I’ll Keep It Short

March 17, 2008

by IsaChandra

About the big news I mentioned last week. I’m moving to Portland, OR. It was somewhere between a spur of the moment and a many years in the making decision. The short story is that I simply can’t afford to do the things I want to do in Brooklyn. It will always be my home but it’s become quite unlivable for me. It became a constant struggle, not just to make ends meet but also to reconcile the Brooklyn that I grew up in with this new Brooklyn; she of the bizarre glass buildings, 2500 dollar studios and 300 dollar haircuts. And god help me, I was not about to move back to Sheepshead Bay!

Besides which, Portland is beautiful, vegan friendly and a great place for small independent business. It’s also close to things that I love, like mountains! And redwoods! And the Goonies beach! Not to mention so many awesome people. I have high hopes for a new life there. And, most importantly, a big kitchen.

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Comments (76)

March 17, 2008 at 2:41 pm: Candice
That’s wonderful news for you! It will be a big adventure. I hope you will be very happy there!
March 17, 2008 at 2:45 pm: monica
Dude!!! I totally agree that it’s become unlivable. I’m out here in the boonies of Queens and the prices are crazy. we’ll be working on our OLD house for the next 30 years. Ugh.

Best of luck- at least we can still stalk-errr, i mean keep up with you via the lovely interwebz!
March 17, 2008 at 2:51 pm: Cherie
Awwe, that’s awesome, Isa! You sound happy about it, and that’s what matters. Let us know if you need anything.
March 17, 2008 at 2:51 pm: Andrea N.
That’s awesome. I’m sorry about Brooklyn. Good luck in Portland!
March 17, 2008 at 2:54 pm: Bethany
What a great addition to an already amazing city. I’m sure you will be very happy here in Portland!
March 17, 2008 at 3:08 pm: marissa
Congrats! my bro-in-law and wife moved their not too long ago and now my husband and i are going speculating next month! i hear its amazing. Portland is home to the beer/dinner serving movie theatre and they play Arrested Development reruns on certain nights of the week. also, how could you not love a pirate themed vegan restauarant?

i hope you are very happy there.
March 17, 2008 at 3:11 pm: jd
Yeah Isa, how could you not love a vegan pirate themed restaurant??

Which reminds me, there is a pirate themed party supplies store coming to the mall. Our loss could even out.
March 17, 2008 at 3:25 pm: Holly
Good luck with your move! I’m sure Portland will take good care of you.
March 17, 2008 at 3:26 pm: AsstroGirl
Congratulations, Isa! How awesome! You weren’t kidding when you said big news….. I’m sure you’ll be very happy there.

Portland is lucky to get you.
March 17, 2008 at 3:29 pm: Lane
Welcome to the left coast!

I’ve never been up to Oregon, but I hear wonderful things about it. And yes, there as a wrote in a recent post, there are probably more vegans per capita than anywhere else in the US. I suspect you’ll do very well there and be very happy.

As a former Brooklynite myself (I grew up in Bensonhurst) I completely understand wanting to move back there.

Lane of VeganBits.com
March 17, 2008 at 3:30 pm: B.A.D.
Gathering 2.0 at Isa’s house?
March 17, 2008 at 3:31 pm: Lane
correction…

As a former Brooklynite myself (I grew up in Bensonhurst) I completely understand NOT wanting to move back there.
March 17, 2008 at 3:47 pm: Stephanie
*checks calendar* nope, it’s not april first…

well! good luck with your move! portland is gorgeous, and GREEN. produce out the wazoo. you’ll be stoked. :)
March 17, 2008 at 3:55 pm: Deirdre Jean
Isa!

Hooray that you’re moving to Oregon! Portland is fantastic! (And cheaper than Seattle by a nice wide margin, which is good for you – bad for those of us still in Seattle!) Congratulations!

Cheers!
Deirdre
March 17, 2008 at 4:13 pm: BlindTurtle
Once you move to Portland, I can officially make you an honorary Goonie.

I think. I’ll have to check my contract.
March 17, 2008 at 4:17 pm: Deb Schiff
So happy for you! Also, I now have Portland-envy. One my favorite cities in the world. Yay!
March 17, 2008 at 4:19 pm: Alexis
Congratulations! I’m kind of hoping to move there myself sometime in the nearish future, so maybe we’ll even cross paths…
March 17, 2008 at 5:01 pm: Liene
“how could you not love a pirate themed vegan restauarant?”
It is not too hard if the food is bad and overpriced, the owner is a jerk, and it was closed a while back to make room for the owner’s new strip joint, where “the meat is on the pole, not on the plate.” Thank goodness there are so many other marvelous options here.

