Reviews & Comments
Portland, OR
"What do you do?" -
3/2/2009I grew up in Washington, D.C., where the above question, upon meeting someone, invariably meant one thing: "What do you do for work?" In Portland, that question opens a much wider conversational door -- it can mean "What do you creatively?" or "What outdoor activities do you enjoy?" or "What sorts of volunteer or political activities are you involved in?" People in Portland enjoy well-rounded lives with plentiful outlets for creative expression and opportunities for community engagement. Perhaps it's the challenging climate that keeps people kind of "tender" here, but Portlanders are generally kind, calm and considerate. Portland has everything that anyone accustomed to a larger city might want in terms of services and culture, but still enjoys a small town feel, including many livable neighborhoods throughout the city.