- I loved living in Portland, Oregon, in college and my early 20s — I thought I’d stay there forever.
- But a temporary move to Baker City, a small town in rural Oregon, shifted my mindset.
- I moved there once I’d had enough of Portland’s noise, big-city vibes, and cost of living.
I grew up in a small town in Oregon and couldn’t wait to pack my bags and head to Portland for college.
The city seemed to have everything I could need: bustling streets, museums, art, culture, and an abundance of good food.
And for years, Portland was the perfect lively place for a young adult like me. I enjoyed living there while attending Portland State University, a campus in the heart of downtown surrounded by both trees and skyscrapers.
I spent most mornings jogging along the Willamette River and across the city’s many bridges. On weekends, I could tour the local farmers market, visit a botanical garden, eat at tons of different food trucks, or even head to popular spots like Powell’s City of Books or chains such as Voodoo Doughnut.
I swore I’d never leave my beloved city, but I later realized doing so was the best option for me.
At first, I thought I just needed a temporary break from Portland
The summer after I graduated from college, I needed some time to regroup without feeling rushed to decide my next step.
The go-getter in me was feeling burned out, I missed my family, and I knew I couldn’t slow down and just breathe while living in Portland.
The city felt so busy, and the high cost of living was tough to manage as a single person living on my own. I’d have to work full time — and maybe even take on another job — just to make ends meet.
So, I packed my bags and headed five hours east to Baker City, a small town in rural Oregon where members of my family lived.
Affordable, quaint, and quiet, Baker City was just the break I needed. Soon enough, though, I missed the buzz of Portland and the convenience of having a wide variety of shops and restaurants at my fingertips.
After a few months, I returned to Portland to start graduate school.
But my mental health took a turn when I returned to Portland
Though I was surrounded by people in the city, I felt incredibly lonely. My anxiety and depression were worsening by the day, and I was battling panic attacks, paranoia, and suicidal ideations.
Therapy wasn’t helping, and neither were the antidepressants. Most days, I struggled to get dressed and leave my apartment.
I craved community, less noise, and more peace. Soon, I realized I only experienced those things when I was visiting family in Baker City.
Unlike before, the small town’s slow pace seemed appealing to me. Plus, the lower cost of living could help alleviate some of my stress.
I knew I had to make a change to improve my well-being, so I left Portland for good and moved to Baker City.
My small town allows me to live the life of simplicity I desire
I now live in Baker City with my partner and pet husky and work as a full-time yoga teacher and writer.
As I’ve gotten older, I realized I no longer want to be around crowds — and having too many choices for restaurants, shops, and events feels more overwhelming than desirable.
There are more small businesses than there are chains here, but I love it. Most of the local business owners know me by name and often ask how I’m doing.
Restaurant options are limited, but I still eat well. We have several ranches and farms from which we can locally source food. Plus, I’ve started gardening and enjoy growing my own food.
Though Baker City’s population of about 10,000 is a far cry from the more than half a million people in Portland, my smaller community feels much tighter.
I can’t remember the last time I felt lonely. Of all the years I lived in Portland, I never had as easy of a time making friends as I have here.
We have a large art and music community, many outdoor activities, and annual events. Baker City also gets lots of sunshine and less rain than Portland, which has also been beneficial to my mental health.
Portland will forever have a piece of my heart, but not like Baker City does. I love the simple yet beautiful life I’ve cultivated here over the past three years and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
