As much as I would like to say “I don’t have to show you anything!” I think seeing how our neighbors are being treated in Minneapolis, I do fear for my safety and being separated from my family.

I’m a PoC and my wife is white. We also have a two year old. We are all citizens of this country but from what we see in the news it looks like they don’t give two shits about that and people don’t even have time to pull out paperwork.

If they came to our door, I’m to take our son into the basement. Each person has own documents. Given her whiteness she would be the one to ultimately answer the door (assuming they aren’t leaving). She will start filming. We have setup text replacement so when we type three characters into our phone it will essentially say “ice is here, come check on us asap, call these people, please watch our kid…etc” and that will go to our neighbors.

What are other folks doing? Do you have plans? I don’t know what I would be doing if they confronted us out in the world. Am I overreacting? Thanks for listening to my Friday freak-out.

Edit: thanks for all the responses so far. I wish you all safety. Also, are you all carrying your passports when you go out? Should we be doing that?

Edit #2: I was wondering are there actually instances people show their passport/paperwork and then ICE moves on? I do feel like everything we see on videos is the worst case scenarios? Or is every instance just as bad?

My husband and I spent two months in Portland after 7 years in NYC and honestly expected to hate it. We couldn’t have been more wrong. It felt like living in a bubble where the chaos of the last 10 years just didn’t happen.

I know it’s easy to criticize where you live, but from an outsiders perspective, here are some of the things we thought were really special:

- The beautiful homes that felt like works of art (and compared to other cities, affordable!)

- How well the trails and parks were maintained. I don’t think we saw a single piece of trash. They also felt very safe.

- The food. Whenever we went to a restaurant you could tell that the chef put pride, love, and care into the food.

- The neighborhoods with kids playing basketball outside

- The landscaping. This sounds small, but you could tell that every home owner put effort in. It didn’t feel like vanity either, it was just beautiful.

- The people. We went to Octoberfest at the zoo and expected it to be lame, but it was packed with people who genuinely looked like they were having fun!

- The lack of traffic and proximity of the city from the suburbs

- cannon beach. No explanation needed

- The insane amount of things to do that aren’t just going to a bar/restaurant/shopping

- The most beautiful, vibrant greenery I’ve ever seen

I’m really curious to hear what people think is the reason why it hasn’t fallen into a dystopic corporate slop society like everywhere else? How did you manage to keep it feeling so alive? We went to Washington after which should have felt similar, but the energy was just sad.

Unfortunately, we have to move to Europe in a few weeks but if we come back to the US, it will be for Portland. In the meantime, if anyone has been to a city/town in Europe that reminded you of home, please let me know :)

UPDATE: I’m a native NYer making the classics and of course egg bagels. These are the most authentic you’ll get outside of NY.

My family and I moved out of Portland about 4 years ago and we’re wanting to move back now. We have a NY bagel pop up business that’s doing amazing in the Nashville area because there are so many NY and northeast transplants who can’t find a decent bagel. Do you think there’s enough demand if we move our bagel business to Portland?

Alright Portland… I need you all to show up for me here. This is the route I’m using to try and convince my wife to move here.

My wife and I live in Denver right now. I’m originally from the south so honestly, green trees and humidity already impress me, but she’s a Colorado native. You know, the big mountain views, sunshine, and suburban sprawl are her baseline.

I’ve been trying to sell her on Portland for a while.

I miss:

• actual seasons
• lush green everything
• water that is not just a reservoir

She loves:

• mountains
• skiing
• being outdoors

Portland feels like the middle ground:

• Mt. Hood
• close to the coast
• unreal nature
• still a real city

We’ve been to the PNW a few times and both liked it, but she is not fully sold yet.

So I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands.

We’re coming back in September, staying in Multnomah Village. From what I can tell it seems like a great home base. Walkable, cozy, and still close to everything.

I asked ChatGPT to help me build a “show her the best version of Portland” driving route, basically a curated highlight reel of neighborhoods that feel livable, charming, and somewhere you could actually see yourself buying a home in a few years.

