I recently journeyed to the Northwest US of A in search of crude donuts, bigfoot, piles of books, and vegan treats out the wazoo. I landed right smack in the middle of Portland, Oregon, which I will now refer to as “heaven”. Portland itself is a decent city; the surrounding vistas are gorgeous and the weather is fair. However, what really makes Portland spectacular is it’s people. The book reading, incredibly nice, totally weird people. In a nutshell, here are the specific things I love about these fine, fine creatures.

They Read
Books are king in Portland! The gratuitous coffee shops provide the perfect breeding ground for readers to spend their days sipping Stumptown Coffee and getting lost in their favorite used paperback. Portland is also home to the largest independent bookstore in the world! Powell’s Bookstore is a wet dream for any bibliophile looking to spend a day (or week) immersed in new, used and rare books. Along with Powell’s, there are many other thriving used bookstores tucked into the city.
Portland also seems to be overflowing with writers. There are tons of organizations and events for aspiring writers. Self published zines are also quite popular and are so abundant they warrant their own stores!

They’re Sexy
Portlanders are in shape. This may have to do with the abundance of outdoor activities available in the immediate area, or the fact that over a quarter of the population gets around via bike or walking. They also have style! Considering that it rains a good chunk of the year, I would describe the style as “functional chic”.  I  never imagined people would look so good riding a bike through a soggy and cold city!

They Value Service
The city is overflowing with happy, knowledgeable, fast and friendly customer service. Everyone from shop owners to waitresses to bus drivers, generally love to give proper attention to everyone they encounter. Why? I think it may have to do with the pride everyone has in what they are doing. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that the minimum wage in Portland is close to $9, and people in the service industry get that plus tips! The cost of living is also incredibly cheap in Portland – as far as a city is concerned. AND there is no sales tax in Oregon.

They are Self Sufficient
Small local businesses reign supreme in Stumptown. With all of the independent businesses, corporate entities easily get squeezed out. Boutiques carry clothing and jewelry from local designers. Coffee shops serve only Stumptown Coffee and baked goods from local bakeries. There seems to be less competition and more support between businesses and individuals.  It was a refreshing change from the cutthroat atmosphere of the Northeast.

They are Soooo Nice
The people of Portland are nice. Genuinely nice.

They Love the Earth
Portland has a serious commitment to being green. only a small faction of the locals drive cars. And why would they? The public transit system is out of of this world and completely bio-fueled, and there are bike lanes and racks everywhere.  Eateries typically avoid disposable serving-wear as much as possible. Plastic bags are virtually obsolete.  There is also a huge push for eating locally and sustainably. Co-ops and farmers markets are everywhere and “urban-farms” are becoming quite trendy. Portland is also crawling with vintage shops and warehouses loaded with used goods, making recycled living cheap and easy.  Most importantly, a good portion of the town’s occupants are vegetarian or vegan!

They are Slow and Simple
I mean this in the best way possible. The Slow Movement is evident in many aspects of life in Portland. Menu selections are simple, and the dress is practical. Everyone seems to be mindful with daily activities. They take their time eating. They hang out. I don’t think I saw one person in a hurry during my whole stay.

They Value Life
Everyone in Portland is there because they want to be. The way of life is quite different than other major cities in the world. Locals don’t peacock their possessions, or try to make six figures a year by working 12 hour days.  Everyone seems to be doing what they truly love, and enjoying the finer things in life (like books and coffee!).

They are Good Parents
I’m not sure if this is a phenomena just in the Northeast, but I regularly see parents who are either yelling at, correcting, belittling, or over-coddling their children. I did not see this once in Portland. Here, children are cherished, nurtured and given room to be independent spirits. It was quite refreshing and gave me hope.

They are Weird
The motto “Keep Portland Weird” is touted throughout the city. And weird it is! From random kitschy shops to its eccentric locals, Portland is definitely a little strange but not ostentatiously so. The locals are not weird just for weird’s sake, they seem to be naturally just a little off. I guess “independent” would be a better term. Either way, it adds to the dynamic of the city and is the proverbial cherry on top of this wonderful place!

*To learn more about being vegan in Portland check out my other blog.*