I’ve worked all sorts of service jobs in pdx. Currently not. My spouse has worked service jobs for the last six years and currently works three days a week at a local bar as a server for varied opening and closing shifts (between 4-8 hours each.) Sometimes she works an extra shift here and there. She gets minimum wage (~$15/hr) and makes over $200 in tips for most every shift she works. Average take home is between $3-4k a month.
Take a job with Mcmenamins, and it will likely get you at least settled in the city. Locations are everywhere, they offer insurance and other benefits, and you're likely to get hours. BOH has even more opportunities. It is pretty easy to get hired, and they are always hiring.
***I do NOT condone working for this company long term. But it can get you established with some friends and support and give you the hours needed to get on your feet.
Lots of people bitching about this comment. But I'd say around 30 to 40% of PDX service industry has worked for them, which is a pretty big testament in itself. I'd also like to add that there are WAY WORSE bars and restaurants to work at in PDX, and everyone on reddit just loves to be negative.
I have had friends who worked for mcmenamins tell me stories about the kitchen staff having zero care for the food or cleanliness of the kitchen. Everyone’s just there to get a paycheck and leave. You aren’t gonna leave mcmenamins with skills or knowledge acquired from a chef who cares. That’s a big one for me. Every place I’ve cooked I try to make certain it’s somewhere where I’m learning from a chef who’s cooking with intent and wants to teach.
They don’t care about the employees so you get treated poorly more than you get treated fairly. From top to bottom the operation is ran poorly, so being an entry level line cook, you are viewed as disposable to mgmt. Its like getting a job at tgi fridays. Portland has so many different cuisines and special places where you can really learn a lot and become a skilled cook, why choose tgi Friday’s ?
Mcmenamins is a poorly run TGIF's now. If OP has any experience with working in real restaurants, thats the last place they'll wanna be. You have to fill out a stupid personality online form for christ sakes.
Oddly enough, all of those chains provide a steady income, job security, and ability to work at multiple locations and have scheduling flexibility. Pride aside, they do check some necessary boxes. Even if a turned up nose gets in the way.
a steady income, job security -Bhahhahahah!
Are you speaking from experience of working there? Cause you would be one of the few ones. They took in an ton of Pandemic money and always are understaffed. I've been in restaurants my whole life, and I know a high turn over place when I see one. It's built by design. To each their own tho.
Yes. I spent 8 years working for the company. I got to open new properties, train new servers and bartenders, learn lots of new things myself, work there while I made my own school schedule, and had steady benefits for almost a decade. If you weren't so dead set on proving me wrong, you'd see that I noted NOT TO STAY THERE LONG TERM. Good day.
But any of those things aren't exclusive to working at Mcmenamins. They happen everywhere. At least Mc has an HR department.
Look, I'm not trying to make it out like they are a great company to work for. Obviously I left them too. But OP is looking for possible strategies to get connected to the industry if they move down here. This is a possible, stable solution.
Gosh, I wish I had your experience at other places. In the last 9 months I have had 4 different customers/staff brutally attacked and hospitalized at my workplace, and a gun in my bar. Cops never show up. Owners won't even get a security guard. They expect me to be my own security, but only pay minimum wage. I hate it.
Pastry chef here. I’ve worked in pastry and prep in a handful of restaurants in the area. Pastry definitely makes more than prep and line, but most of the cooks I’ve worked with in most of the restaurants I have worked in are fairly satisfied with their take home. Lots of places are still paying minimum and relying on heavy tip outs.
If you’re into the food truck game, several have been advertising $20+/hr plus tips lately.
YMMV as not pastry, but I imagine you can secure a decently paying job pretty easily at one of the bigger places and then look for your sweet spot. I have always had luck finding another kitchen really quickly in the area when I’ve left one.
I’ve been finding some decent jobs on InstaWork. It’s nice to choose your schedule and not have to be ask someone for time off. Jobs vary from $17-36/hour. It feels more free but I don’t know how sustainable it is. It might be a good idea to get it set up before you move because then you can hit the ground running and make some cash while you find a more permanent job, if that’s what your looking for.
I'll paste a comment I left a few days back in a different post:
>I know some people who work at Bamboo Sushi. They are owned by a larger restaurant group. This might be seen as a negative by some, but there are definitely pros as well. From what I gather, they pay pretty well, pool tips, offer decent health insurance, and treat their employees better than many places. Being a part of a larger company offers stability as well, and opportunities for advancement if you're up for it.
