Portland Overview | An informative introduction to Portland, Oregon

[@markrios3464]

I think the rose is a great icon for the city. It’s got all the thorns for all the complainers out there. And all the roses that make any city adorable. Having lived here for four years now and having recently returned from the San Francisco Bay area and New York City, all I can say is that I love my coffee here, my sushi , my pizza, and I like that within five minutes I can take a beautiful hike or get to the airport for $2.80. Because to me the thorns here are just more beautiful with the nature surrounding it.

[@BillLaBrie]

You can have a pretty good life in Port Au Prince or Kinshasa, too, if you’re privileged enough to choose the right neighborhood.

[@lorenbowser7681]

Im from Montana but live in the Portland area. Its the best place ive ever lived...We love going into the city its always a fun time when we go there. Great foodie place to be...600+ different food carts and more breweries than any other city in the world.

[@masterchief1342]

what would you say to all the people complaining? about the city degrading. im trying to get a sense of whether or not its worth visiting to potentially move there

[@lorenbowser7681]

@masterchief1342 it's a fairly large city. Portland metro is over 2.5 million. That's more population than 16 different states. All cities that big have their issues. For me and my family we have never felt unsafe or anything here

[@dtla1]

The food scene in PDX really is unmatched. The new "Midtown Beer Garden" which replaced an older food cart pod in Old Town has also been a huge success & I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Downtown 🙂

[@mattropolis99]

Except it's dying. Check out PDXEater - they publish a monthly report of major food places that are now gone.

[@prc789]

Portland was worth visiting as a tourist from the UK. I visited over 20 years ago now (where has the time gone!) And there was plenty to see. It's one of the few plaves I'd like to visit again as it looks better now. Just need to know of the large 2nd hand book shop is still there, wish I coulf remember the name.

[@suprensa4393]

Powell's is indeed still there.

[@prc789]

@@suprensa4393 That's the place, spend a very happy afternoon in there, it was only tat I had to take them on the plane that stopped me buying a load of books.

[@colors6692]

"Just need to know of (sic) the large 2nd hand book shop is still there, wish I coulf (sic) remember the name" Did you not watch the video?

[@mattropolis99]

I have lived here for 20 years, it's nothing like the vibe of the late 90's. In 2024 Portland is the 6th fastest shrinking US city in the US due to crime, terrible education system, and open drug use.

[@suprensa4393]

@@mattropolis99 I was born in the early 2000s and have lived in the Portland Metro Area for the better part of the past two decades and I can confirm that this is absolutely true. Not too mention the fact that the housing stock is so overpriced.

[@laurabagley5]

I always enjoy your overviews! As someone who’s visited Portland often enough, it’s fun seeing this overview!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonasbrothersrockist]

I was born and raised in Vancouver, WA. I've been living in Vancouver my whole life. I've been to Portland, Oregon a lot.

I live about 25 miles southwest of Portland. I keep seeing videos about how terrible it is....but it's not. If you go out looking for nasty things then you can find them but if you go looking for a positive experience, then you can find that too. Great food as well.

[@MarkMay-cr6bv]

Bull. I've spent more time in Portland than I ever cared to and the place has turned into a nightmare and a dumpster fire.

@@MarkMay-cr6bv Well garbage attracts garbage so your impression doesn't surprise me. Like I said you can find the good and the bad. I prefer the good and obviously you prefer the bad. I'm in Portland right now and I see no dumpsters blazing.

[@mattropolis7857]

I live here and there is a reason portland is now the 6th fastest shrinking us city in 2024

@ What reason is that? Portland metro area lost 4 thousand people in the last year where Oregon as a whole lost 16 thousand over the same period. Declining population of 1st world areas is a worldwide phenomena. Politicizing it isn't going to help.

[@mattropolis7857]

Declining population is NOT a 'worldwide phenomenon'. Portland is one of only 6 US metro areas shrinking or seeing no net growth as of 2024. This is a unique Oregon and Portland problem. It was documented by Oregon state demographers as a serious problem and is directly contributing to the predicted $67 million city shortfall for 2025 as high-income earners flee the 2nd highest income tax rate in the country. All of this is a simple google search away from state audit reports if you bother.

