It seems as if you're determined that I'm "bitter." I'm really not. Like I said before, I took a lot away from Portland and actually DO think the city is impressive in many ways (just not always the ways you think it's impressive). "Let down" or "annoyed" would be a better term.
Just for the record, to be "annoyed at" is the definition of resentful, and to be bitter is to resent.
I understand what you are saying here, but it doesn't play out with the posts I have read from you time and again. I know you are trying to appear as though there are some aspects of Portland you liked, but in every other thread it seems as though you are either attributing our restaurant success to a media conspiracy propelled by one or two chefs with connections to foodie circles, or are saying the other urban successes are a dime a dozen outside of Maine (hence my earlier comment about you appearing to think anyone who loves Portland is naive). I'll take you for your word that these things aren't true, but I am basing my opinion off of dozens of posts that suggest the opposite. Is there a reason you were the only one of your friends who was less than satisfied with Portland? Don't get me wrong, I know it has its shortcomings, and I am usually the first to admit and criticize the place for them (which is what I do most on this forum) but to constantly denounce the place in the manner typical of your posts is a little suspicious, leading me to suspect some bitterness.
To top it off, the city was so small and isolated away from everything that it became almost suffocating. Hence the "bad fit" thing. It just wasn't for me and I'm not at all bitter about that.
Burlington, VT is isolated. You have to leave the country to get to a nearby metropolis. Bangor, maybe. Portland? I don't see it. Removed from the BosWash, sure. Isolated? Might we be a bit exaggerating? It's 45 minutes to Portsmouth, another great little town, and 1 hour 45 minutes to Boston. I realize its not the same as Providence to Boston, but that is hardly the defining characteristic of "isolated."
Most larger cities have a blend of people. Some locals who spent their entire lives there, some transplants from all over the country and all four corners of the earth, and some just passing through. What's generally true is that many of these people HAVE to live there for some reason or another. It could be the only place they can find a good paying job or it could be that they are dependent on the system (welfare, disability, etc) and can't leave. As a result, there is a good chunk of the population that ranges from "less than thrilled" to "don't like it at all" living in many of these cities. Look at the Boston forum here on Archboston. There are ALWAYS people criticizing all aspects of the city (amenities, mentality, development, etc). The good thing about this is that those who don't like it will often "check" those with over-the-top civic pride and keep both sides on sort of an even keel. Civic pride is a good thing as it makes people take interest in their city. In Portland, it's unchecked and at times it's as aggravating as it is helpful for the city (again, it's hard to say civic pride is a bad thing). I think this is because Portland isn't one of those places that people HAVE to be.
Look, nobody thinks Portland is all "peaches and roses." In fact, most Mainers dislike Portland precisely because there IS a blend of people living here, from all over the world, and of all economic classes. The largest Sudanese refugee population in the country is located in Portland. Those "dependent on the system" are all over the place. Downtown Portland (the peninsula) is exactly what you described above. It is a very new trend for people to live on the peninsula by choice.
I just have to point out, also, that if Portland lacks something, it is over the top civic pride (and a 20+ story building!). We could benefit from some more of it. If we had the sort of pride attributed to us by you, we wouldn't have the generic development that has been taking place here, and we would be OK with investing more money in civic improvements. Its not a city devoid altogether of pride, but it sure isn't what the magazines would suggest. If anyone has over the top pride, its the monthly magazines (aimed at transplants).
There are cheaper cities and towns that offer more work opportunity than Portland. Most people who live in Portland do so because they want to. Not necessarily because they need to.
This is laughable. I'm not sure what Portland you lived in. This view applies perhaps to some of the suburban parts of Portland, and the brand new luxury in-town population, but not much else. And lets be honest, when we like Portland, we mean we like Downtown Portland, or urban Portland, which is the exact opposite of how you describe it.
The result is that it's very difficult to have a conversation with someone in Portland if you're not convinced that Portland is the most awesome city on earth.
Again, laughable. I can't walk two steps without someone complaining about "the City" and what a bad job it does handling things, or how it is too crowded, not enough parking, etc. It is rare, unfortunately, to meet someone who is a resident-native of Portland and raves about the place. Most who do are those who can afford the opportunities for recreation it allows, or people who are interested in cities, not the everyday Joe. Please, do tell, who are these hoards of Portland fanatics that you speak of?
