Portland, Oregon...anyone?



We got the very exciting news yesterday that McKay, McKenna and baby Grant 
are moving to Portland, Oregon!  
McKay was offered a job there with a health insurance company as an actuary. 
The company is letting him finish up this semester of grad school, 
and then they will begin their new life and job on April 30th. 

I am very excited for them on many levels. 
But also for a selfish reason on my part. McKay is 28 now, 
and ever since he left home at age 19 to serve his mission, 
and then has been at BYU ever since, 
I have never ever seen any of the places he has lived....in all those 9 years.

But now, since Portland has a low elevation, I get to GO! 
I get to see him and his sweet McKenna in their life...not just in my life. 
Does that make sense?

I promised them I will NOT be a pest, but I will get to visit.

So my question to you, is...Do you know anything about Portland? 
Have you lived there? 
Do you have an opinion on where in the area is best to live? 
I think my Dad drove us through there when I was 7 on the way to Washington, 
but I don't remember anything about it.

I did learn one thing about Portland last night. 
The McKs might want to consider keeping Grant inside on the 2nd Saturday of every month. 
That is the day it is legal to ride your bike in the nude. 
Not sure if it's true, but that's what we've been told. 

Oh, and also it's illegal to pump your own gas in Portland. That I could really love.

And no sales tax. I can't imagine.

21 comments:

Ammy said...

John and I have always wanted to live there...I'm jealous!

Susan Anderson said...

I don't know much about Portland, but it seems like the people who live there love it.

And the best thing of all is that you will be able to visit!

=)

Nate and Julie said...

I had a room mate from Portland and she could not say enough good things about it. No sales tax, very lush and green, gorgeous temple, etc etc. Some little quirks include the not pumping your own gas and u-turns are illegal (that would be bad for me, I get lost a lot and depend on u-turns!) How exciting for McKay and McKenna!

McKenna Heasley said...

You could never be a pest. We can't wait for you to visit!!! And we can't wait to move out there! We feel very, very blessed.

Mar~ said...

I love Portland! I love the northwest since I grew up in Seattle. I hope they don't mind a little rain... :)
It is so beautiful. How happy I am for you to get to go to visit them! That is such great news! How far of a drive is it from your home?

Grandma Honey said...

Really Julie, no u-turns? That would feel so odd. I have directional issues too.

Mar~ We figure it would be about a 13 hour drive from where we live. Is Portland similar in many ways as Seattle?

Karen Mortensen said...

That is so wonderful. I want to visit them with you.

Yolanda said...

Aunt Wanda is now living in Lake Oswego, which is south of Portland! Congratulations to McKay and family.

Grandma Honey said...

Yolanda, Hi!
I had no idea Aunt Wanda was so close to Portland. When we go there in May I will try to see her. Dennis said it is just right outside the city. Thank you so much for letting me know!

Rebecca said...

How exciting! I love Oregon. I would move there in a heartbeat if I could. As to where to live. I personally would not want to live in the city. I do know that many people who work in Portland live across the bridge in Washington, just a short drive and much quieter suburbs/lower prices too on homes, etc. My sister in law/brother in law do that, let me know if McKay would want to talk to them. They would be happy to talk to him and answer any questions he has.

the Rich girl said...

We are going to miss McKay, McKenna, and Grant so much! BUT we are very excited for them, especially because we know that this is what they were hoping would happen. And maybe one day we'll get to visit/move out there ourselves.

And everyone I've ever met from Portland loves it. In fact, after meeting so many people who loved it so much, I've really wanted to visit Portland myself.

Congratulations to McKay for landing this job!

Scrapally said...

That is such exciting news! I am happy for you and for the mcks! I have only ever heard good things about Oregon too..I'm sure they will love it.

Heidi Garvin said...

Jill, my parents lived in Portland after they first got married! My dad went to college there. It's definitely been a while since they've been there, though.

Congrats to McKay on the new job!

Tyler Heasley said...

Can we move to Portland too? Because that would be awesome. Just give me a few years to finish school.

Heather said...

We are so excited for McKenna and McKay! And also very happy that you will get to visit them, I totally know what you mean about visiting them "in their life." As we get settled in Connecticut, I keep thinking how I can't wait to show my parents and Jared's parents our home and the area where we live, I know McKay and McKenna will feel the same way about you and Dennis!

Mar~ said...

Yes, Jill, both Portland and Seattle, WA and OR states for that matter, are very lush and green and absolutely lovely! There is a lot to do and see. Lovely, rugged coast lines.
I had told Jonathan when we married that I hoped we could live in the northwest one day. Sadly, I have never had the opportunity to go back. I hope they will love it there! Everywhere I go, I meet someone from the northwest and we always become fast friends! Good people! (There are good people everywhere). I'm so excited for you and them! It will be fun to see where they end up, etc. Such an exciting time in their lives!

Ann said...

sorry grandma honey the factory outlet is http://web.oregon.com/shopping/outlet_shopping.cfm - woodburn.... :)

Anonymous said...

Portland is a very liberal city. Very environmentally conscious. Lots and lots of great cultural stuff happening there. I think they might like it. I bet there's a huge LDS church there.
darlene

Anonymous said...

There is also a huge bookstore that covers several blocks. They need to check that out!
I could never live there though. Too much RAIN!
darlene

Lisa said...

Portland is a DREAM! So exciting to hear especially for you. The problem though is I bet you'll want to move there yourself! We're going there for a wedding in May & we're taking the train to Seattle from Portland to see Jacki & Ben. Jacki said the train on that route is really COOL so that's something to think about. There's so much to do there & the rain doesn't stop people from doing their thing. The GREAT OUTDOORS. THanks for sharing this EXCELLENT NEWS!

Amy Nielson said...

I know I am very late in responding but Jonathan & Julie lived in the Portland area for several years and LOVED it! If I remember right they lived in a town called Aloha. Kevin also lived there for many, many years. Your son has probably already found a place to live but if not you could try talking to my mom about some details. She remembers these things better than I do. :)

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