Decision Matrix

 Pros and Cons of Each, pluses and minuses, (a kind of cost:benefit analysis?)

I may want to wait until after there’s a vaccine

I’m in no hurry.  And property values may go down.

It’s not where you are, it’s what you do (could be true)

   Access to a gym and pool?

Gloomy weather is much nicer with a fireplace, hot cocoa/apple cider/tea, and friend(s)

Staying at a posh AirBnB, like a hotel, would of course be a pleasant experience, I think

I’m already pretty familiar with Portland (been there 3x)

Last time I read a lot (good reads!), got a library card, borrowed Pierre's bike, went to Reed, Powell's books, some recommended restaurants, and walked Banh Mi and Poutine.  I also went to a street faire with S+P+A, as well as a trip to the Portland zoo.

Pro Berkeley

Rent control, excellent rent ($750), weather, family, libraries (SF, Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda; Cal, GTU), close Kaiser, free dental (when free clinic is open), Wag!, my non-wag dogs (Junie, Kaleb, Snoopy + Shelby), dog sits (Duke, Rover, Junie), MSJ (mission san jose) volunteering, $5/mo wifi, utilities included, free yoga studio (yoga to the people), Indian rock, Tilden park, restaurants I enjoy, free food, a few friends.  (listed on Thanksgiving, with gratitude)

Con, Berkeley

Into a repetitive routine, homeless people, stress on bart, maybe earthquake

Pro Portland

SPAH, culture (“books, bikes, beer”), reed college / library, Nature, something new, a new life

Con, Portland

Less educated, 625 miles from family, unknown demand for dog walking, kp distance?

lol

Maybe I just need a break, variety, a change, a vacation, a girlfriend, mix things up a bit -

There's a license plate frame that says "nobody beats berkeley."   It IS pretty freaking nice.  But so is Portland!  I've always liked rain.  I've even taken exception to people, like weathermen, calling it "bad weather."  And the Nature in Portland is lush.  I have a dream I would lead nature hikes, with a familiarity with the fauna/flora, if not a mastery of botany and zoology.  History and emails and news, i.e reading, take up most of my time now, though.

I could do the same thing I do in Berkeley in Portland

Or I could do what I imagine doing in Portland in Berkeley!

There IS a difference between, say, NYC, and Montana, lol.

I'd like to think I'd be happy almost anywhere, honestly.

   

(ugh, I had a dream where I was trapped in a dryer - woke up, trying to get out)... so, hell could be anywhere, too (!)