Portland comes in for a lot of accolades. There’s a lot that’s overrated (*cough* Voodoo Doughnuts and Salt & Straw).
But there’s plenty here that lives up to the hype. Local comedian Jay Flewelling, his fellow comedians, and some of your fellow newsletter readers weighed in:
Perfect for Nature Lovers
Many Portlanders live here for easy access to nature. Our mild (if rainy) winters mean there’s a chance to go hiking any time of year. Summers, of course, are peak hiking season — all because we’re so close to beautiful natural areas.
“Do you wanna go to the coast?” asks Flewelling. “Do you wanna go to a desert? Do you want to go to the mountains? The forest? Bonus, the Gorge? We are two hours away from all of those locations. You cannot pick a better spot for an urban environment to get all the nature that you want pumping through your veins. And if two hours is too far, [there’s] Forest Park, a world-renowned park in your backyard.”
PDX, Our Beloved Airport
We in Portland may over-identify with our airport. Our insistence on taking photos of our shoes against the colorful carpet is so very innocently joyful. We often just call our city PDX. And it’s all because the airport is pleasant:
“ What other airport has a free movie theater screening short films, artisan restaurants, the largest wood ceiling ever conceived?” asks Flewelling. “It truly is really good.”
Our Water
Our water tastes good. It’s served up in every flowing bubbler — and we’ve gotten spoiled by what runs through our taps.
“ The Bull Run Reservoir is like no other place filtered by nature,” Flewelling says. “I don't even drink water anywhere else. Pass me a Gatorade or a cold cider.”
Portland Kindness
Portland wouldn’t be Portland without the people who are striving to be nice to just about everyone. It goes beyond politeness.
“People are kind here,” reader Jess J. wrote in. “They look you in the eyes, smile, and actually care how you respond when they ask, ‘How's it going?’ I have lived up and down the West Coast in every major city, and Portland wins on this front every time.”
Our Independent Bookstores
We are a town of people who like to read and our independent bookstores are proof.
“Powell's, Annie Bloom's, Vivienne Culinary Books,” reader Danielle M. wrote in. “So many fantastic independent shops.”
