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
Great mass transit - 1/7/2010
Portland, Oregon has a wonderfully developed (and still growing) mass transit system that allows those who do not have personal automobiles and/or those who choose to utilize mass transit the ability to easily move throughout the
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Crime Depends On Neighborhood - 12/24/2009
The fact that every ZIP Code in Portland is given a grade of 6 or 7 for crime is a little off-base. There are good and bad areas in every city, and, from what I've read in books, Portland is no different. It's my understanding that neighborhoods such as Ash Creek, Healy Heights, Bridlemile, Southwest Hills Residential League, Hillside/Westover, Sylvan-Highlands, Arnold Creek, Dunthorpe, Collins View, Riverwood, and Alameda have relatively little crime but many others, such as Downtown, Old Town, Argay, Parkrose, Sabin, Boise, Eliot, and Centennial have a lot, whereas such neighborhoods as Laurelhurst and Irvington are somewhere in between. It's important to check out all your options from as many sources as possible before deciding where you want to
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Don't be fooled - 12/12/2009
Portland, Or is not mild. The summers can get very hot and winter is long and can be bitterly cold with snow and
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Good transportation - 10/26/2009
Portland has really good public transportation in my opinion. Before I got a car I was able to get just about anywhere I wanted to go using the MAX and Bus
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Weird Sun - 9/20/2009
I just can't see when the sun comes out here. It is never up in the sky where it belongs. It is always right in your face! What is wrong here ? I moved here from Boise where the sun is in the
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Cohousing Communities Help Make Portland a Great C - 9/14/2009
The Portland Metro Area is home to about six cohousing communities. Members own their homes, share some meals each week and know each other and their families well. They range from suburban settings to more urban cohousing projects, like North Portland's Daybreak Cohousing which opens Fall 2009. Some, like Daybreak, have openings. Others are full but occasionally have homes available. For people relocating to Portland, joining a cohousing project means finding instant, multigenerational community. A tour of Portland cohousing communities will be held in November 2009. More information is available at
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Summer time blues - 9/6/2009
The only thing wrong with living in Portland or any city West of the cascades is the weather. As a commercial A/C and heater man, I'm always on top roofs and in my opinion, the rain all bunched up in the winter months is enough to make you scream. the summer feels like its to short. after 5 years of this place, I need another
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Love Portland - 8/24/2009
The recession has really hit Portland as well as the state hard. Unemployment is high as well as the cost of living. I was born and raised in Salem Oregon. And by the way, I wouldn't live in Salem. Portland was hit hard by all of the transplants from California. The entire state has been hit hard by them. That is one of the main reasons why the cost of living has increased so much. It's funny though since most Californians left their state in order to get away from what they created. However, now they are doing the same to Oregon. Portland has been rated as one of the most culturally divers cities in the nation and hailed as one of the better cities in the world. Not too bad. So that will draw people from all over the world, which will increase the cost of living. It's easy to get in to the city and is one of the best cities to visit. I lived in Phoenix for 8 years and that is one place that lacks all of the above. And it's no wonder everybody is moving out of
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Retirement City Search - 8/19/2009
I've only just started to look for a place to move when I retire in 6-7 years. Portland was the first city I looked at. Evidently, it would be more expensive to live in than Los Angeles. I will continue my search and do not have anything bad to say about Portland, OR, since otherwise it sounds like a wonderful city in which to
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