Has anyone lived & ridden in both cities? Would appreciate any info on both cities, which you consider better, & why. I'm relocating this summer, and these two cities are at the top of my list.

I've been doing research on the net, so I'm really only interested in info from those who have substantial riding experience in both cities, to make an honest comparison.

Thanks

I went to portland this summer for a couple weeks specifically with the idea of moving there. I hated it. The rain, the cold weather even in JUNE, and the SEVERE overcrowding in the city in the summer. Sure, you can ride a bike lots of places, but don't even think about getting around by car.

Nice museums and voodoo donut rocks though! The scenery can't be beat.


Austin has the same funky vibe with much nicer weather and much chepaer to live there and own property. It's not as scenic though, to be sure.

I live in Fort Worth, and would move to Austin in a heartbeat if I didn't love my job here so much.

"I went to portland this summer for a couple weeks specifically with the idea of moving there. I hated it. The rain, the cold weather even in JUNE, and the SEVERE overcrowding in the city in the summer. Sure, you can ride a bike lots of places, but don't even think about getting around by car. "

I haven't been to Portland, but I've been to Austin several times. I never had the chance to ride while I was there. I like the climate, but the traffic there is BAD. Sounds like Portland traffic is just as bad. Doesn't Portland have plenty of bike trails to ride on so you don't have to ride to much with the traffic?

Go to Austin. The job market is tough but the city is amazing.

Seriously, Portland is a million times worse. To me, Austin's traffic is only bad outside of the actual city - in the burbs at rush hour. Downtown has never been a big deal - not compared to DFW anyway. Portland is crowded with extremely narrow, scary lanes.

Hey Smasher,
I'll give it a shot. I have lived in Austin and Portland. I started cycling about 2.5 years ago in Portland (SW area - Lake Oswego). I commuted and rode year around so I will start with the weather.
October to June (Nov-Feb the worst) expect to be spit on just about every day (I only got drenched a few times). Temps avg. 40-55 during the rain. It will swing much lower if you get some of the clouds clearing (but hey you get to see the sun... perhaps).
1. Bike with full fenders & extra extended flaps
2. Good light weight rain jacket with venting (undergarment and jersey)
3. Rain pants (optional) I have them and use them sometimes... Usually tights/knickers or leg warmers
4. Booties (as water resistant as possible)
5. Full fingered gloves that are water resistant
6. Good light (good one!!!) and blinkies (it is just dark... even during the daytime in late fall to spring) and you want to be seen.

While it can be crowded in Portland (urban growth boundries) for the most part has very aware vehicle drivers and lots of bike or MUP around. While the direct routes might be sketchy - a slight detour will most often give you a great ride to where you are heading. A lot of bike routes will have you in the countryside within 5-8 miles from just about anywhere in the city.

IMHO - Portland is VERY bike friendly and aware

The locals say never let the rain change your plans and they mean it. Riding in the rain is expected and if you want to ride get used to it. Everyone else does.

Once you hit March the weather starts to slowly shift to "slightly better" and you will get a couple of good days mixed in. July starts the "Golden Days", from July to Sept. Portland is awesome. Typical lows in the 50's and highs in the mid 70's with day after day of clear blue skies.

An average 30-35 miles ride will have 2000-2500 feet of climbing (per garmin edge) and you will have the ability to do extended climbs of 4000 + feet (bridge on Stark to top of Larch Mountain) which is really alot of fun and many more great climbs (what i think I will miss most)

Do cycle Oregon if you get a chance.. just goggle it ;-)
Ride with the guy's at Lakeside Bicycles in Lake Oswego (Good People!) Sat & Sun 9am or 9:15.. uhhh or9:20 lol sorry could not resist...

Ok... sorry too long... Now Austin... Keep in mind I have only returned recently and now as a cyclist. However, I have been actively comparing the two cities because I am interested how Austin will compare.

Weather, Austin will have more sunny days than you can shake a stick at and the majority of the winter will have big temp swings during the day. It can be freezing in the AM and 70 degrees that afternoon. Summer can get very hot..... You will need to ride in the early AM if your not into 90-100 degree riding.

In the last week I have put in about 130 miles and have to admit I was a bit surprised at the amount of climbing I have done. nothing substantial bit lots of rollers and more rollers... Austin is on the edge of the Hill Country so you will also get some shorter and steep climbs (but nothing extended like the Pacific NW).

So far I have seen less bike lanes in Austin than Portland and the vehicle awareness seems a little less tolerant (keep in mind the low mileage I have put in so far).

Austin does have many more roads with good shoulders that are great for riding on (2 abreast with ease).

Couple other things:
Portland: state income tax, bottle and can deposits, smaller state population (aprox - 3.7 million), more expensive for groceries etc., housing is expensive to buy.. (but I have a house for sale in Lake Oswego if you are interested lol). These things and the lack of sunlight pushed me over the edge and I left for Austin.


Sorry about dragging this out and I'm sure i missed a few things... but hell you asked...

I'll keep updating you with my experience here in Austin as I spend more time in the saddle if you are interested.

