The Portland metro region is currently in a state of transition. Over the past decade Portland has pulled away from its former economic peers. However, it has yet to catch the nation's upper tier. The Portland area's high-wage job growth, rising levels of educational attainment, and household income gains are among the best in the nation, outperforming nearly all other large metro areas. As the real Portland changes, some are searching for the "Next Portland." However each of the most commonly cited contenders lacks a very important ingredient or two.