[@thomasmcroy1756]

The amount one complains about Portland and the distance they live from downtown is proportionate.

[@mattropolis99]

Lol - wrong. i Live off NW 23rd. Welcome to Oct 2024. Maybe you forgot just the recent fun of just this year? Maybe you forgot that Antifa took over the PSU library, enjoyed destroying it, and attacking police as the left in April 2024? I personally think it's kind of fascist to destroy people's access to books - but whatever. Open air and broad daylight drug use and shitting on sidewalks is everywhere. Go over to NW Burnside MethDonalds on 20th to check it out. Maybe you forgot the numerous road blockades of the interstate and airport by pro-Hamas protesters early this year? Trimet and local bike corridors are very unsafe with numerous people attacked and beaten by folks dangerously mentally ill. Oregon is ranks 49th as the worst states of mental health care. Worse than all southern states. Our school systems lag behind almost all other major cities and states. Don't take my word for it though. Portland has the HIGHEST commercial vacancy rate in the country as companies flee the city. Portland is now the 6th fastest SHRINKING US city in 2024. 22,000 middle income residents have left the city in the last 2 years due to the 2nd highest tax rate in the country. Check out PDXEater if you want to see their monthly report of how many restaurants go out of business or leave every month.

[@mattropolis7857]

Bull - I live in NW 23rd and after 20 years am about to move out. The city went from a magnet for creatives to now the 6th fastest shrinking city in the US in 2024. Antifa is still very alive and actively rioting still by blocking interstates and the airport in early 2024, as well as occupying and destroying the PSU library. I thought fascists were the ones supposed to be burning and blocking access to books.

[@CalebTrask]

​@@mattropolis7857 Don't let the door hit you.

[@mattropolis7857]

@@CalebTrask A declining livability that has driven out 22,000+ people in 3 years isn't something to be proud of. Portland is now the 6th fastest SHRINKING major city in the country in 2024. Behind Detroit. Behind all southern cities even.

[@CalebTrask]

@mattropolis7857 Don't let the door hit you.

[@DreamMonster7]

I moved to Portland from Pheonix in 1998. What a journey it has been. Left in 2021. The most beautiful and best city I have ever lived in! I lived right downtown SW/NW. I miss my Portland... I wish I could come back.

[@SilentCriket]

you can come back. they have banned camping and pushed out all the homeless. if you don't believe me just visit for a day and see how different it is from 2 years ago.

[@turbokid8719]

Yeah lots of vacant spaces around the downtown area

[@mattropolis7857]

@@SilentCriket what city do you live in? Homeless are still everywhere and 2024 had the highest rates of homeless deaths in the streets of the last 10 years

[@andrew_rogers1920]

Enjoyed every your video! I'd like to see next Cheyenne, Wyoming. I reckon it is one of the most overlooked states but one of the most beautiful and "mind refreshing". It would've been nice to get your opinion on it

[@CityGeek]

Thanks so much! And yes I'll definitely do one on Cheyenne at some point. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Ms80Summer]

From NJ & visiting Portland for the 1st time in Feb 2025. Great video! 🤩

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!! Enjoy your trip!

[@jeremoo]

wow actually same lol

[@cristiancarpio1814]

I am here now for a couple days! We tried Voodoo in Seattle but I think "Blue Star" takes the cake on doughnuts!

[@Ms80Summer]

@@cristiancarpio1814 Thanks for the info, imma be sure to check them out! 🤩

[@bromontana8100]

I grew up in Beaverton and left early 2000s. I was the last great generation to see life before social media and The cozy qualm idyllic feeling. Is how I remember the area

[@p-mart4179]

Always love your videos! You do tremendous work. I think you’d get a lot interest and views if you also did longer format videos on cities. I always find myself sad when your videos end up

[@DreamMonster7]

Good honest video.

