SoutheastPDX's Profile

I was fascinated reading everyone's response to this conundrum!

Personally, I'd say this:

-Murder is more atrocious than [natural, accidental] death. There most definitely needs to be some purification going on there: I'm a sage person, myself.

Overall, I agree with raven, when they wrote, "I have lived in an apartment that was part of an old funeral home and an apartment that was previously rented by a murderer. Both were great places to live, but they did have to go through therapy first! Are you willing to put in the work? And, do you believe that your actions can make a difference?"

Obviously, if you believe that your actions can make a difference in changing the energy/feel of a place, then I say go for it. How many events aligned to bring you to this dwelling? ;) If you love it, go for it!

How can you deny something described to have, "suction velocity of a category 2 hurricane"?

The duvet cover is awesome, but should I be ashamed to say I think the pillowcases are the best part of the whole bed? :)

Rubytubs-- I happen to really like the chandelier in this photo because I think it's fun. :)

BrittanyKate-- your room is dramatically improved, imho. You should be really excited! Congrats on a great jumpstart!

P.S. Can't go wrong with the Sunset book! It's the best.

Have you heard of "You Grow, Girl"? it has super ideas for the urban/first-time gardener. ;)

I love the light fixture above the tub (CHECK IT OUT! *drool*), the blue and white room (because that bedspread is so unexpected), and the use of orange (is that orange?) in the first pic. Usually I dig the b/w and red color scheme but that photo just ain't doin it for me. Maybe if that plant got a little more love in the frame? ;)

Cheers!

I have a feeling that if I walked into your home, I'd Oooh and Aaaah for 20 minutes. Buddha and Warhol is all it really takes! :) That said, do you get any natural lighting? (Above the bed, it seems?)

Good luck with the rest of the cure!

E,

It's funny you mention the bathroom debacle. I lived in Uni Housing for almost 2 years (and indeed they are apartments, not dorms) here in PDX with a bath only. (If your friend is curious, I lived in Parkway, on SW Park & Market.)

There are options, but they're silly *and* against the rules. I'm not one for rule following, but... Those plastic tube showerheads? Don't really seem to go far, in my experience and in those charming (and old) buildings, most who have tried to use them end up causing serious water damage to already-thin walls. And then when you call to get that fixed, you get smacked with a huge fee. ;)

My best suggestion is to make bath time as lovely as possible. Think about water consumption, and bathe every two days (or just shower at the gym after your workout). I had a basketball hoop with a bath-approved foam ball in the tub, a stereo nearby, a shower curtain i loved, and twinkle lights... Oh, and designate some kind of cup the bath cup for pouring water down the backs of clean-shaven legs and the like.

After a short period of time, you get used to baths. ;)

Portland, Portland!

Restaurants worth a try, $10-20/person:
The Farm on East Burnside. All local, seasonal, organic. Located in an old house, good for a small group of 2-4, chic ambience.

The Screen Door. Great southern food with even better drinks in a candlelit Arts and Crafts style restaurant. Get some Fried Green Tomatos as an appetizer and then go for the Georgia Griddle Cakes topped with mixed vegetables tossed in an herb vinagrette.

Henry's Bar and Tavern, West Burnside. Located on the edge of the swanky Pearl District, great for the beer lover and foodie alike. Fun happy hour, sit outside on the patio to have an ivy-covered brick wall behind you adorned with twinkle lights.

Tin Shed on NE Alberta. Alberta Street is home to a monthly open-gallery-local-color event and it has restaurants to match. Breakfast is great, and all dishes can be made Veggie or Vegan, if that's your thing. Servers are quintessential Portlanders and the self-serve coffee station means you can sip while you wait for a table. Their dinner service is also delish.

Simpatica Dining Hall. SE Ash. The new and communal Simpatica is run by a couple guys with high-end butcher experience so the meat here is all-organic and amazing. Brunch is fantastic but there's usually a wait. Check them out at simpaticacatering.com

Aqui. SE Madison. Mexican food with a twist. The owner, Angie, is a delight and her decor of rustic Mexican art matched with mood lighting is a hit. Don't miss the jalapeno corn muffins as an appetizer because they will blow your mind.

Other delicious options:
Park Ave Cafe. SW Park and SW Market. Grab a bagel sandwich at this little cafe adjacent to the University. $4.95 gets you a bagel with cream cheese, lox, tomato, and onion. Or, go for my girlfriend's favorite: the classic sausage, egg, and cheese. Take it to go and wander down the Park Blocks to the Art Museum.

Rose's deli. NW 23rd Avenue. American food as simple and no-frills as it gets. Stop by the dessert displays on your way in and be sure to save room.

Rimsky Koraskoffee House. SE 12th Avenue. This coffee shop is filled with kitsch. Journals written in by travelers, regulars and servers alike line the entry way. Conversation starters hang from the ceiling and table tops are themed under glass tops. The desserts (a homemade waffle with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, drizzled with a homemade raspberry sauce and marionberries) are to-die-for. I think they take cash or checks only, FYI.

Hope these help! <3

-kate.

P.S. And Anne-- Portland has fantastic public transport on fairly clean and reliable trains. Our city blocks are modeled after European cities so they are shorter and the whole downtown area is especially walkable. Good thing, too, because you don't want to miss all the street art installations or parks! Traveling alone at night is okay where ever you go- especially compared to NYC (I've spent some time on LI). The only potentially uncomfortable issue you might have is with high numbers of homeless people but by nightfall these folks usually gather near shelters on lower W Burnside. Plus, most of our homeless are very respectful and non-threatening. Portland (PDX) is also consistently rated as one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the US, with miles and miles of bike lanes so we're very used to pedestrians. AND, unlike NY, here it is customary for cars to wait for pedestrians to cross the road. Still, keep your head up, but prepare for the culture shock as drivers yield to those on foot.
;)