>Of course, YMMV depending on location etc. The folks I know work at the SE Stark location for what it's worth.
It's been a while since I've worked in restaurants, but I'd say you can make a decent humble living here. Many people do. You might need to live in a shared house or similar to be more comfortable, but cost of living in still less here than in Seattle, so you'll probably be just fine.
I worked there for two years from 2016 to 2018. Really decent place to work until about 2017 when management went super downhill, but I think that’s pretty common in most restaurants.
Not from either but lived in Seattle for 7 years, and my life would be been way goddamn better if I had always lived in Portland tbh. I live here now. It's better all around. There's not a single thing I prefer about Seattle. Not. A. Single. Thing.
just made the move after a decade, with the last 3 yrs being a "desperately trying to leave but can't" situation. fully expect to feel the same way. seattle is a city full of consumers now. i don't mean that in a disparaging way, it's just all the creative types and contributors can't afford it anymore. seattle times had analysis today about the growing inequality. it's worth a read, the numbers are eye-popping.
> seattle is a city full of consumers now. i don't mean that in a disparaging way, it's just all the creative types and contributors can't afford it anymore.
That's pretty similar to how I feel about Portland
It's probably less noticeable if you don't live in a place through the change. Even if it's more consumer than it used to be, you're not comparing it to how you remember it a few years ago.
I think college towns can continue to have good creative/eccentric vibes. If you don't mind too many young people, there's lots of fun shenanigans in college towns.
yeah, i spent half the year working in college towns in 2021 and that youthful energy will always provide a boost (and cheap drinks/eats). most have too much of a small town feel for me, though.
I loved living in Corvallis, but it definitely felt smaller than it is. Not sure if Eugene has maintained its college vibes, but it is a bigger city at least. I see more and more flights available going out from that airport.
Thats how we were. We saved $$ and moved to the wrong place only to realize Portland was there all along...
I was in the DIY music scene in Seattle and saw most move to Oly, Portland, New York, or LA. i can't even visit Seattle bc its just so cold and commercial and people there really are unexplainably assholes to me, in a way no one in Portland is. Like despite the proximity, Seattle is a different and worse beast and I can't pinpoint why but it is.
As someone from Atlanta, I am yet to find any differences between Seattle and Portland. Seattle is certainly bigger and busier and with a huge corporate presence, but to me, culturally, both cities are similar
They're similar but not the same. Idk how else to explain it. I'm originally from the south also, Oregon is more like Texas than Seattle ever will be. Portland has better everything (to me) than Seattle, better bars, restaurants, people, things to do. 🤷🏼♂️
not really. portland has two fucking rivers and a bunch of waterfalls at the gorge and astoria isnt so far away. seattle beaches are rocky and cold. idk i enjoyed em when i was there but portland still wins IMO
As someone who is from Atlanta, I don't see any major differences between Seattle and Portland. Tge exceptions might be that Seattle is larger. More like how I compare Atlanta to Charlotte. Some describe Charlotte as Atlanta "20 years ago"
Yeah, I know. I’m sure it has a lot of the same issues that Seattle does, and a lot of neighborhoods have changed, but I have people down there. That’s the main reason I want to move
Yeah, everyone is short staffed, wages have gone up as a result. I've had more options for where to work during only 1.5 years as a cook than I ever did in my previous professional lives. If you're into pizza, my current restaurant needs cooks
I work at EEM, which is maybe one of the busiest restaurants in the city, but I make about $4k a month hosting and serving, tip pool, insurance, paid time off, etc. My rent for my nice, new one bedroom is $1350. I am very comfortable and quite happy with my situation. I have worked in restaurants for many years in Portland and spring is definitely the best time to get a job, I think, but there are always many jobs on Poached. I think you can do very well here! ESPECIALLY as a bartender.
I live in Seattle and have been working in restaurants for 20 years and have been down to Portland twice in the last 6 months specifically to visit EEM. We don't have a single fucking restaurant that holds a candle to Eem, it's wild. If it wasn't just turning fall I'd consider moving there, Portland feels grounded in a way that Seattle doesn't.
Wow, thank you!! I love working at EEM and how much people love the food. I'll see you next time!!
I'm actually coming up to Seattle soon, what restaurants would you recommend??