On a way more awesome note, holy crazypants! I’m intrigued and excited to see what this combination will produce.
March 17, 2008 at 5:09 pm: Julie
Yayy!!!! I’m so excited to have you in my home city! I have to agree with Liene’s thoughts about the vegan pirate restaurant (prior to the strip-joint move, it deserved nothing more than a big ‘meh’…now it deserves a wee bit more loathing), but there are so many delicious and tasty options out here that make it moot. Exciting!
March 17, 2008 at 5:29 pm: urbanvegan
Aw, congrats on your decision, Isa. I’ve heard that Portland is vegan paradise. Best of luck to you! Portland is lucky to get you.

This is the week of big decisions–I just made one about my job–am leaving to freelance full time.
March 17, 2008 at 5:40 pm: staci
Congrats! I’m so jealous! My husband and I tried so hard to move to Portland, but the job situation just didn’t work out for us, so we opted for Chicago instead. Maybe some day…
March 17, 2008 at 5:54 pm: Megan
YAY you will love it! I am moving to Berkeley in August (from Eugene, OR) but Portland is forever going to be one of my favorite cities, ever.
March 17, 2008 at 6:16 pm: Lydia
Yay! Coming to join us on the other side of the states, huh? You’ll love it out here. Good luck to you on your move!
March 17, 2008 at 6:29 pm: ninjaspinster
you lucky lucky bisque.
March 17, 2008 at 6:32 pm: Caitlyn
Hooray! That’s great for me, and the rest of Portland. Hope your move goes well for you.
March 17, 2008 at 7:35 pm: Jean S
hey, come on down! (or, more accurately, come on over!) I hope you’ll love it here–that all your trips have given you some sense of what it’s like. I have a feeling you’ll settle in really quickly!
March 17, 2008 at 8:22 pm: Jen O
Wow that’s great! Good luck in your new Portland adventures!
March 17, 2008 at 9:13 pm: Vegan_noodle
No fair!! I wanna move to Portland!! Seriously, though, that is is awesome.
March 17, 2008 at 9:15 pm: Vegan Dad
So . . . the fame of being a vegan chef/cookbook writer doesn’t also come with obscene amounts of fortune? Double frick! There goes my back up plan for financial security.
March 17, 2008 at 9:49 pm: Stitches
Good luck with the move!

I have to ask this: any chance of (someday) doing a West Coast book tour?
March 17, 2008 at 9:54 pm: Christina
yay! portland is awsome and so is everyone who moves here. i might be a little biased because i moved here in 98′ from san francisco but, it is still true!
March 17, 2008 at 9:59 pm: CB
Woot!

My hubby and i moved from the midwest to phila right after getting married, for his brand new job, and everything worked out well. Really well. I got a job i never would have gotten back home, and he’s really happy too! When they feel right, it’s time to go.

Also, someone else said something about a good week for big decisions, and there seems to be good karma going around lately for us animal-free folks. I got accepted into a really prestigious grad program, and my husband got word that he is presenting at an international conference. And now you’re moving! Good things in threes my friend!
March 17, 2008 at 10:37 pm: al
wow, congratulations!

of course, now brooklyn just got suckier.
March 17, 2008 at 10:41 pm: ali
Wow, I know four vegans here in Portland (including me) that are peeing their pants with excitement. You’re totally invited to all our dinner parties!
March 18, 2008 at 12:09 am: Danielle
Interesting… the very same day NY swears in its’ first black governor, and the first blind governor ever, Isa announces she is leaving NY. Coincidence?
I always heard those Sheepshead Bay girls were the most racist b*itches ever!
March 18, 2008 at 12:29 am: wingraclaire
Good luck and enjoy Portland! Looking forward to reading about your new adventures.
March 18, 2008 at 2:37 am: Billy
Best of luck to you in your new adventure. I’m out here on the west coast in Seattle. Seattle and Portland offer everything vegans could ever want; however, I do feel it is my responsibility to warn you about the weather. It is miserable half the year or more. Some people can get used to it, some can’t. Just a heads-up. I can’t wait for summer!