This back and forth is a good example. You're trying to be civil, but it's clear that my lack of enthusiasm for Portland bothers you when it really shouldn't. I'm just one person after all. But this isn't uncommon. I hardly just rant about whatever is on my mind, and I'm generally sensitive to other people's feelings. I've been plenty complimentary of Portland in many ways and that's how I am in person too. However, if I ever disagreed that something in Portland wasn't as "awesome" as someone else thought, you would think by their reaction that I just said Hitler should be canonized.
I am trying to be civil because although your comments do bother me--and they
do--it is hardly worth it to escalate this matter beyond the current dialogue. I'd be much more tenacious in person.
I got the same feeling about Burlington, VT when I was there (anything less than perfect and I felt ostracized. That isn't the vibe I was going for, but if that is how I am coming across I apologize. I just don't see the compliments of Portland you keep referring to. What I see is a "Portland has plenty of pros (without listing a single one), BUT here are the overwhelming cons (listing each in detail).
Then there's the defensiveness. My god it's tough. If a debate puts Portland's "greatness" into question, the defensiveness is on display. For example, if someone is talking about how "awesome" the Old Port is for nightlife they'll use big exaggerations often equating it with nightlife in other known nightlife locations (real life example: "Wharf Street has the atmosphere of Bourbon St. when the bars let out" as told by someone who, of course, had never been to New Orleans) to really emphasize just how awesome it is. Then when they are contradicted, the response is "Well, We're not Boston!" (as if Boston itself is a major nightlife hotspot, but that's another story) in a huffy, angry tone. Not to pick on you, but you did just that a few posts back. I said Portland's skyline doesn't really stand out and you mentioned how you think it does and how it's unique for Maine (which I do agree with). After a little more debate, you begrudgingly conceded, "We get it, we're not Chicago or even Springfield." Right. So which is it? Is Portland's skyline "Magnificent" on a world-wide level (even though you admit it's not even as impressive as Springfield's), or is it impressive relative to Maine? I This type of stuff happened on a near daily basis with smart, well-traveled people in Portland.
Fair enough. Portland is not Bourbon Street. However, does it have to be king of the hill to not suck? Just wondering. I think your point about saying "we're not Boston" is spot on, my own comments included (as you so nicely pointed out), but that's not so much a Portland resident thing as it is a normal reaction to argument. In fact, you do the same thing as well (and everyone does). When you do it, its not in reference to a city, but to your own attitudes as regard a city or cities. Example: You: Portland sucks. Me: you're bitter. You: Portland has plenty of great aspects. It's simply a way of showing the other side you're not delusional.
Finally, just to reiterate, I hardly think that anyone who enjoys Portland is naive. I enjoy Portland. I don't want to live there again, but I enjoy visiting. My only problem with the people (not everyone, and next to no one on this forum... my girlfriend of 5 years and some of my close friends are from Portland) is the absolute unchecked pride. I don't think that anyone here is naive. I just think that sometimes, the local pride really gets in the way of some opinions. Most of the time, though, the Portland discussion is fun and informative. You really know your stuff. I add my two cents based on my experiences, but if it bothers you that much I'm more than fine with refraining from posting about Portland so you don't have any more negative vibes.
You know, it really sucks that it has to be an ultimatum like this, and that was not at all my intention. However, I feel compelled to point out that you are just about the only person, resident or visitor, that rags on Portland on a constant basis. And speaking of pride, some introspection on your part is in order. A while back, I made a comment like "not to go all negative on Providence, but the place is a dump..." to which you immediately responded in a fierce tone, perceptible even over the internet, for which you later apologized and attributed to drunk posting. I mean, for its success, Providence deserves the acclaim it gets, but it is ratty in plenty of areas. I don't think my reaction to your posts on Portland are half as bad as how you responded to the comment I made about Providence, and you don't even live there anymore.
So, in sum, although I understand your insistence that you are not bitter, it comes off as bitterness most of the time. But, that being said, no, I do not want you to refrain from posting.
It's unfortunately Maine's tallest and we are stuck with it.
