New York Times Magazine Highlights Portland's "Amenity Paradox"

Will we always be a "retirement community for the young?"

By NIGEL JAQUISS

Portland's reputation as a haven for under-employed kombucha-swillers gets another bounce from the New York Times Magazine.

The Sept. 14 issue has a thoughtful examination of our city's "amenity paradox," the phenomenon in which the very things that draw people to a place—good coffee, beer, scenery and cheap real estate in Portland's case—attract so many people that the place becomes less attractive.

That has not yet happened here, despite Portland having become the second-leading city in the country at attracting and retaining college grads, many of whom, the Times notes, are marginally productive.

WWeek 2015

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