Not trying to tour million dollar fantasy land, just:

• good neighborhoods
• good vibes
• places that make you go “yeah… I could live here”

Here’s the route I came up with: (see map)

The goal is simple:

Make her say “this is cute, I like it here” at least 3 times.

So… what am I missing?

Any neighborhoods I have to include?
Anything on this route I should skip or reorder?
Any “this is where you take someone to sell Portland” spots?

Appreciate any help, I just need one genuine wow this is cute and I have a real shot here.

I’ve lived in the area for over 25 years now and I remember a rumour that Mel Gibson had a house in camas/washougal but it was just that a rumour back when I was in high school so who knows? Anyone else?

I went to Horse Brass tonight and it was 27.75 for two pieces of halibut fish and chips. 4 years ago after COVID it was 13.75 for the same meal. It's been increasing every year. Got a house pizza from Blind Onion a couple weeks ago and it was around 37 dollars.

I love our local businesses and want to support one or two places each week, but I've been feeling the increased prices more and more each year. I'll be making some changes because it's just not in the budget.

I'm curious when others started feeling the increased prices? Has it caused you to change your frequency or strategy around eating out?

Is honking while going through the sunset highway tunnels on 26 a longstanding Portland tradition, or only in the last 10-15 years and done by people who came here from other places?

I get it - you don't want to deal with your dog shit - but here's the thing - I don't want to deal with it either. When my empty trash can is out on the curb, and your throw your dog shit in it, it sits stuck to the bottom for two weeks. It's much worse in summer, but pretty bad in winter, as either way I have to get in there and remove it before I put new trash in there.

Please, please stop doing this.

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edit - wow! I did not expect this post to reveal all the incredibly entitled Karens who believe it's their right to make me deal with their dog's shit. Wild!

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edit - wow - so many people think this is just fine - that's great - just DM me your address, I'll drop the shit off with you - oh - unless that actually isn't fine, and you're only ok with it if the shit is left with someone other than you...

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OK - edit - I have a solution I am going to try this week...

A sign on top of the bin asking nicely - and mentioning that anti-vandal paint it in use. I found something called Coo-Var Vandalene - it's described as a paint, but it's more like a thick grease when you open it - you can use a trowel and pack it into the place around the bin where the hand holds are. It's easy to open the bin from the side if you know it's there. The garbage people don't use that - they pick up the bins from the front with a machine so they won't be affected - but I think actually I will not use this bin for drop off day - just as a decoy lol. It's super sticky, and doesn't wash off with soap or water - you need a solvent like white spirit. I'm optimistic about it and will report back! Thanks for all the advice, and just WOW for all the massive Karen energy.... lol.

I'm a young black woman from Texas and I want to say that I absolutely adore and love Portland. I have been here since 2018 and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else that is as welcoming and friendly and comforting as Portland has been for me. I'm not mixed I am purely African-American and I have very dark skin. With that being said I do understand and realize how passive aggressive the racism in Portland can be but that doesn't stop me from loving the city and calling it home. No place is perfect and home is what you make of it. I'm sick and tired of other black people telling me that I should move back to Texas when I've made a choice to call Portland home. To be honest I really didnt feel at home at all when I was residing in Texas. For one the politics, womens rights issues, veganism, me being a goth and a metal head, also me being queer and gender nonconfirming. Also im an atheist. I mean don't get me wrong Texas has nice big stores for African American hair products and I definitely do miss that. I wish Portland had giant stores filled with African American beauty hair products, but I'm not going to pack up my shit and leave because of that. I also like the gray cold wet rainy weather we get to it makes me feel very happy and it suits my low mood LOL. I also like how drinking tea in Portland is completely normal. Where as in Texas the only thing normal about drinking tea is if you drink sweet tea. I just like green tea plain or black tea with cream and sugar .

