In need of a Travel Agent - Oregon, please

We should start a west coast meet up. Any volunteers? I'm hoping to meet Kimberlee if I ever get to Seattle again but I'm not trusting Snoqualmie Pass for a while.
 
My brother has lived in Portland for over 30 years. We skype and email and Facebook a lot but physical visits are not that often, so I'm not a real source for the information you need, but further to Anne's comment about how lush and green it is: My brother always says "people in Oregon do not tan, they rust". The Pacific Northwest has a beautiful rainforest, and it's damp and misty a lot, from a dry desert climate you might find this disconcerting. I do know, culture around Portland is lots of organic, very liberal, laid back. Pot is also legal in Oregon.
 
We have a friend who lives in Portland (but is now in Grad School in Western NC for forestry something). Let's say he's totally "granola". @Lindzee summed it up...I do know, culture around Portland is lots of organic, very liberal, laid back. Pot is also legal in Oregon. I've been told by those who've lived there that Portlandia is not inaccurate...
Can you cope with cool and misty rainforest weather? highs in the 80s now mid summer?

We''ve only been to the area round Seaside/Cannon Beach. Breathtaking! but swear we'll get to Portland just for Powells.
 
I never saw this thread before now! Portland is our favorite place to go - we live about 2.5 hours east.

Saturday market, the waterfront, voodoo donuts (there are 2 locations. the one we always frequent is the sketchier of the two, and the original one, but it's near the market and waterfront. I honestly don't know where the other one is lol), Lloyd center mall is great but the last time we were there - little over a month ago - there was all sorts of construction inside and the ice rink is part of that construction. pioneer square mall is another option. Rockbottom Brewery is our favorite place to eat, but the food carts are pretty great too. my favorite food cart is the grilled cheese grill. they have excellent sandwiches - the kelsey is what I usually get - and homemade tomato soup. yum. I'm just getting started. I'll be back once I'm home with more info for you!
 
Last edited:
visiting downtown should probably happen when it's light out. just saying lol

www.travelportland.com/things-to-do/neighborhoods-regions/

^^ will tell you about the different districts.

my sister suggests checking out mount tabor and that side of town because there are lots of little shops.

Multnomah falls and Vista house aren't far away from the city either.

idk if you guys are in to sports, but the Portland timbers soccer team, who are the current MLS cup champions, are playing on the 10th. we love them, so that's something we would definitely hit up if we were going to be in town.

the zoo, omsi, pioneer courthouse square, the moda center (where the trailblazers play), providence park (where the timbers play), again, the food carts - there are so many different ones if you're feeling adventurous.

Portland art museum and Oregon history museum aren't far from pioneer courthouse square.

blue fin for sushi, escape from new York pizza on 23rd for great pizza, Papa Hayden for dessert (skip the entrees), screen door or le pigeon (a little spendy but worth it). the waffle window or pine state biscuits for breakfast <--- from my sister who used to live in Portland lol if you can eat and drink your way through Portland, DO IT.
 
I am dredging this up because I AM OFFICIALLY GOING! We booked our flight and hotel today for mid September.
I'll be heading back to Melanie's board and checking things out as we plan our trip!! So super excited!

I live in Portland and have all my life. :) Let me know if you still need info.
 
I live in Portland and have all my life. :) Let me know if you still need info.
what is the traffic like if one were to live in "outskirt" suburbs, but have a job in an office in the middle of down town?
what areas are better schools/neighborhoods than others? any to absolutely avoid?
When we move there, if that's still the case... our kids will be early elementary, and we'd plan to be there to stay for the entirety of their schooling... part of my concern is that we'd end up in a not-so-great neighborhood where they are unsafe, and will not get a decent or well rounded education, because we're "out of towners who don't belong". I know here in AZ (and I assume many places), there are schools I'd shy away from if at all possible. LOL!
 
Portland is brimming with out-of-towners right now so you'll be ok. (mostly Californians) I live in N. Portland which is quickly filling up with hipsters and artists and young families. New houses and apartments are shooting up everywhere.

I live a block away from one of the best elementary schools in Portland, where all my kids went. There are a LOT of problems in Portland schools (major lead scandal right now) but that's true of most places. Most neighborhoods in Portland have selling points but housing prices here have skyrocketed in the last decade. With a family, if I were moving right now, I'd be looking at another house in N. Portland or in SE Portland.

Brett commutes all the way to Tualatin (we live right across the bridge from Downtown) and there is definitely traffic on his way home but it's usually not too horrible.
 
Back
Top