Moving to a new city is a big decision. It’s important to be aware of some of the city’s rules, quirks, weather, and stances on important topics. Here are 21 Things You Should Know before Moving to Portland so that you can help “Keep Portland Weird”.
21. Recycling/Compost is a Big Deal
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Get ready to separate your bottles and cans into bins and prepare to learn how to compost. Your neighbors won’t be impressed if they find a pop can or banana peel in your trash. You’ve been warned.
20. Water is a Hot Topic
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Water has become a serious topic of conversation between the people in Portland. Mainly, there’s a divide between the people who believe there should be fluoride in the water versus the people who think the water should remain clear of the stuff. Regardless of your stance of the subject, you’ll hear a lot of complaining from both sides.
19. The Music Scene is Pretty Wicked
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Portland takes their music very seriously, and most of the city’s population is made up of very talented individuals. Some of the best indie bands got their start in Portland; The Shins, The Dandy Warhols, The Decemberists, Stars of Track and Field, The Thermals, Elliott Smith, Laura Veirs, and Carrie Brownstein. To name a few.
18. Get Used to the Drizzle
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It’s no secret that it rains a lot in Portland. But how much precipitation the city gets may surprise you. It’s usually rains for around nine months of the year. The sky may be grey but at least the grass is green! It also only snows a few days out of the year.
17. You Won’t See a Ton of Umbrellas
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The funny thing about the constant rainfall is that you won’t see a lot of umbrellas. Why not? The people of Portland just don’t use them. The rain isn’t as heavy as the rain which is experienced in other parts of the country. It’s more of a constant drizzle.
16. The City is Super Dog-Friendly
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In Portland, you’ll find a dog-park on what seems like every street corner. There’s 1 per neighborhood, and 33 off-leash parks within the city. Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops are usually very welcoming of pets as well, you’ll see many dogs hanging out on patios with their owners.
15. Gluten-Free Options Galore
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Portland is a haven for the gluten-free foodie. Most restaurants have many menu gluten-free options or cancel out gluten altogether. Not to mention the gluten-free food fairs and the specialty made gluten-free vodka.
14. Informal Attire is The Norm
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Most people in Portland look like they’re ready to go on a hike. That’s because the dress code in the city is pretty relaxed. You won’t find many people dressed in formal attire. This allows people to feel more comfortable wearing whatever they want, or not wearing anything at all.
13. Be Ready to Buy Local
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It’s a big deal to buy your produce and meats locally in Portland. There are many markets, farms, and coffee shops that sell items foraged, found, made, or raised in the city. You won’t see many chain restaurants or grocery stores.
12. You’ll be Living Next to a Volcano
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If you live in Portland, you’re in a fifty-mile radius of an 11,000-foot-tall volcano named Mount Tabor that could erupt at any time. The last eruption happened in the 1790’s, and in the mid-1800’s, some minor explosive activity was reported. Although, it does make for a beautiful view from your office window.
11. No Sales Tax
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Salaries are a lot lower in Portland than other major cities on the west coast such as Seattle or San Francisco(indeed.com). However, the government tries to make up for that fact by assuring there is no sales tax on items. The price you see on the tag is the price you pay.
10. Cycling is Very Popular
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Biking is so popular in Portland because it is so difficult to find parking in the city. Also, pumping your own gas can result in a $500 fine, so it’s best to stay away from vehicles in general. There are more bicyclists per capita in Portland than any other city in the United States.
9. Expect to Hit Traffic
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Parking and gas pumping fines aside, the worst part of owning a car in Portland is definitely the heavy traffic. Even though many people bike, there are still a lot of cars on the road. With vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, the city can get pretty congested.
8. It’s Okay to Get Creative With Facial Hair
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You’d be hard pressed to find a Portland dweller that is clean-shaven. Facial hair has become one of the city’s defining characteristics. So much so, that they’ve created the Stumptown Stash & Beard Collective, the Beautiful Bearded Lady Competition, and the Portland Mustache & Beard Club.
7. Brewpubs and Microbrews
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Good news for beer drinkers, Portland has more brewpubs and microbrews than any other city in the United States. So it’s safe to say you’ll have another one, more than once.
6. Restaurants and Movie Theaters are in Abundance
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Portland also has the most restaurants and movie theaters per capita in the U.S. So you’ll never run out of date spots.
5. Views on Religion and Politics
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It’s important to know that Portland is not a religious place. In fact, it’s the least religious city in America. They do, however, have a 24 Hour Church of Elvis. It’s also a place of extremely progressive politics. Portland relies on the two-party system, the Democratic Party and the Green Party.
4. You’re Now a Member of The Timbers Army
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The people in Portland are obsessed with sports. Oddly enough, seeing as how there is no National Football League team or Major League Baseball franchise in the city. There is, however, MLS’ Portland Timbers and the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers. People love to dress up and cheer on their home team.
3. The City is Nicknamed, “Stumptown”
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If you’re planning on moving to Portland, you should probably know the city’s nickname, “Stumptown”. Why? The city grew so quickly back in the day that roads were filled with tree stumps. Now Portland even has a third wave coffee company affectionately called Stumptown Coffee Roasters.
2. Nudity is Celebrated (On Certain Days)
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Portland may not be the place for you if you don’t like to strip down to your birthday suit. There’s an annual naked bike ride, and the city has even ben given the name Naked City USA. You can bike around naked all you want, but make sure you wear a helmet, it’s illegal not to. Also, check out the bare bowling event, hosted at a nudist club in the city.
1. You’re Moving to the Coffee Center of America
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Portland is a mecca of great artisanal coffee. So much so, that caffeine has become part of the city’s cultural make up. There are over forty coffee roasters within the city limits, the city has three national coffee magazines, and Portland’s baristas even win awards. If you’re a tea drinker, you may not feel as though you’re truly a part of this buzzing community.
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