.

[@theropemonster]

I see your point. There’s a deeper reason behind it for me though and I also just hate to see the suffering. Definitely not pointing fingers at them. Thanks for watching and all the best to you.

[@randalhampton2966]

Sooooo - move them all to your house - be the change you want to see in the world

[@lucyfair9907]

The Argentine president put his country's economy back on its feet, by dealing with civil servants who are doing nothing, that is to say, sending them into unemployment. I think the key is for cities that want to recover their economy to control real estate speculation and make cuts. strict budgetary measures at the level of municipal expenditure

[@theropemonster]

Great parallel and ideas there! Thanks for watching and for sharing

[@gordonsteen8415]

Check the murder rent in Mexico.

[@theropemonster]

😅… just got done with beach volleyball and walked home. Felt pretty safe lol. The “murder rate” in Mexico is a ridiculous stat because so many of the murders are cartel vs cartel and on the outskirts and in the mountains. Like Acapulco having the “highest murder rate in the world”… 98% of those murders were in the mountains well outside of the city. Food for thought

[@typhoon320i]

maybe the guy was just looking at you BECAUSE you have an iPhone on a gimble. Was he was robbing you in his mind? Cause as far as I could tell there wasn't even an attempted robbery.

[@theropemonster]

lol there was no attempted robbery and I never said there was… but I’ve been around long enough to know when someone is internally battling the urge to rob me or giving me the old stink eye 😅.

[@typhoon320i]

@@theropemonster Yeah I've been around a long time too, 56 years. if someone is looking your way, but doesn't do a damn thing, I don't think you are he best judge of the "internal battle" that's going on in his mind.

[@sundager8735]

You get what you vote for, you voted for people who put in policies that had cascading effects, until that mine think changes it will get worse and worse and worse

[@methus57]

Overpopulation sucks. All big cities were better 30 years ago

[@theropemonster]

Yea no doubt. The struggle in Portland seems to be in part due to how quickly the population blew up… infrastructure hasn’t had a chance to catch up. Seems to be in the works in both Portland and in Salem though. Thanks for watching 😎

[@randalhampton2966]

Democrats - "TAX AND SPEND - TAX AND SPEND - TI'LL THE END...

[@theropemonster]

It really is a bizarre cycle that can’t possibly end well. Irresponsible at best. Thanks for watching and for your feedback, my friend! All the best to you

[@Danlandia1]

It’s nearly completely clean down there and you knew it by saying it felt “ominous” because you couldn’t find any tents or junkies or any of the shit you’re complaining about. It’s not Portland’s fault that you don’t own property here. You need to put down the barbells and surf board and put your shoes back on and you can own property here too. Just like your family.

[@theropemonster]

Well, you’re making a number of assumptions there: numbers one and two being that I even want to own property in Portland and that I can’t afford it. I have opted to instead allocate that capital to retiring early and challenging myself to find a home outside of the U.S. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Every place has its problems but it’s more about what’s right for each individual situation. I lived in the Irvington neighborhood in Portland about 15 years ago and had some good times there, but even back then it was expensive for what it is. I thoroughly enjoy Ecuador and Mexico and also really like the idea of spending part of the year in Greece (I was there in 2018 and loved it). I realize that lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Thanks for sharing your opinions and for watching.

[@Buckseed]

Portland is clean up now. But the placed looked burned out in the 90's....a bunch of heroin user along Burnside for sure...it reminded me of Reno, NV.

[@BigJokeMortgageBank]

When the ugly and disgusting food truck clusters appeared at almost every city corner years ago in Portland like cancers spread all over, I knew this city was fcked and beyond salvage.

[@theropemonster]

No doubt man, that was the warning sign! Such a cesspool there now. Hope you’re well.