“A do-it-yourself mentality that inspires locals to pursue artistic projects of their own. Also, environmental sustainability and an overall green ethos. And hipsters. Portland’s flourishing hipster culture is common knowledge. And its wide network of public transit alternatives, emphasis on recycling and composting, and overall green ethos.” 

“The excellent coffee and delicious food, especially seafood and Asian cuisine; the best wine—and it’s where the wine tour of the Willamette Valley begins. And liberal culture is the backbone of Portland’s identity. The greenery is relaxing and rejuvenating for a few hours or days. I always leave feeling relaxed and caffeinated.”

“Portland is known for its willingness to buck a trend. There’s also coffee, beer, food, outdoors, counterculture, and its commitment to creativity, diversity, and sustainability—but it’s an independent spirit that’s fueling all that. It has something to offer everyone and is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. 

“Portland is misunderstood, lumped into the doom loop of bad news. Yes, it’s pockmarked by problems, but to me it’s a place where it’s OK to be yourself; your quirkiness is celebrated. It means there’s still a place where the pace is a bit slower and kinder, but shit still gets done. I associate it with strip clubs, fancy doughnuts, people who still read actual books, craft beers, and tatted-up folks who like to crochet.” 

“Nationally it’s viewed as a kinda dystopian society, with a whole bunch of shit going on that we’re doing nothing about. The riots and protests on the news—it’s not like that. But it’s changing. The homeless and drug issues always have been around, but the level is different now. It was more community driven. Community centers were a big part of my growing up. Now it’s a lot more disjointed. People mind their business more—it’s not a lot of unity.” 

“What the city means to me is community and the chance to follow your passion and turn hobbies into creative endeavors. For me that’s cooking and pursuing food writing and recipe development. It’s a very foodie city, and people are aware of that—I think it can get to a New York level. It’s all eclecticness, hole-in-the-wall hidden treasures, and just a lot of cool things to experience.”

“This city is neighborhoods and nature existing harmoniously, and it means the world to me: I’ve cultivated my business and community here. Internationally, Portland represents the American dream of whimsical, radical independence, as well as the difficulties in providing care to people. Oh, and sneakers. Portland is very much a sneaker city.”

“It’s home. Just like my house, some parts I show off more. It’s the city that raised me to believe I am capable of so much and have a huge community supporting me. Nationally, Portland represents a falling star. We used to make news for food carts and film; now many stories are about houselessness, crime, drug use. Also, we’re not that major: no MLB or NFL, venues close early. But we’re a cool urban nature jungle.

“The image and scent of the big forest—unique for a city. My husband and I are from Italy, and we moved our winemaking business here thanks to the richness of the soil. We associate the city with energy, culture, and technology. It’s also incredibly deep in natural resources and communities keen to share their knowledge with others.”

“It’s a city plucked from the pages of a science fiction novel, a futuristic gem that the rest of the world has yet to fully understand. It’s a hub of adventures, from surfing to skiing to hikes, but what really stands out to me is its unwavering commitment to welcoming and embracing individuality. It also has an endearing underdog quality: you can’t help but find yourself in its corner.”