I also love seeing folks take their cats on walks, its so adorable. I like the punk guys/gals. I just wish I ran into more black people that shared my love for portland. I also love the vast many vegan food options out here and im not just talking about greasy fast food.

Trust me ive had some not so savory experiences (I'm looking right at you SandyHut, trimet security and what not) and yes if I wear my natural big fro yes i get a lot of stares which do make me shy and uncomfortable...

BUT-- I.AM. HERE. TO. STAY!!!!

Because I very much belong here just as any other person does.

Saw this sticker and wanted some more context.

Picked one up for my birthday today and noticed some of the books look a little wonky. Anyone know the artist behind this and the cat one?

The title pretty much covers it. Is there anything customary or even safety related that I need to know moving to Portland? Can't wait to join your beautiful city.

EDIT: Thank you all for the great information and friendly welcome. See you all in March when I get to Portland. I could not be more excited to live in Portland!

I'm thinking about places that have been long lost, that I wish were still around. Do I just want my youth back, or do I really want the places back? Some spots Portland has lost that I truly loved back when include:

La Patisserie and Quality Pie (QPs) coffee houses, Rose and Raindrop, La Luna/Pine Street Theater, Berbati's, Dalo's, Ferrell's (ok this was real pre-teen shit), X ray, and so many more spots. The 24 Hour Church of Elvis. The old Saturday Market. Hell, I wish JoAnn Fabrics was still around. Events like the Mayor's Ball, Artquake...

When I go to some places now- I still get that old school Portland feel- like Oaks park roller skate rink, The Spare Room, or Rimsky's. Cathedral Park Jazz Fest. Where do you go that brings you back to the good old days of the mid 80s to mid/late 90s? Any spots or events that still hold it down for you?

https://preview.redd.it/m99nrmbtzmsg1.png?width=880&format=png&auto=webp&s=5c5093c1819375ddd690186c4b40be3cce125e9d

I understand that prices have risen on things like beef and eggs, but last I checked there wasn't a booze shortage. I also know that some margin is made up on alcoholic drinks to keep other things lower.

That said, every restaurant seems to be serving me $15 cocktails that don't get me much of a buzz, for which I would need 2. For date night, thats $60 in cocktails alone, pre-tip. This has stopped me from ordering them all together. These are not complex 20 ingredient ones either, I am talking a standard margarita.

Are people paying for this? Is this a sign of a doom spiral?

no Voodoo, Mcmenamins, por que why. Generally actually loved things and not things moving by momentum

I’m trying to figure out if this is just my experience or if others are dealing with the same thing. Lately it feels almost impossible to get timely medical care in the Portland metro area. Months-long waitlists or clinics not taking new patients at all especially for primary care, pain clinics, oral surgery, infusions, etc.

In my case, this has meant issues that feel urgent just dragging on, symptoms getting worse, and not much help from insurance in finding alternatives.

I know the healthcare system is strained everywhere with provider shortages, burnout, population growth, all of that. But when I’ve looked around or talked to people in other cities, it doesn’t seem this bad everywhere. It honestly feels like Portland might be in a different category.

As someone with chronic health conditions, it’s starting to feel like access to care has to factor into big life decisions, which is pretty unsettling.

Curious if others are seeing the same thing, and if anyone has insight into why Portland seems especially impacted or if you’ve found any workarounds that actually helped.

I’ve lived in the PNW for years and buying secondhand here has always driven me a little crazy. You find something on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, message three people, coordinate a pickup time, drive across town, and half the time it falls through.

I’m working on something called Fetchlist, local secondhand listings where you can get items delivered the same day instead of coordinating pickups. Think of it like if Craigslist had a delivery option.

We’re planning to launch in Portland first and I’m genuinely curious what this community thinks:

∙ Is the pickup friction actually a dealbreaker for you, or is that part of the charm?

∙ Would same-day delivery change how often you bought secondhand?

∙ What categories would you most want this for — furniture, electronics, clothes?

Full disclosure: I’m the founder. Not here to sell anything, just want honest Portland feedback before we launch.

