re: Would you move to Portland from PHX

Whether you move depends on what you want. I have lived all over the country and am glad I did.

Some people want stability and avoid change.

Others get bored and seek change.

Even though I had never been there before, I packed up everything I owned and moved to Phoenix.

I could take short trips to Los Angeles, San Diego, Tucson, Sedona, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. It is much cheaper this way than paying for plane tickets and hotel rooms and car rental while paying rent/mortgage and a car note in Atlanta.

Each part of the country has it's own good points and bad points. I can't tell you Portland is better than Phoenix because what I like may not appeal to you.

I enjoyed my time in Phoenix but it was so hot so much of the year!

On the other hand, I hated the 36 inches of snow in Minneapolis/St Paul!
It snowed so much that the MetroDome collapsed!