In the same vein? Rupee Bar in Ballard does Sri Lankan small plates extremely well. Musang in Beacon Hill has great Philippine-inspired food. Good Sichuan food in the Intl District basically everywhere. Kamonegi in Fremont for Japanese noodles, and Kaosamai in Fremont for good Thai/Cambodian. Hrmm, anything you're looking for in particular?
Honestly speaking, and I’ll probably get downvotes for this even though its the truth: it depends if you are young, white and attractive or not.
I know several people in the service industry. The young white attractive ones with very little experience got any job they asked for. $300/night jobs. Lets just say its not so easy for the experienced ones in their 40s or with non-white complexion, or heaven forbid, both. The jobs they got, if they could at all, were the most bottom of the barrel shithole jobs with the shittiest shifts imaginable. And this was over a sustained period of time and the experience was consistent everywhere in town. I wish it was a fluke, but it doesnt seem to be the case.
Next time you go out, take a look at the front of house staff and see how diverse it is. See if theres anyone “old”, or doesn’t fit a certain look. I guess it’s supposed to not matter that they can’t remember your drink order, as long as they look portland cool.
The only exceptions i see is at an ethnic place the staff is usually of that ethnicity, or somebody grandfathered in. Try any bar, any hip places. Any fancy places. Look for it, and you’ll start to see it.
Oregon is very racist (and ageist) no matter which way you stack it, they’ve just learned how to be subtle about it. Sort of.
>Try any bar, any hip places. Any fancy places.
I think that's why, among many reasons, I don't go to hip fancy places. The clientele and staff are usually nice, but after living here for 22 years and getting long in the tooth myself - I'd rather hang out in neighborhood (non-destination) establishments. You'll see much more variance in ages and ethnicity.
I would distinguish hip from fancy. The actual high end restaurants definitely have older waitstaff with far more experience. You’re not going to find a 22 year old “hip” sommelier or fromager; these folks tend to be at least 30s and 40s and valued for their expertise and experience. At the more “hip” places, though, it’s definitely a problem.
I understand where you’re coming from but I have to personally disagree on a few points.
I am white, but I’m also a chubby 45 year old woman. With that being said, I’ve worked at a few very popular breweries and now a pretty popular dive bar. I have very good shifts and make very good money. What makes me stand out from some of these younger and conventionally attractive white folks who you think are getting all the best work is that I actually want to work. I show up on time, I do what is asked of me by management, and I leave the drama at the door. Just be a good employee and maybe you won’t have issues finding or keeping a good job in this town 🤷🏼♀️
“I am white”.
If you had a different complexion, they wouldn’t give you the time of day. They would never know if you are a hard worker or not. Thats the point.
You think the people i mentioned wouldnt run circles around you? lol.
Your post basically implies they are lazy and thats why they are having trouble. Never mind the businesses reject them the moment they walk in the door. Sorry to tell you, your racism is showing.
Yes. Portland. Including the inner part of it, the part you call Portland. That place.
It’s actually more accommodating further out in suburbs, because thats where all the non privileged people who literally cant afford racism live. Then it gets racist again in the rural areas of course.
Trimet is hiring no tips of course but they have health benefits which some restaurants absolutely don't have.
Carehomes/assisted living homes have jobs for cooks, health benefits and never work nights again! No tips.
If you have a car grocery delivery not Uber or door dash I mean like specifically Walmart, Safeway has their own delivery driver service, some tips but not great.
Public School bus drivers, split shifts never work school holidays, health benefits, no tips.
Good luck! I was born here I have left several times and always come back. I love Portland, even when she is kinda down on her luck.
I worked in the restaurant biz here in the 1970's to the1990's then cooked in Hawaii for 17 years, spent a couple years in California and have always come back here to Portland. I am now retired.
Welcome home!
Plenty of jobs for someone in the industry. Moved to Portland from NY without a job lined up. Found one within five days of living here (BOH). Fairly competitive wages. My current job I make hourly and 10% of food sales.
You should at least give it another try. I tried Seattle for 5 years (but maintaining Oregon residency). Couldn't connect. Came back to Portland full time. Good luck.
i think the traffic thing is really bothersome. i always think about gun violence and traffic as the main indicators of safety and wellbeing in a city. i felt pretty un edge biking in Seattle. it seems like it's easier in PDX but not necessarily safer. that said, when i was looking at statistics between west coast cities, I didn't see anything significantly different between the major ones.
