What BestPlaces Users Say about Portland
Portland, Oregon is a dynamic city known for its vibrant arts scene, outdoor recreation opportunities, and progressive culture. It has a population of over 600,000 people and is consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live in the United States. With such high praise, it's no surprise that many people have chosen to make Portland their home. To get a better understanding of what it's like to live in this city, I have included summaries of user reviews from BestPlaces.net.
According to a review from "Mark," Portland is "a city that truly lives up to its reputation." He goes on to mention the city's charm, friendly residents, and abundance of coffee shops and microbreweries. Another user, "Samantha," agrees, stating that Portland is "a dream city for anyone who loves nature and outdoor activities." She also highlights the city's food scene and bustling downtown.
However, not all reviews are glowing. A user named "Jonathan" mentions that while he loves the city's culture and opportunities, the high cost of living can be a challenge. He also points out the growing issue of homelessness in certain areas of the city. Similarly, "Jessica" mentions that the traffic and commute times in Portland can be a downside, although she still enjoys living there overall.
In summary, it's clear that Portland has a lot to offer, from its unique culture to its beautiful outdoor spaces. While some reviewers mention challenges such as high costs and traffic, the majority of users are happy with their decision to live in this dynamic and diverse city. As "Mark" puts it, "Portland truly is a gem in the Pacific Northwest."
based on 386 ReviewsGet to know Portland with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Portland
Portland is composed of transplants - 8/28/2012
I am an oregon native, from eastern oregon and have been living portland for five years. I have met alot of people and most of these hipsters that you speak of are actually transplants from california or the midwest. I feel like Portland is home. I like the size and would not feel very comfortable living somewhere larger. I am educated, classy, and cultured. So alot of these "portlanders" are actually those who want to rebel and move from the midwest or wherever. They feel like they fit it in, cause there views are so "different" and "unique." Half if not more of the new hires at my work are from
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Life in Portland - 5/30/2012
Portland is a great place for beginning families. Wonderful climate but can be somewhat wet in the spring. Winters have gotten warmer so it rains here but only a few miles away is snow and skiing.going the other direction is the pacific ocean but you'll need a wet suit! We tend to roll up the streets early here, not too many late night spots. Great food abounds in portland. This a bike friendly very green city. Great summer festivals, saturday markets, jazz festivals...lots to do. Housing has gotten a bit expensive, gas too, but no tax on the
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looking for someplace to settle more permanently - 4/22/2012
You state I must select a City and State, well I do not have a particular one, so this is difficult. I love many places.. . .
Please note; I am interested in Washington State, Oregon, California, and Scottsdale, AZ area there
abouts.
Category, there are several things that effects my decision making process, and it is difficult to choose just one State or City of interest. It is complex, as I have humbly, traveled nationally & internationally. I also am at
the ripe age of 60 + . . . So I hope you will give me a bit more time. I am of humble means. . . $$
I apologize as wright now I am unable to express locations. There are lots of factors for me to consider. Within the early next few months I shall need to relocate. I should be able to say more of what I am looking for in the very near future..
Sincerely,
Kay,
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Negative Comments - 4/10/2012
I'm saddened to read the negative comments about P-Town. I currently live 16 miles south of San Francisco. At age 64, (age discrimination abounds here) I'm faced early retirment and relocating is inevitable. I've visited Portland several times, stayed downtown, attended the ballet, symphony, visited museums, parks and gardens etc. and was impressed. Portland's transportation was clean, safe, or at least during the day it was. And there were transit connections to the PDX airport.
I hate to say this, but there are many dishonest and unfriendly people "EVERYWHERE" especially since the economic downturn. Finding the right neighborhood to live in any city is key. The downside for me with Portland would be the number of cloudy days -- so if I did move there, finding an apartment (near downtown or Northwest) with good light exposure would be a must.
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Disappointed - 3/7/2012
Well after 5 years of living here, I find myself disappointed by the people I meet. I've lived in other states and do not have trouble making friends. At first I thought the people here were just unique or 'eccentric'. Now I see that that is just a nice word for callous and unfriendly. I keep encountering people who claim to be liberal and for human rights etc, but are so cold and undependable in how they treat their friends or acquaintances! I don't get it! They're not just cautious, but suspicious of anyone who just says hi on the street, like you must be a serial killer if you acknowledge others. I'm not just talking a few times, this is a daily/weekly occurence for me and I'm pretty friendly and 'normal'. Perhaps too normal for this town. Go ahead and "keep Portland weird", but I'm heading for the south and some southern hospitality (and sunshine wouldn't hurt either). I guess I can only conclude it must be the 9 months of darkness that keeps people in their
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Portland is a Small Town - 1/5/2012
I can only think that the people who say it rains too much in Portland must be from the South West. I reluctantly moved to Portland from Seattle seven years ago, only because I could not afford to buy a house in that real, beautiful, and exciting city, where the cost of housing is approaching New York City's. I had heard all of the talk about Portland, but have found much of it to be overplayed and exaggerated. Compared to Seattle, Vancouver BC, and New England, it does not rain a lot here at all. The summers are extremely long and dry (which my water bill will attest to). It rained only a very few days this past December, supposedly the wettest month of the year. And where are all of these well-educated hipsters I had read so much about? Not here in the Belmont District. Most of my neighbors are poorly educated rednecks. Most of the people I have met here over the years are very conservative and do not actually live in Portland, but in Beaverton or Lake Oswego. I wish that this
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Portland: All Hype and No Substance - 10/31/2011
After having lived in Seattle, Berlin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cork, my husband and I moved to Portland six years ago. Although we had looked at houses on both coasts of the US, and I had wanted to return to Seattle (where we both grew up), my husband was enthusiatic about Portland's much vaunted arts scene and ostensibly green sensibilities, as well as its purported gloomy weather (we both love rain and storms). I reluctantly went along with the move, and it remains the worst mistake I have ever made. Having spent every summer of my childhood at a cabin near Mt Hood, I knew that, in spite of its reputation for gloom, Portland really doesn't have a comparatively high percentage of rainfall. The sky is almost always a uniformly glaring, migraine-inducing white, and summers are bone dry and can be hellishly hot - often over 100 degrees. Our first summer here, we experienced a high temperature of 107. We began making plans then to sell our house and leave - just as housing prices began
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