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
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My Fav Place Live- PDX! - 8/21/2008
I have lived in Portland 3 different times spanning most of my life. I always want to go back. I love the progressive and accepting attitudes of many residents. It wasn't until I recently moved back to my family's home of Richmond, VA that I have come to appreciate how nice it is to live in a city whose citizens give a damn about the general quality of life in the community around them. Portland has a great mass transit that will become even better upon the completion of the new MAX line that runs parallel to I-205. You don't really need a car to live in most areas, LOTS of people ride bikes. The environment and sustainability is important to almost everyone, the level of awareness is higher than anywhere else I have been personally - and that is most of the US. I also have found that counter-culture and alternative life styles are very accepted. Very little random & violent crime.
The Cons- The cost of living is above average and has continued to rise and currently the
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Crime lots of it - 7/24/2008
Anyone that has the gall to come on here and act like Portland only has low crime is being cruel to people. It may not be murder city USA but property crime and vehicle crime is very high here. You can love Portland all you want that is fine, there are many nice things about it, but crime is way to high here. Meaning for its size its crime feels more associated with a much bigger metro area. Yeah its immigrant crime and the low lifes that plague this area. Its a shame it should never have gotten to the point it is. Just take a drive thru the east side over to Rockwood and Gresham and Southeast Portland, and Northeast Portland. There isn't a whole lot left of the city now is it, maybe Northwest and that is no garden spot either any
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People and life in Portland - 7/19/2008
Been in Portland about thirteen years after having lived in many places in the country. Contrary to what another wrote in the people section, Portland is to me one of the top cities in the country to live in. It does not rain here, it drizzles, so slightly most of the time in the winter. I enjoy the clouds and the trees and do not need the sun to function.Yet the sun and weather is ever so mild in the summer. Fair in the summer, moderate in the winter. Most of the people are friendlier than many cities back east and south, and most don't rush to judgment. Has more parks and green than any other city it's size. Low crime for a city it's size. Probably the best bike friendly city. A fresh, clean city. Good selection of food, organic and other. You don't see the obesity of other cities in the midwest.Most people are readers and thinkers. Good public transportation also. Most people care for the rights of others, for the most part, for a city. Most people don't live in the redneckish fear
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Quality of Life - 6/30/2008
I live in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland and I specifically moved here because of the feeling community. I know what the crime reports say but I feel safer here than I did in a suburb of
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City of Portland - 6/26/2008
I suppose if you watch local news you might get the idea that there are murders, robberies, aggressive homeless and meth-heads on every corner in every neighborhood in Portland. I've lived here since 1990 and I consider myself a refugee from Seattle. Portland is a much safer-feeling, more accessible, culturally more exciting city than Seattle will ever hope to be. I lived in the Puget Sound area about 25 years and, although I love it up there for a variety of reasons, my opinion is that Portland is just a much better city than Seattle. It has lower crime, it's better managed and governed, it has a better transportation system, there is an extremely eclectic variety of restaurants, cafes, restaurants, bars, music venues, etc., and then there is the urban planning here that Seattle hasn't even begun to approach...
I've also lived for at least a year in Atlanta, Washington DC, San Francisco and Boston. Portland, in my experience and opinion, is a superior city to any of those
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portland,cool place to live....................... - 6/26/2008
portland is really a neat place! nice people, great food, fantastic old buildings ,and the bridges are really cool.treelovers, this is your heaven. really wonderful fresh air quality! no sale tax , and the rose capital of the world. as for the grey days, the sun usually peaks out of the most wonderful clouds ,you will ever see. places are what you make of it yourself. people adapt,life goes on ...get over the grey and enjoy the comfortable weather. it`s a lot more easy, to warm up,than to cool off. the views are to dye for.close to the sea,not to far from the mountains. it`s just a little too crowed for me. i live in salem ,more laid back,a little more comfortable,less people,and more to my style. portland is less than 40 minutes
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How Close... - 6/25/2008
How Accessible is the great oudoors from Portland Proper... And how far are the nearest mountains...? Is the coast line nearby avaiable to the public? I'm not a trail rider and hiker; I perfer to make trails - and love diversity in Nature, Does that exist near
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Portland is wonderful, but it isn't for everyone. - 6/23/2008
Portland is the best city we have ever lived in and we go back there every chance we get. If you are a homophobe, dislike rain, some gray days, tend to lean towards the far right, hate cats, despise reading, art, good music, restaurants, coffee, etc. or the fun cultural quirkiness that exists there, PLEASE go to Texas or Arizona or some other sunny cookie cutter place where you can be among bland strip malls and people. We have found Oregonians to be wonderfully friendly, giving and interesting. And stop complaining about the rain. Rain makes things grow and some of us actually aren't afraid of getting wet! There are great places in the desert where it rarely rains awaiting you. As for me, I have had enough dryness, it makes your skin like an alligator all the time, gives you premature wrinkles, and your nose bleed, never mind high altitude which is tough on your heart. My wife and I had to move to Colorado for a business deal/house 6 years ago and all we can talk about is going back
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Quality of Life is worth the cost! - 6/19/2008
The reason why Portland has higher property taxes and house costs is that it's just such a great place to live. City planners did a (too) good job of preventing sprawl and it inflated housing prices. Still and all house prices are fairly compatible with any other major metro area - except with Portland you get a shorter commute, better public transportation, and city events that actually make you proud to live there.
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