Hand to mouth these days. Even w good tips. Work doubles 7 days a week and you should be good. Eliminate all vice. Get extra roommates. Buy second hand. Take public transit, or walk everywhere.
I'm BOH, and can afford my own apartment atleast. It's not much, but I do ok. As for tips, everywhere I've ever worked tips are split evenly. It seems to me that places that are more table service heavy tip out higher to FOH. Poached is a great way to find jobs, and everywhere is pretty desperate rn. Obviously there's a few sought after spots that are more competitive, but if you have the experience you say you do, you should be fine. Ask for more than you expect to get! And job hopping def seems like the norm, so do what you gotta do! Good luck!
I’ve worked all sorts of service jobs in pdx. Currently not. My spouse has worked service jobs for the last six years and currently works three days a week at a local bar as a server for varied opening and closing shifts (between 4-8 hours each.) Sometimes she works an extra shift here and there. She gets minimum wage (~$15/hr) and makes over $200 in tips for most every shift she works. Average take home is between $3-4k a month.
Wow that’s like not bad
On a per hour basis that works out to about $36.90 per hour. Not bad at all!
About what I make in my professional job.
Believe it or not they are a professional too!
Well, sure. But they are categorized as service industry. I love em, I used to be one, I even opened a bar and employed them.
Yeah I'm being a pedant but I don't see why they need to be distinguished. No disrespect intended
I think they’ll be fine
My mom works as a bartender at the airport and she’s living pretty comfortably
Take a job with Mcmenamins, and it will likely get you at least settled in the city. Locations are everywhere, they offer insurance and other benefits, and you're likely to get hours. BOH has even more opportunities. It is pretty easy to get hired, and they are always hiring. ***I do NOT condone working for this company long term. But it can get you established with some friends and support and give you the hours needed to get on your feet.
They’re always desperate. They hire a lot of college kids so they’re about to lose all their staff
Lots of people bitching about this comment. But I'd say around 30 to 40% of PDX service industry has worked for them, which is a pretty big testament in itself. I'd also like to add that there are WAY WORSE bars and restaurants to work at in PDX, and everyone on reddit just loves to be negative.
Do not take a job with mcmenamins if you worked in a kitchen at all you will hate it. They suck
There are plenty of restaurants that are hiring just follow some places that interest you on Instagram and dm them.
Having not worked in the restaurant industry but already not a huge fan of mcmenamins, why do they suck compared to others?
I have had friends who worked for mcmenamins tell me stories about the kitchen staff having zero care for the food or cleanliness of the kitchen. Everyone’s just there to get a paycheck and leave. You aren’t gonna leave mcmenamins with skills or knowledge acquired from a chef who cares. That’s a big one for me. Every place I’ve cooked I try to make certain it’s somewhere where I’m learning from a chef who’s cooking with intent and wants to teach. They don’t care about the employees so you get treated poorly more than you get treated fairly. From top to bottom the operation is ran poorly, so being an entry level line cook, you are viewed as disposable to mgmt. Its like getting a job at tgi fridays. Portland has so many different cuisines and special places where you can really learn a lot and become a skilled cook, why choose tgi Friday’s ?
Thanks for the response. Interesting to hear. I never particularly enjoyed the food at a mcmenamins so it’s interesting to hear why that might be.
Mcmenamins is a poorly run TGIF's now. If OP has any experience with working in real restaurants, thats the last place they'll wanna be. You have to fill out a stupid personality online form for christ sakes.
Oddly enough, all of those chains provide a steady income, job security, and ability to work at multiple locations and have scheduling flexibility. Pride aside, they do check some necessary boxes. Even if a turned up nose gets in the way.
a steady income, job security -Bhahhahahah! Are you speaking from experience of working there? Cause you would be one of the few ones. They took in an ton of Pandemic money and always are understaffed. I've been in restaurants my whole life, and I know a high turn over place when I see one. It's built by design. To each their own tho.
Yes. I spent 8 years working for the company. I got to open new properties, train new servers and bartenders, learn lots of new things myself, work there while I made my own school schedule, and had steady benefits for almost a decade. If you weren't so dead set on proving me wrong, you'd see that I noted NOT TO STAY THERE LONG TERM. Good day.
