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
Potential Longterm Climate Change - 5/13/2011
In the past few years the weather in Portland has gotten progressively worse due to increased rainfall and what we perceive as a shorter summer due to an increase in the number of rainy and cloudy days in the fall, winter and spring and a shorter spring. We have only lived in the Portland area for 10 years so we do not know if this is due to climate change from global warming or cyclic weather patterns which we would not be aware of since we have only lived here 10
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Love It - 5/11/2011
Portland is quite an eclectic, diverse city. It seems to be stigmatized by people as a very liberal place, but in my opinion it reminds me of any big city. You have pockets of liberalism and you have areas that are just normal, everyday people. What's great about Portland is the culture and environment is somewhat comparable to a major metropolis, but the size is smaller and the cost of living lower. The restaurant scene in itself is spectacular, maybe one of the best in the country. The outdoor scene is awesome. There are lots of big parks, the river front is beautiful, and mountains and beaches for hiking only an hour or so away. The scenery on a sunny day makes this potentially the most beautiful place in the country. Also, Portland bucks the trend of flaky West Coast sports fans. Just go to a Trail Blazers game and see for yourself. These might be the most dedicated basketball fans in the country. The pub scene is also great with a wide variety of local breweries. The city takes
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My Area... - 5/10/2011
I live in a middle class area that has older homes. It is nice with big yards and a mix of retired and working
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Portland OR - 4/25/2011
Great medium sized city if you like 7 months of rain/gloom. Beautiful surroundings, good downtown, little
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What's up with the haters? This is a GREAT place t - 4/23/2011
I moved to Portland from the Midwest about six years ago and have never looked back. This city offers a wide range of opportunities regardless of your background and what stage of life you are in. The haters who are complaining about not meeting people and running into the wrong crowd simply don't know where to look. I mean, of course you're going to be freaked out if you hang out in some parts of Southeast Portland 24/7, but there is more to Portland than just hippies and potheads. Every city has its drawbacks.
Looking to start a family or move a young family elsewhere? The suburbs are very affluent, the school systems there are great, and the neighborhoods are very safe and comfortable. You are an hour from the coast and an hour from the mountains, so there are many options on what to do on the weekends.
Young and/or single? The city life is great for a mid-sized major city like Portland. From the Pearl District to the Hawthorne District and everywhere in
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Ignore the haters...this is a GREAT place to live - 4/23/2011
Does Portland have its negatives? Yes, just like every other city. But this is an AMAZING city to live in no matter what your demographic is.
Trying to start a family and settle down? The suburbs are great with an amazing school system and high quality neighborhoods.
Young and/or single and want the city life? Downtown is vibrant and offers a wide range of choices, from the Pearl District to the Hawthorne District and everywhere in between.
Looking to retire? Don't look further. One of the most peaceful places in the country and a wide range of options to live.
Those that are complaining about Portland not having "great people" are simply not looking in the right places. Sure, if you troll Southeast Portland 24/7, you'll be freaked out by the hippies and liberals. But once you meet great people (and there are plenty here!) and get used to the city, it will grow on you.
Weather isn't great, but it doesn't snow nearly as
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Racisim and Cloudy - 4/6/2011
I have been here 12 years which means 9 years too long. You are lucky to be able to leave at the end of the year. I plan on leaving this area next summer. The population here is 2% black and 70% white and 38% illegal aliens. The area is very green but there is always a smell in the air. It rains 9 months out of year. We get about 1 month total of summer. This is a place to come to focus on eduction but once graduation occurs you should be on the first thing smoking ( out of town). Not to play the race card but Oregon is not a place for African Americans to advance in his or her career. Believe it or not I have been Rx Vitamin D 50,000 units once a week. NO SUN! We are moving next year without a
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Why is this city in the USA - 3/31/2011
I have lived here a few years now, and I will finally get to move out of here at the end of the year. Its really not much of a city when you add it all up. Forget about the dismal climate, that is common knowledge or I would think it would be. What is wrong with this place is the type of population it has. For a major West Coast City it has a very large percentage of natives to this area. Many are cool to cold and now and then you will find a friendly one. Very introverted people that wander about with ear buds staring at their IPhones all day every day. Not what I would call a personable population by no means.Im disgusted with the lack of pride in ones property here. Weeds and junk in yards and there are very few nice neighborhoods. Alot of white people and a number of immigrants. Its a strange mix of people not assimilating into a society to be proud of. Hipsters and free speech and so many on food stamps. Really if you don't want to work don't make it look like you
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Weather - 1/25/2011
I have never got used to the long winters here. The lack of sunshine is definitely an issue. My doctor says everyone is lacking in Vitamin D because of lack of sunshine. Even when there is no rain and there is supposed to be sun, the valley fog settles over the city and if you're lucky it might burn off by late
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