Have a great move! The drive across is beautiful.
March 18, 2008 at 10:00 am: Susan in italy
Hey, good luck and congratulations on the move. Portland sounds like a wonderful place. I hear more people bike to work there than in any other US city.
March 18, 2008 at 10:19 am: littlepretty
like portland isnt cool enough already?!

good for you! best of luck!
March 18, 2008 at 11:00 am: desilourocks
woohoo! isa in oregon. now that’s just awesome.

oregon is beautiful and yes, definately lots of fresh organic produce that’ll rock your world. I’m south of Eugene, and sadly haven’t explored portland that much…but geez, after hearing about a frickin pirate themed vegan restaraunt i’m thinking i’m gonna hafta soon :P
March 18, 2008 at 1:52 pm: Silent Jill
Isa,

My daughter called me yesterday to tell me you were moving to our town. Welcome! We hope that you’ll love it here as we do. I have been a vegetarian for 28 years and raised 5 children on a vegetarian diet. They are all grown up now and we all still live in the Portland area (By the way I have 3 single sons. Oh yeah, I can hear it now, Jeez mom!! what a dorky thing to say!!) My youngest daughter and I love your cookbooks and have been very happy with the recipes we have tried.

I know that you will be very happy in Portland and don’t forget that the amazing Oregon coast is just a two hour drive from Portland.

I look forward to hearing about your move. If you need anything, just email and we will try to get you what you need.
March 18, 2008 at 4:33 pm: sweetea
congratulations and good luck on your move! we’ll be awaiting more news on the vegan front!

xo
March 18, 2008 at 4:54 pm: VeryMary
Isa, I am wishing you all the best on your new adventure. When I was young, I started out living in the North Side of Chicago, then NYC (Central Park West) for a while. But the older I got, the further away from a city I ended up.

I live in a small town in the South. Not vegan friendly, but we paid less than $40 a square foot for our huge house. I have a kitchen that would hold some of the apartments I lived in the cities. And every one of the 5 cats has her or his own bedroom.

I was just mentioning to someone the other day that our mortgage here is less than the small apartment I had in Chicago in the 1970′s.

Keep us posted!
March 18, 2008 at 5:53 pm: Innochka
Best wishes on your move.

And where ever you go – there you are!
March 18, 2008 at 6:27 pm: Veggie
Good Luck with your move to Portland! Sounds very exciting. I’m so jealous.
March 18, 2008 at 6:47 pm: BrownBagBeautyBlog
The very vegan friendly Pacific Northwest awaits and welcomes your arrival.

Portland is super livable, easy to navigate and friendly. The train to Seattle takes a couple of hours, we have lots and lots of yummy veg restaraunts too!!

Good luck with the move!
March 18, 2008 at 7:31 pm: Lindsay
That will be awesome! The vegan capital of America. I want to move there too. What a great adventure for you!!!
March 18, 2008 at 8:21 pm: Jenni
I’m so jealous! Hopefully I will see you there in a couple years! (that’s the plan anyway!) I gotta get out of cleveland!
March 18, 2008 at 8:52 pm: Crys
That’s awesome news! I so want to move to Portland – primarily because of it being vegan friendly and its close proximity to the Goonies beach. Someday…
March 18, 2008 at 10:24 pm: Lori
Isa, I totally feel you! I really miss NYC, but I made the move West with the same thoughts as you. Portland is the coolest town, and I know you’re gonna dig it. We’re on the same coast now!
March 19, 2008 at 12:53 pm: tofurkish
oh i am so happy for you! it’s going to be great having you in portland, it really is an freaking awesome place to live. good luck with your move!
March 19, 2008 at 3:19 pm: Billy
Portland is not the veg capital. Seattle is. :) Sorry, had to set the record straight. Haha.
March 19, 2008 at 3:34 pm: Jamie
That’s great news! We moved to Portland almost two years ago and love it. Portland offers so many opportunities. It’s taken me a while to learn the nooks and places for specialty items but it’s all here!
March 19, 2008 at 4:08 pm: Alison
Wow. Congrats on making such a big decision! I live in Brooklyn and I feel your pain. My landlord decided to raise my rent $400 PER MONTH … for my studio apartment … I paid the rent a week early every month, kept the place immaculate, was very quiet … but alas … I guess he decided that he could get WAY more for the place. =( That is insanity. So, I’m now forced to move … *le sigh*
March 20, 2008 at 7:22 pm: David
That’s crazy. I was looking forward to a future restaurant in NY, but if Portland’s right, great for you. Luck!
March 21, 2008 at 3:32 pm: TJF
Jesus Christ. What next. I thought the vegan deli, vegan grocery store (and vegan-friendly co-ops and grocery stores), at least half-dozen exclusively vegan bakeries, vegan donuts, dozens of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants, vegan bike shop, vegan soft serve, vegan bookstore and vegan tattoo parlor topped it, but now we’ve even become a destination for vegan celebrities. My head is going to explode. Is there such thing as having it too good?
March 21, 2008 at 3:32 pm: TJF
Not to mention dozens of vegan reubens!