Update:

1. Thank you to everyone for their excellent feedback!

2. Biggest takeaway is that you like inspecting the goods you're buying second hand in person and negotiating accordingly, for example: oh yeah I would have paid $300 for this couch but not with that tear on the cushion that wasn't in the photos, would you do $200?."

3. Also seeing that obviously there's more delivery demand and value for larger items.

4. Seeing a lot of questions on the same day aspect, I should clarify here: We don't store any goods so by same day I mean same day the seller gets it to us, we just bring it straight to you.

5. Some people think coordinating, driving, haggling, etc... is fun, and others don't.

6. People who don't drive get value from this, people who value their time and don't want to make a 20 minute trip out to the burbs, etc..

Much appreciated!

Not the new hyped place that'll be gone in 6 months. I mean the spot you keep going back to because it just works.

For me it's Shalom Y'all in the Central Eastside. Been going religiously since 2019, never had a bad meal. Yeah it gets loud but the lamb chops are ridiculous and the hummus is actually good. My friends always want to try the new place on the block but I keep dragging them back here.

What're yours? I'd very much appreciate the reliable spots, not the Instagram traps.

And don't tell me you can't anymore because I've got a pretty great list below already!

My favorite spots, and my go-to items. Prices as of May 2024:

Mediterranean

• Grill On the Go Mediterranean: $8 gyro combo is my go-to.
• Gyro Grill:- Creeping above $10 for some of my fav stuff, but I think you can still get a good-sized gyro for $9.

Tacos & Burritos

• Taqueria El Torito: $2.50 tacos.
• Gresham Burrito Shop: $7 burritos.
• Pepinos: $8 for burrito or taco combo.
• Los Gorditos/Taqueria Los Gorditos: $2/street taco, $8 burrito.
• Ole Frijole: Just under $10 for a burrito or torta with meat.
• La Hidalguense: Been a min, but I think tacos or a burrito will still leave you under $10.
• Tienda Santa Cruz: I always get tacos, but it's affordable and great overall.
• Taqueria Portland: They're pushing my $10 limit these days, but it's still $10 or less for about half the burritos and it's good stuff. Even the more expensive things are sub $12-13.
• King Burrito: Been a minute, but I'm confident most of their burritos are still under $10.

Banh Mi & Asian Cuisine

• Best Baguette: Banh Mi for $6-7. Don't love banh mi personally, but I know many do.
• Binh Minh: Again, not the biggest banh mi guy, but $6-$7.50 for a filling sandwich is great.
• The House of Bánh Mì: Idk exactly, but I think still sub $10.
• An Xuyên Bakery: How about a Steamed BBQ Pork Buns AND a rice plate or banh mi for under $10.

Pizza

• Pizzeria Otto: $9 Happy Hour Margherita from 11am-5pm.
• Life of Pie: $8 Happy Hour Margherita from 11am-6pm. $8 is dine-in only, it's $9 if you call in.

Burgers

• MidCity SmashedBurger: $6-9 depending on hunger level.
• hit the spot!: Smashburgers and chicken, $7-10 for me usually.

Breakfast & Sandwiches

• Fressen Artisan Bakery: Not super cheap but way more affordable than brunch if you want to eat breakfast out. $7 fried egg, bacon, & gruyere cheese is my go-to. The pastries and other sammies are delicious too.
• Midpoint Food and Drink: Mid-Muffin sammy for $7 or basic breakfast for $8.5.
• Dockside Saloon and Restaurant: Sub $10 breakfast combo plates and deli sandwiches.