Dave

I've lived in both cities, Austin for four years in the mid-80's and Portland since 1987. I much prefer Portland. You can always layer up in a cool climate, but the summer heat and especially the humidity in Austin is unbearably uncomfortable to me. Everyone just goes from one air conditioned space to another from May to September. Portland has wonderful dry warm summers, and the total rainfall in both cities is comparable although the rainfall patterns are quite different. Oregon also has a lot more going for it in the way of public land recreation opportunities within easy driving distance, you need to go all the way to Colorado or New Mexico from Austin if you want to go for a hike, ride or skiing in the mountains, and the Pacific Coast beats the Gulf Coast hands down. Seattle and Vancouver BC are also an easy day's drive from Portland, and much nicer than Dallas, Houston or San Antonio. It used to be the music scene in Austin was the city's main selling point; it still exists but Portland has an outstanding music scene of its own, not to mention too many microbreweries to keep track of and an amazing number of world-class restaurants. Did I mention the bugs, rednecks, and dry counties in Texas?

btw, summer doesn't start in portland until after July 4.

I've lived in Fairbanks and Anchorage, AK and now I'm in Austin. This perspective is coming from someone who doesn't like to ride fast, doesn't have a driver's license, and is afraid of cars while bicycling (no, I haven't been harassed, they just scare me). In order I prefer: segregated trails (few/no intersections), sidewalks, then maybe roads, but only on the shoulder/bike lane.

Fairbanks is fairly small (~30K people) and while I preferred riding on sidewalks/trails, I didn't mind riding on the street when it was necessary. Once I even rode on the shoulder down the highway from Fairbanks to North Pole, (I think it's about ten miles) and felt quite comfortable. (There's one or two other highways, but I've never ridden on them, and can't remember them well enough to say if I'd be comfortable doing so.) During the summer, you see bicyclists out all the time, and even an occasional nut job/daring soul in the winter.

In Anchorage (~250K people) there are lots of good trails and I would comfortably ride my bike all over. In main roads without trails I would comfortably ride on the sidewalk. There are a lot of streets, such as in neighborhoods and low traffic alleyways that I'd feel comfortable riding in, but not the main roads and certainly not the highway. During the summer, you see bicyclists out all the time, and even an occasional nut job/daring soul in the winter.

In Austin (~750K people) I have not even attempted riding a bike. The traffic is horrendous. For example, they have a highway above a highway because they didn't have enough width to put in all the lanes they needed. Even in neighborhood-type areas I don't feel comfortable because of the fast, straight roads that cut through them. They don't have that quiet, relaxed feel to them, it's more like a main road with a few short offshoots for houses. The only bike trail I'm aware of is on Town Lake. I've hardly seen any bicycles here, and of those mostly they were downtown.

I was learning to drive in Anchorage, and was getting pretty comfortable driving down the highway, even. Here, I wouldn't even want to go on the main roads. Not that I have a car here, just saying (I use the bus).

Now they do have sidewalks and bike lanes in some places, and there might be patches here and there that aren't *as* bad to bike on, but overall it's so nasty and unpleasant it's just not worth it.

PS - anyone know of any Austin-specific bike/transportation forums? It'd be nice to talk to someone else from around here to see if anything can be done about it.

Dear City Smasher,

I have read every post in this thread and every person that said something is exactly right. By your name I am assured you won't be as timid as Lazy Girl. Perhaps you are the grit that always comes with a good day in the city.

I live in Austin now. I lived in Portland in 2005. I ride.

Your major determining factor really is weather. From May to September I carry a t-shirt in my bag with a towel. I go swimming everyday in different swimming spots around the city. I drink fresh squeezed juice, everyone is brown and naked, and most importantly riding bikes. We are all over the city. The drivers know that we are here, and as long as you don't hold up traffic they are generally courteous. Occasional flare ups do come up. I can only think of one other city that was as much fun to ride in.

Portland. Both cities are similar in design. They each have considerable traffic flow with easy side roads to commute on. You must keep your wits about you in both cities. That is what makes them cities. They each have progressive bike programs and the culture is really taking root.

Both Portland and Austin are pioneers for bike culture, and should be applauded.

You know I have a friend who plays in a band up in Seattle. He is from Austin, and although he is in Seattle know, living and singing in a dark jacket with the freeze in his toes, he will one day return to the warm and the sun.

9 months of the year it's beautiful here. The other three it's just hot. Go to the hardware store, buy a garden hose and a sprinkler head and enjoy the afternoon.

Russell

Oregon has much more to recommend it than Texas does.

And Austin is full. Too many people here already.

I have lived near Austin my whole life but I have never been to Portland. I live in a town just outside of Austin called Pflugerville and haven't been biking for very long. From what I know of Austin it might be scary to bike in the city because of traffic. I recommend taking a 10 min drive to Round Rock or one of the cities nearby and riding there. My mother rides on the roads in Pflugerville and Round Rock and she loves it. There are also lots of sidewalk trails that bikes ride on all the time and its a nice scenic ride. If you are doing more of a mountain bike thing like me then there are more places in Austin to ride, you just have to know where to look. The weather in Austin is very hot and humid in the summer so if you go there make sure you keep water with you.

Austin's dirty as hell and you can't walk a block without some bum asking you for money. Housing is expensive and traffic is a nightmare.

Great biking, tubing, and barbeque, but that's about it.

Thanks for all the info!

It sounds like both cities are crowded, I didn't realize Portland traffic was as congested as Austin traffic. As for the weather I think I prefer sunshine over rain, but I was under the impression that Portland has a massive network of mup's a cyclist could get around on, avoiding traffic.