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
Some Good, Some Bad - 12/9/2006
I have lived in Portland for 5 years now. I moved here from Atlanta and at first I really loved it here. The first 2 years felt good, but now the bad stuff about Portland has become obvious.
People here aren't very interested in being your real friend. They are nice enough, but don't expect them to take time to get to know you or develop a friendly rapport. Portland people on the whole are very flaky, they don't follow through on plans and tell you one thing and do another quite a bit and it's really frustrating. In my 5 years here I have only 2 people I consider close enough that I can call, have deeper discussion and hang out with them. I feel quite lonely here, much more so than Atlanta.
The rain and general cloudiness can be tough. It didn't bother me at first, but the last 2 winters have really gotten to me, there's a gloominess about it and I feel it has an effect on the people here. I find that I feel physically 'off' even when I know I'm fine. When the
Read More
Start Your Review of Portland
Dirty School - 12/9/2006
I go to Portland State. I don't think they EVER clean the buildings. The stair wells are full of dust bunnies and the classrooms are always dirty. I have allergies and I'm sure many others do to dust. My class mates always seem to be sick, and I wonder why. Germs just spread since nothing ever gets cleaned there. I pass a bum on campus every day trying to beg money off me. I don't think I have anything nice to say about PSU except my major is offered here and I like the department I'm in. I will be getting out of Portland as soon as I graduate and am looking to persue my Masters
Read More
Car theft - 12/9/2006
I HATE PORTLAND. I'm from Eastern Oregon, but have also lived in Salem and Corvallis. My car got stolen on my birthday. The cops could of cared less they are so busy dealing with murders and other violent crimes. I am here to go to school, Portland State is dirty and I run into a bum every day on campus begging for money. I don't recommend living here for anyone. As soon as I graduate, I am out of
Read More
interested in Portland - 11/29/2006
I'm interested in moving to Portland with my family. Any suggestions and/or advice in affordable areas with good schools and low crime rates?
Read More
Places to live in Portland - 11/28/2006
One of the things you have to consider when locating in Portland is proximity to public transportation. The road capacity isn't keeping up with density, so more and more folks depend on the bus and MAX to get around. Even though it might take some getting used to it is a great thing! Cars are serious sources of air pollution and isolate us from one another. Further, they prevent us from walking anywhere and promote obesity. You can spend more on housing if you spend less on transportation. My husband and I and 2 kids lived for many years with one car, which we didn't even use every day, because we chose to live in an area with good transit. This saved us thousands. I would recommend living close in in an area like Hillsdale or Multnomah
Read More
Portland is a good city - 10/30/2006
I have lived in Portland since 1995 and have lived in Hillsdale, Woodstock/Reed College, and the Alphabet districts -- SE Woodstock is a great location for a middle income household -- There is always lots to do and it never seems to rain enough to prevent outdoor activities (even in the Winter months) It never down-pours like it does in other parts of the country -- If it does rain it tends to be a light mist -- I currently park on the SE side of the Willamette and walk to work to SW 5th or take the fairless square (I bike to work 3/4 of the year)and don't carry an umbrella because it doesn't rain enough to bother -- Housing prices have shot up in the last 3 years but Portland is still very affordable when compared with Seattle, Bend, San Francisco, SoCal or most of the other bigger cites on the West Coast. Walking around downtown Portland is very safe and clean -- I come from the Upper Midwest (Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit) and would not go back unless I really had to. The people
Read More
Moving to Portland - 10/27/2006
My boyfriend and I are looking to move to Portland in the next few months. Much like the previous poster, I am curious what areas of the city are the best to live in. We are coming from Philadelphia, so we know what constitutes a bad neighborhood, and we wish to avoid moving into one. We will be looking to rent. We are a gay couple in our mid-late 20's looking to live in the central or somewhat central area of the city. Any help on what neighborhoods to avoid or which ones to look at would be wonderful.
Read More
Questions for Portland Residents - 10/27/2006
My husband and I are going to be moving to the Portland area sometime within the next year. We plan on renting so that we can explore the surrounding communities before we attempt to buy a home. Can anyone recommend a neighborhood in Portland to rent in? We are middle-income people. Any advice would be
Read More
Portland is the most UNFRIENDLY city I've ever liv - 10/19/2006
Portland may very well be the most unfriendly city I've ever lived in or even visited! I have lived in Orlando, Detroit, Minneapolis and Denver and have visited almost every major city in the US. I've also lived in small towns in 5 states, and Portland is the WORST!!
When you walk in the city, just try to make eye contact with anyone to give them a friendly smile or say hello. Forget it, because it won't happen. The only people who will say anything is the crazy homeless people, and they're obviously just looking for a handout.
Even at work, where I've been for 2 months, I'll walk down the hall and co-workers will avert their eyes to the wall or floor. That way, they won't have to make eye contact and thus not have to say anything to you. Getting a "good morning" out of someone at work is like pulling teeth. In fact, I would say the majority of the people who work on my floor (probably 50 to 60) I've never even heard their voice, nor know their names.
Read More
A longer view - 10/13/2006
I am troubled by the reckless or inaccurate comments I have read at this site. I moved to Portland 30 years ago from California, and at that point I noticed a negative attitude from only those who themselves came from another state. The native Portlanders were, by contrast, open and friendly. I have long been at home here, and I still observe a continued openness toward others from elsewhere in the US as well as from other countries. I do live in the central area near downtown, so perhaps one has a different experience further from the center. The city has also been quite welcoming of a diversity of viewpoints and artistic expressions, and what one wears or how one looks seems not to matter much at all. The city has become a magnet for creative young people, and I think the general liberal openness is a big reason. I know that the cost of housing has escalated greatly since I moved here, and I feel lucky to have bought a home before the big increase. Still, the statistics
Read More