Moving to Portland, OR

[CharacterIV]

Hey all, I recently accepted a new position with a company in Portland, Oregon. I've never been there, but everyone I've talked to who has had nothing but good things to say. I'd love to get some feedback from anyone on here who's lived there, traveled there, visited relatives or friends there, or whatever.

I'm looking for a nice, affordable 2 bedroom apartment. What neighborhoods should I look in or avoid? My work is going to be in Northeast Portland, so I'd like to stay within a short commute.

Any recommendations for activities? I know it's a very outdoorsy sort of joint, but I've never been huge into hiking, biking or anything like that. I'll do all that once, just so I can say I did, but I'm more focused on the arts and music scene. I'm also a tabletop RPG/strategy gamer, so if anybody knows any good venues, that'd be appreciated.

Lastly, as fits the nature of this forum, where do I need to go to eat, drink and be merry? Good bars, must-hit restaurants? I know the city has a proliferation of microbreweries, so that'll be fun.

Any input would be really appreciated. Thanks much.

[gotribe31]

I was honestly a little afraid this thread was about the Indians when I clicked on it.

I've only been to Portland once. Voodoo Donut has really good coffee. If you like smoking pot, you'll love Portland. People literaly just sit out on the street and do it. In addition to the microbrews, I hear the wineries in the area are good, but I didn't have a chance to partake.

[CharacterIV]

Maybe I should have clarified exactly who was moving to Portland in the thread title. I'd heard about the appreciation of pot in the city. It's not really my thing. I don't give people a hard time if they want to do it, but it's never really been for me.

[FUDU]

Doesn't Portland have one of those cool electric transportation systems in place?

[jb]

Good mixed use downtown and great public train system. Lots of redeveloped warehouse archetcture. Wierd homeless looking teens around though.

[Larvell Blanks]

Enough of a reason to move out there, these guys will ROCK Portland....

[Spin]

If you can stomach the MLS, you'll love Portland.

[pup]

If you can stomach the MLS, you'll love Portland.

Isn't that where your coach bailed on you for?

[Spin]

If you can stomach the MLS, you'll love Portland.

Isn't that where your coach bailed on you for?

That be it.

[peeker643]

If you can stomach the MLS, you'll love Portland.

Or women's soccer. That's where Megan Rapino and Christy Sinclair played as well.

But a healthy love of soccer would help

[CharacterIV]

Soccer, eh? Not really my thing.

I kinda wonder what the rooting scene will be like for the other, major sports, beyond the Blazers, of course. I figure a healthy dose of Seattle fans, maybe some fans of the San Francisco/Oakland teams.