PORTLAND, OR — A new city-funded study has confirmed what many Portlanders suspected but struggled to articulate: most residents are currently “between things.”
The findings were released Monday in a 118-page report titled Transitional States in Urban Populations, presented at a modest gathering in Northeast Portland where attendees nodded quietly and said things like “yeah, that tracks.”
According to researchers, being “between things” is no longer a temporary condition but a dominant lifestyle phase across much of the city.
Defining “Between” Without Resolving It
The study, conducted over 14 months, surveyed more than 3,000 Portland residents and identified a shared reluctance to describe their current situation as stable, complete, or final.
Instead, participants overwhelmingly selected descriptors such as:
- “In transition”
- “Figuring it out”
- “Taking a step back”
- “Not doing that anymore, but not this yet”
Researchers noted that many respondents paused before answering, then laughed softly.
“People weren’t distressed,” said the study’s lead author. “They were reflective.”
Between Jobs, But Not Unemployed
One of the most common categories identified was Between Jobs, a status the report carefully distinguishes from unemployment.
“Portlanders are not out of work,” the study explains. “They are between roles that felt aligned and roles that might.”
Respondents in this category often reported:
- Freelancing “for now”
- Consulting informally
- Working part-time while reassessing priorities
Many declined to name a specific job title, opting instead for phrases like “former,” “adjacent,” or “still evolving.”
Projects That Are Technically Ongoing
Another significant group identified themselves as Between Projects, meaning they were actively involved in something but unable to define its scope, timeline, or outcome.
These projects included:
- Podcasts awaiting rebranding
- Zines pending revision
- Businesses in “soft launch” for over a year
- Creative endeavors paused at “almost ready”
Researchers observed that the concept of completion appeared optional.
“In Portland, starting is valued,” the report notes. “Finishing is contextual.”
Phases, Identities, and Other Open-Ended States
Beyond work, respondents frequently described themselves as between phases or between identities, often without specifying what those phases were.
Common responses included:
- “Not who I was, not sure who I’m becoming”
- “Between versions of myself”
- “Still shedding the old one”
The study emphasizes that this state was rarely framed as a problem.
“In other cities, this might be anxiety,” the authors wrote. “Here, it’s vocabulary.”
Neighborhood Patterns Emerge
The report identified subtle variations by neighborhood.
- SE Portland residents were more likely to be between creative phases
- North Portland respondents cited being between communities
- Downtown participants were often between leases
- Inner Eastside residents reported being between caffeine tolerances
Despite these differences, the underlying condition remained consistent.
“Everyone’s in motion,” the study concludes. “Just not necessarily forward.”
Emotional Impact: Surprisingly Neutral
Contrary to expectations, researchers found low levels of panic associated with being between things.
Instead, participants reported feelings described as:
- Mild uncertainty
- Low-level fatigue
- Cautious openness
One respondent summarized their state simply: “I’m not lost. I’m paused.”
The study suggests that Portland’s cultural acceptance of ambiguity may reduce pressure to resolve transitions quickly.
City Officials Respond Carefully
City officials acknowledged the findings without proposing immediate action.
“This isn’t something you fix,” said a spokesperson. “It’s something you recognize.”
The city is reportedly considering minor adjustments to forms and surveys, allowing residents to select “between” as a valid status when prompted for occupation or affiliation.
Libraries and community centers may also introduce Transitional Programming, described as “drop in, leave early, no expectations.”
A Shared Condition, Not a Crisis
Urban sociologists say the study reflects broader trends in modern work and identity, but note that Portland has embraced the state more openly.
“Elsewhere, people hide this,” said one observer. “Here, they workshop it.”
The report concludes with a reminder that being between things does not imply failure, delay, or indecision.
“It implies movement,” the final page reads. “Even if the direction isn’t clear yet.”
As one resident put it while reading the summary at a café in Division-Clinton:
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” they said. “But apparently, I’m doing it correctly.”
