What’s it like to live in Portland?
People come to Portland with all sorts of ideas of what to expect - a hipster oasis, a foodie’s dream, a protester’s paradise, a coffee connoisseur’s mecca, and so many more. But the truth is, Portland can be whatever you want it to be.
Are you an outdoor person, always looking for new places to explore? Explore Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the country with over 80 miles of trails. If you want to explore farther afield, hop in the car and head out to the Gorge where you can find hikes of every difficulty level. Don’t miss out on getting some insanely delicious soft serve at Sugarpine Drive In on the way home.
Do you love the arts? Enjoy a play by Portland’s largest theater company, Portland Center Stage in their one of a kind venue in the Armory (first built in 1891). See the Oregon Symphony perform either your favorite piece or play the soundtrack to your favorite movie, all in the breathtaking setting of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Or pop into the Portland Art Museum to see one of the canvasses of Monet’s Water Lilies. Explore one of the many monthly art street fairs all over the city to check out its thriving art scene.
Or do you have kids to show around town? Many of Portland’s favorite restaurants have kids play areas (Deschutes Brewery, Mother’s Bistro, Buronko), and close to all of those restaurants is Jamison Square, a favorite place for playing in the fountain on a hot day. Or if it’s raining (as it does quite frequently), explore the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry with the IMAX theater, planetarium, rotating exhibits, and their submarine, the USS Blueback.
Do you love to try inventive foods pulling inspiration from all over the world? You can try out Haitian food from award winning chef Gregory Gordet at his restaurant Kann, some of the most innovative ice cream you will ever see from Salt and Straw (be sure to check out their monthly specials), the 2025 James Beard award winner for outstanding bakery, Jinju Patisserie, or one of dozens of food cart pods. With new restaurants opening all the time, there is always somewhere new to explore or an old favorite to revisit.
As the West Coast's smallest big city, Portland avoids a lot of the headaches that come with its larger counterparts while still having all of the amenities of a larger city. Its size allows for more experimentation on several fronts, and the community’s willingness to try new things means Portland is always pushing the envelope.