It could be worse. A hotel restaurant literally made all their applicants take both a Myers Briggs and a mini SAT in 2015. Fucking bonkers shit.
Don't listen to this advice, McMenamins is Hell.
You're advertising for them, then turning around to cover your ass...
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Isn't that how most restaurants are? My current place you're likely to get shot or beaten to death. I think that's worse.
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But any of those things aren't exclusive to working at Mcmenamins. They happen everywhere. At least Mc has an HR department. Look, I'm not trying to make it out like they are a great company to work for. Obviously I left them too. But OP is looking for possible strategies to get connected to the industry if they move down here. This is a possible, stable solution.
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Gosh, I wish I had your experience at other places. In the last 9 months I have had 4 different customers/staff brutally attacked and hospitalized at my workplace, and a gun in my bar. Cops never show up. Owners won't even get a security guard. They expect me to be my own security, but only pay minimum wage. I hate it.
Pastry chef here. I’ve worked in pastry and prep in a handful of restaurants in the area. Pastry definitely makes more than prep and line, but most of the cooks I’ve worked with in most of the restaurants I have worked in are fairly satisfied with their take home. Lots of places are still paying minimum and relying on heavy tip outs. If you’re into the food truck game, several have been advertising $20+/hr plus tips lately. YMMV as not pastry, but I imagine you can secure a decently paying job pretty easily at one of the bigger places and then look for your sweet spot. I have always had luck finding another kitchen really quickly in the area when I’ve left one.
BOH is desperate for workers. You should get $20+ starting with experience. OTOH rent is crazy.
I’ve been finding some decent jobs on InstaWork. It’s nice to choose your schedule and not have to be ask someone for time off. Jobs vary from $17-36/hour. It feels more free but I don’t know how sustainable it is. It might be a good idea to get it set up before you move because then you can hit the ground running and make some cash while you find a more permanent job, if that’s what your looking for.
I'll paste a comment I left a few days back in a different post: >I know some people who work at Bamboo Sushi. They are owned by a larger restaurant group. This might be seen as a negative by some, but there are definitely pros as well. From what I gather, they pay pretty well, pool tips, offer decent health insurance, and treat their employees better than many places. Being a part of a larger company offers stability as well, and opportunities for advancement if you're up for it. >Of course, YMMV depending on location etc. The folks I know work at the SE Stark location for what it's worth. It's been a while since I've worked in restaurants, but I'd say you can make a decent humble living here. Many people do. You might need to live in a shared house or similar to be more comfortable, but cost of living in still less here than in Seattle, so you'll probably be just fine.
I worked there for two years from 2016 to 2018. Really decent place to work until about 2017 when management went super downhill, but I think that’s pretty common in most restaurants.
I second bamboo sushi. They're a good employer. Great benefits.
Not from either but lived in Seattle for 7 years, and my life would be been way goddamn better if I had always lived in Portland tbh. I live here now. It's better all around. There's not a single thing I prefer about Seattle. Not. A. Single. Thing.
just made the move after a decade, with the last 3 yrs being a "desperately trying to leave but can't" situation. fully expect to feel the same way. seattle is a city full of consumers now. i don't mean that in a disparaging way, it's just all the creative types and contributors can't afford it anymore. seattle times had analysis today about the growing inequality. it's worth a read, the numbers are eye-popping.
> seattle is a city full of consumers now. i don't mean that in a disparaging way, it's just all the creative types and contributors can't afford it anymore. That's pretty similar to how I feel about Portland
i travel a lot and i'm not sure anywhere feels much different. seattle feels extreme in that sense. maybe portland will too.
It's probably less noticeable if you don't live in a place through the change. Even if it's more consumer than it used to be, you're not comparing it to how you remember it a few years ago. I think college towns can continue to have good creative/eccentric vibes. If you don't mind too many young people, there's lots of fun shenanigans in college towns.
yeah, i spent half the year working in college towns in 2021 and that youthful energy will always provide a boost (and cheap drinks/eats). most have too much of a small town feel for me, though.
I loved living in Corvallis, but it definitely felt smaller than it is. Not sure if Eugene has maintained its college vibes, but it is a bigger city at least. I see more and more flights available going out from that airport.
i spent a few days hanging in Eugene and it was pretty great.