http://portlandveganreubens.blogspot.com
March 21, 2008 at 3:57 pm: Anna
Will you give us a review of the vegan strip club?
March 21, 2008 at 6:31 pm: Mariel
yay! what will you do here? something awesome involving food I hope! there’s so many amazing things going on here vegan-wise (although the pirate restaurant is no more and was overpriced anyway). Like Sweet Pea bakery, with a Sunday all you can eat vegan brunch, Nutshell, Veganopolis, Cheery Bomb, Red & Black, oh, it’s just lovely. happy you’re coming to play with us Isa!
March 21, 2008 at 6:32 pm: Mariel
oh and I almost forgot Food Fight!
March 22, 2008 at 9:22 am: darjeeling
Congratulations! Now I guess I have to give up my secret dream of running into you in Brooklyn and becoming best friends, but I’m happy for you anyway. :)
March 22, 2008 at 2:07 pm: pdx-nummers
YAY! For you, and for Portland. I love it here and it sounds like a great move for you. Congrats, good luck, and I look forward to meeting you in person!
March 22, 2008 at 11:28 pm: tofulish
Please tell me you’re just threatening this so that Brooklyn will pony up a large cash incentive to have you stay there. Seriously, aren’t you on their currency?
March 24, 2008 at 7:42 pm: donna diskosquid
I am totally bummed you are leaving this city with your delicious cupcakey goodness, but i also want to wish you luck on your move, I cannot blame you and i am likely going to be forced out of this city soon too…..
Rock the west coast !
March 25, 2008 at 7:42 pm: Brooke
Will your show continue on? I am soooooo curious.
March 26, 2008 at 12:42 am: Rosanne
I am thirlled to have you in my beloved city! I have always felt blessed here and I hope to run into you one day here in my Hawthorne neighborhood.
March 26, 2008 at 7:27 pm: Amy
yay! you do have a portland passport right? because otherwise you can’t move here…well, maybe. if you sign my cookbooks.
March 28, 2008 at 1:53 pm: stumptown
“…..but it?s become quite unlivable for me.”- Please don’t do the same to Portland. As a new resident, please always remember what Portland was before you moved here. Help fight against the “improvements” people seem to think are necessary, even though they are just making another unlivable city. thank you. live w/less than you want. know dirt is your friend.
March 28, 2008 at 8:28 pm: rhi
portland?

shweetness. welcome fellow oregonian!

be sure to check out vegan brunch saturday at veganopolis :]

http://www.veganopolis.com/
March 29, 2008 at 1:38 am: shannon
we’re happy to have you. portland will welcome you with open arms, i guarantee!
March 30, 2008 at 5:22 am: maria
Just as I am about to move to Brooklyn (from Queens!), you leave. So sad – but so good for Portland! The boroughs miss you!
April 1, 2008 at 12:41 pm: sharonpdx
hey-o! great news for p-town!
April 1, 2008 at 6:20 pm: RL
Portland is the new Brooklyn anyway; just one of the few select towns that hipsters bounce around to. It’s already the the whitest city in America!
April 6, 2008 at 12:41 pm: happy herbivore
Congrads! PDX rules! it is the perfect place for vegans! I left NYC for the same reasons and am quite happy in sunny LA!
April 28, 2008 at 12:12 pm: sarabeth
hey! now that you’ll be in the great northwest you can come up to seattle and get the worlds best (yes I said it) vegan donuts…
MIGHTY-O!!!
email me and I’ll hook you up ;)
June 3, 2008 at 8:53 pm: Amanda
I could have written this post. Just replace Portland with Florida and Brooklyn with Vermont. Swap out the 2500 studios and 300. haircuts for 1000. rents, 250 power bills, and 400. a month heating fuel bills. With a sad heart I leave the place I grew up and hope for a better life. I wish you much luck in your new home town!