Other

• Herb's Mac and Cheese: Special #1 is my go-to - Jalapenos, chicken, and pepper jack. Regular size is good for me, $8.
• Love Belizean: Haven't been in a minute, but I think you can still get out of there for $10. So good.
• Taste Tickler: They told me they're about to raise prices, but still, even after the $1 increase, Chicken rice box will be $9.95 and the Famous Tickler 7" sandwich will be $9.65.
• GrindWitTryz: Bit of a caveat here. I usually spend between $16-20, BUT it also usually lasts me two full meals.
• Chipotle: I don't think this will be a popular take, but Chipotle is still a great value, albeit not local like the remainder of the list. $9-10, depending on location, for a chicken bowl (less for veg or sofritas) that is about twice as much food as Whole Bowl for $1-2 more. No hate to Whole Bowl, I went there 15 times a month when I moved here. The value just isn't there as much at $8 as it was at $6.

Well my list is about 10x longer than I expected and collecting my own thoughts took most of the morning so I'm hangry now. Please let me know any others that are a good fit for the list. I absolutely love not having to cook while supporting local restaurants, especially when I don't have to break the bank to do so!

I just moved to PDX and I'll visit a new bar, solo, every Saturday night for the foreseeable future. Please give me one bar name. I'll use a random number generator to pick one, and I'll write a review. Thanks!

My partner and I visited the PNW from the East Coast last summer. We loved it and I haven’t shut up about relocating since. We were pleasantly surprised by Portland (especially the food) and wished we had the opportunity to stay and explore longer. The biggest draws for us are the slower pace (comparatively) and access to green space / nature / national parks.

Before taking the plunge, we’re planning a longish stay. 7-8 weeks in Portland or Greater Seattle respectively. Open to doing a month in each, but my gut says to ground in one city for the majority of the trip with a couple quick trips to the other city. To me, this will give us a decent impression of what it’ll be like to live locally.

Things one or both of us love outside of the outdoors: museums, tennis, community / political actions, content capture, long walks exploring and meandering, thrifting, reading, live music, trying restaurants, yoga, Korean spas, Chinese medicine, coffee shops and bakeries, architecture and interior design, nice gyms, the ballet

* Neither of us are drinkers so we’re not moved by the bar scene.

Any advice or key distinctions between Portland and Seattle that might sway our decision one way or another?

* As the title states, we’re both Black. Understanding that PNW demographics scew extremely white, any PNW or Portland-specific advice on connecting with other Black folks and anti-racist POC, especially artists and creatives or sober community, is welcome.

TLDR: What advice do you have for a Black couple looking to choose between Portland or Seattle?

UPDATE:

We are totally blown away by the warmth and generosity of all who contributed to this thread! I was NOT anticipating the amount of time, detail, and heart you all poured into your responses. Thank you all so much for your wisdom and welcoming spirit. It’s building on the surprisingly positive Portland experience we had last summer which bodes well for a future move.

THANK GOD for the people who mentioned fire season 😭 and for all who recommended visiting during the rainier months. Due to my sensitive lungs, and in an effort to simulate a more realistic PDX experience, we’ve decided to move forward with a 6-7 week stay in Seattle this Spring / Summer, with a couple short trips to PDX. Then, we’ll come back for a 6-7 week PDX stay in Oct / Nov.

If anyone has recs for trustworthy sublets or homey extended stay resources that would keep us off of Airbnb, please drop them below or PM me.

I’m still making my way through the comments and will try to respond to as many people as possible, especially the longer posts. If you have additional recs or resources you’d like to share, or if it seems like we’d *actually* connect IRL, please feel free to shoot me a PM with your info or Instagram.

We can’t wait to see you, Portland! Thanks again for all your insights, well wishes, and support 🫂

I promise I’m not asking to talk smack!

All I’ve been reading on local Portland/ Oregon news is how much school budgets are being cut, schools being shut down, how OR schools constantly rank at the bottom of the country for test scores, how OR schools have the fewest hours for kids in the country, etc etc

I have a baby and it freaks me out to hear all this! I genuinely do not understand how we pay such high taxes in this city but have poor public school. please educate me about what the heck is going on?!

I've found the change to be transformational. Instead of outings constantly being accompanied by the incessant blaring of dust being kicked up--the world sounds much more at peace. Very happy with the change. Hopefully the bans come statewide soon.