I’ve spent time in several cities known for infamous crime and homelessness: Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Philly, New York. These cities had reputations that precede them. After spending years in those environments, I thought I’d seen the worst of it. Crime, drugs, homelessness, bad neighborhoods, unstable individuals. These places taught me how to identify and navigate them.I really didn’t get too surprised anymore when I saw some versions of these issues in my travels.
But somehow, the PNW caught me off guard. Maybe because I didn’t expect to see so many junkies. When I see beautiful places like Mount Rainier or Multnomah falls, I really didn’t expect such heavy drug abuse in so many areas. What’s insane to me is how many organizations and parties profit from this drug epidemic. This was a sight unseen for me in any city. I felt like I was in an episode of The Wire. Itwas unpresent, seeing how it spilled everywhere in my day-to-day. People randomly slumped over in the middle of the road, teenagers asking me for money at gas stations, hundreds and hundreds of tents seen on the side of various strips of the highway, and the range of crime happening on a daily. Seeing all of this felt heavier as time went by. I was also involved in some minor incidences.. Don’t get me wrong, I love the beautiful spaces and friendly people, they’re so great, but you can quickly go from the pleasantness of tech campuses, coffee shops, and mountain views to hostile tension areas within a few blocks.
My team talks a lot about why areas are so messed up, and a lot of people chalked it up to gender bias out here. I mean sure, I noticed something about the work ethic and attitude here but I don’t know if it has to do with the male dominated space. I find people in small townships outside of portland and seattle incredibly nice and friendly but the city centers and neighboring suburbs feels regressive.
After months of working and living here, I don’t think I’ll take another contract out here. Some environments sharpen you. Some environments dull you. For me, this one leans too far toward the latter.
Damn it. I should’ve stayed in East Asia.
Why I’m all for returning to office
November 1, 2024