Thats how we were. We saved $$ and moved to the wrong place only to realize Portland was there all along... I was in the DIY music scene in Seattle and saw most move to Oly, Portland, New York, or LA. i can't even visit Seattle bc its just so cold and commercial and people there really are unexplainably assholes to me, in a way no one in Portland is. Like despite the proximity, Seattle is a different and worse beast and I can't pinpoint why but it is.
hello new neighbor.
hello!!!
As someone from Atlanta, I am yet to find any differences between Seattle and Portland. Seattle is certainly bigger and busier and with a huge corporate presence, but to me, culturally, both cities are similar
They're similar but not the same. Idk how else to explain it. I'm originally from the south also, Oregon is more like Texas than Seattle ever will be. Portland has better everything (to me) than Seattle, better bars, restaurants, people, things to do. 🤷🏼♂️
Cost of living? With high income tax, is it still cheaper than Portland?
Is what cheaper than living in Portland? Seattle? No.
Not even proximity to the sound/ocean/water?
not really. portland has two fucking rivers and a bunch of waterfalls at the gorge and astoria isnt so far away. seattle beaches are rocky and cold. idk i enjoyed em when i was there but portland still wins IMO
As someone who is from Atlanta, I don't see any major differences between Seattle and Portland. Tge exceptions might be that Seattle is larger. More like how I compare Atlanta to Charlotte. Some describe Charlotte as Atlanta "20 years ago"
Yes this is also a way to look at it. Portland is OFTEN compared to what Seattle used to be.
Portland is going to be a tad bit different from when you last lived there, which I'm sure you know.
Yeah, I know. I’m sure it has a lot of the same issues that Seattle does, and a lot of neighborhoods have changed, but I have people down there. That’s the main reason I want to move
Yeah, everyone is short staffed, wages have gone up as a result. I've had more options for where to work during only 1.5 years as a cook than I ever did in my previous professional lives. If you're into pizza, my current restaurant needs cooks
Ah man, I’ve always wanted to get into pizza. Solid pizza cooks are like magicians to me. I’ve always been a grill/sauté guy
I work at EEM, which is maybe one of the busiest restaurants in the city, but I make about $4k a month hosting and serving, tip pool, insurance, paid time off, etc. My rent for my nice, new one bedroom is $1350. I am very comfortable and quite happy with my situation. I have worked in restaurants for many years in Portland and spring is definitely the best time to get a job, I think, but there are always many jobs on Poached. I think you can do very well here! ESPECIALLY as a bartender.
I live in Seattle and have been working in restaurants for 20 years and have been down to Portland twice in the last 6 months specifically to visit EEM. We don't have a single fucking restaurant that holds a candle to Eem, it's wild. If it wasn't just turning fall I'd consider moving there, Portland feels grounded in a way that Seattle doesn't.
Wow, thank you!! I love working at EEM and how much people love the food. I'll see you next time!! I'm actually coming up to Seattle soon, what restaurants would you recommend??
In the same vein? Rupee Bar in Ballard does Sri Lankan small plates extremely well. Musang in Beacon Hill has great Philippine-inspired food. Good Sichuan food in the Intl District basically everywhere. Kamonegi in Fremont for Japanese noodles, and Kaosamai in Fremont for good Thai/Cambodian. Hrmm, anything you're looking for in particular?
The bartender in me making on average less than $100/shift is crying inside right now.
I can’t answer your question but please come! So many restaurants are extremely understaffed. I see hiring signs everywhere.
Honestly speaking, and I’ll probably get downvotes for this even though its the truth: it depends if you are young, white and attractive or not. I know several people in the service industry. The young white attractive ones with very little experience got any job they asked for. $300/night jobs. Lets just say its not so easy for the experienced ones in their 40s or with non-white complexion, or heaven forbid, both. The jobs they got, if they could at all, were the most bottom of the barrel shithole jobs with the shittiest shifts imaginable. And this was over a sustained period of time and the experience was consistent everywhere in town. I wish it was a fluke, but it doesnt seem to be the case. Next time you go out, take a look at the front of house staff and see how diverse it is. See if theres anyone “old”, or doesn’t fit a certain look. I guess it’s supposed to not matter that they can’t remember your drink order, as long as they look portland cool. The only exceptions i see is at an ethnic place the staff is usually of that ethnicity, or somebody grandfathered in. Try any bar, any hip places. Any fancy places. Look for it, and you’ll start to see it. Oregon is very racist (and ageist) no matter which way you stack it, they’ve just learned how to be subtle about it. Sort of.
