christ, i miss portland horribly. i've been back in the bay area (born and raised) for more than six months, and it still doesn't feel like home the way portland did. i was going to rant about how nobody appreciates it enough up there, but it looks like you do. good on you for that.
p.s. i pay $960 for a <500sq.ft. studio, which i share with my girlfriend and our dog.