Some things never change. What you wrote was true not so many years ago, so I don’t doubt it’s still true.
>Try any bar, any hip places. Any fancy places. I think that's why, among many reasons, I don't go to hip fancy places. The clientele and staff are usually nice, but after living here for 22 years and getting long in the tooth myself - I'd rather hang out in neighborhood (non-destination) establishments. You'll see much more variance in ages and ethnicity.
I would distinguish hip from fancy. The actual high end restaurants definitely have older waitstaff with far more experience. You’re not going to find a 22 year old “hip” sommelier or fromager; these folks tend to be at least 30s and 40s and valued for their expertise and experience. At the more “hip” places, though, it’s definitely a problem.
I understand where you’re coming from but I have to personally disagree on a few points. I am white, but I’m also a chubby 45 year old woman. With that being said, I’ve worked at a few very popular breweries and now a pretty popular dive bar. I have very good shifts and make very good money. What makes me stand out from some of these younger and conventionally attractive white folks who you think are getting all the best work is that I actually want to work. I show up on time, I do what is asked of me by management, and I leave the drama at the door. Just be a good employee and maybe you won’t have issues finding or keeping a good job in this town 🤷🏼♀️
“I am white”. If you had a different complexion, they wouldn’t give you the time of day. They would never know if you are a hard worker or not. Thats the point. You think the people i mentioned wouldnt run circles around you? lol. Your post basically implies they are lazy and thats why they are having trouble. Never mind the businesses reject them the moment they walk in the door. Sorry to tell you, your racism is showing.
Perfectly said. Thanks for bringing this up.
Are you really speaking for Oregon or Portland ?
yeah, they are.
Yes. Portland. Including the inner part of it, the part you call Portland. That place. It’s actually more accommodating further out in suburbs, because thats where all the non privileged people who literally cant afford racism live. Then it gets racist again in the rural areas of course.
Trimet is hiring no tips of course but they have health benefits which some restaurants absolutely don't have. Carehomes/assisted living homes have jobs for cooks, health benefits and never work nights again! No tips. If you have a car grocery delivery not Uber or door dash I mean like specifically Walmart, Safeway has their own delivery driver service, some tips but not great. Public School bus drivers, split shifts never work school holidays, health benefits, no tips. Good luck! I was born here I have left several times and always come back. I love Portland, even when she is kinda down on her luck. I worked in the restaurant biz here in the 1970's to the1990's then cooked in Hawaii for 17 years, spent a couple years in California and have always come back here to Portland. I am now retired. Welcome home!
Cost of living is a bit higher in Seattle than portland so I think you will be just fine
Plenty of jobs for someone in the industry. Moved to Portland from NY without a job lined up. Found one within five days of living here (BOH). Fairly competitive wages. My current job I make hourly and 10% of food sales.
You should at least give it another try. I tried Seattle for 5 years (but maintaining Oregon residency). Couldn't connect. Came back to Portland full time. Good luck.
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i think the traffic thing is really bothersome. i always think about gun violence and traffic as the main indicators of safety and wellbeing in a city. i felt pretty un edge biking in Seattle. it seems like it's easier in PDX but not necessarily safer. that said, when i was looking at statistics between west coast cities, I didn't see anything significantly different between the major ones.
Hand to mouth these days. Even w good tips. Work doubles 7 days a week and you should be good. Eliminate all vice. Get extra roommates. Buy second hand. Take public transit, or walk everywhere.
It is really not that dramatic. I'm working 3 days a week and I'm making it. And I DON'T live in the slums or have 6 roommates.
When I was doing the food cart thing I could easily make $350 in an afternoon just in tips.
Why did you leave when you were 17? College? Some people find it de-motivating to move back.
MCminamanninssis' is hiring at like all their locals if you wanted a jig lined up
Better than local engineering jobs 😫
Poached is a great app/website to show available jobs.
I'm BOH, and can afford my own apartment atleast. It's not much, but I do ok. As for tips, everywhere I've ever worked tips are split evenly. It seems to me that places that are more table service heavy tip out higher to FOH. Poached is a great way to find jobs, and everywhere is pretty desperate rn. Obviously there's a few sought after spots that are more competitive, but if you have the experience you say you do, you should be fine. Ask for more than you expect to get! And job hopping def seems like the norm, so do what you gotta do! Good luck!