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!!

[@JerryRigEverything]

Freakin sweet

[@CityGeek]

Thanks!!

[@Altafan21]

JRE! Nice to see you here

[@DonsaiRoadsOfficial]

Portland is a remarkable city. Sad to see the direction it's going

[@CityGeek]

Yeah it's certainly a remarkable city, and hopefully they're able to reverse some of the trends that have been occurring there. Thanks for the comment!

[@weeb9332]

Yes the city has been ruined by gangs, homelessness,tent cities and anarchists

[@gankster9007]

I moved here about 5 years ago. You know the city is going downhill when people who were happy to pay taxes now complain.

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

Damn commies....

[@Azazel2024]

All the way left but don't worry this realtor company will lie about it

[@milt6208]

My wife is from that area. When we are around Portland we get through there as quickly as we can. Personally I always like staying on the coast so I never miss the place.

[@michaelphillips2079]

In the opinions of myself and others, a city's skyline isn't just about height, but also density. Portland has one of the more dense skylines in the country, especially among metros in its size range, and even many that are larger.

[@davidpetersen6694]

Very nice city. I’ve actually been there. If we ever move from Houston it would be to the Portland area. Climate and natural wonders are at your doorstep.

[@CityGeek]

Yeah it’s a beautiful city! Thanks for the comment! I’d been wondering where you went 😉

[@jet9852]

Portland keeps getting better and better!

[@naptime0143]

Nature Wise: yes Politically: Absolutely not

[@jet9852]

@@naptime0143 that’s certainly an opinion that you can have

[@bonnieblood3983]

​@@naptime0143 I totally agree.😢

[@jimwjohnq.public]

Better and better at what?

[@wwbuirkle]

LMFAO

[@FTImjustsayin]

You're missing the really fine looking one year old Ritz-Carlton tower in your video. Plays with daylight like the US Bancorp Tower. Fills in a gap in the skyline as well. Portland has some serious issues, but IS beginning to show signs of improvement.

[@williammckelvey2677]

I'm waiting for Wilmington, Delaware!

[@CityGeek]

It’s on the list 😊

[@LeveyHere]

Interesting as always!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!!

[@jacobbaumgardner3406]

I think a good mention in relation would have been that the original The Old Spaghetti Factory is located in Portland. It’s a fairly important restaurant in the city.

[@logieboy4756]

I respect your opinion but on the other hand the old spaghetti factory is mid and I disrespect your opinion

[@onlinealias622]

I like Portland, but the city really sucks compared to the area around it. The suburbs are great and the mountains and coast are awesome. The food scene is really good though. The job market just isn’t that good, Seattle is far better in that regard. I moved up to Seattle for a high paying tech job which is great with the low taxes in Washington. Maybe someday I’ll move back down to Portland, but it’s easy enough to visit so idk.

[@taylort8674]

The Japanese garden is amazing. So much of Prtland is like visiting the 80s, which is fun.

[@iamaaabir]

Love your videos!

[@CityGeek]

Thank you!!

[@kapononamaste5141]

Is this place worth moving to? Is there jobs? I’m trying to visit before deciding or is there somewhere similar that’s not expensive?

[@mattropolis99]

Dear god no. I've lived here since the late 90's and it's the 6th fastest shrinking city in the US for a reason. Our commercial vacancy rate is the highest in the country due to so many companies leave. Highest in the country. Worse than Detroit. You can see it by all the 'for lease' signs downtown everywhere. We also have some of the highest rent burdens in the country as well as peak Portland ended in 2022 and rents haven't adjusted. The state's 2 largest employers Nike and Intel have just completed massive layoffs in 2024.

[@kapononamaste5141]

@@mattropolis99 What about Vancouver Washington? I noticed that it was cheaper in Portland that was my interest on top of having to visit. i’m in socal and it’s overpriced on top of overpopulated.

[@pacmanc8103]

@@mattropolis99Just leave and stop whining. Life is too short.

[@NewsNow_2050]

Milwaukee has a way taller skyline than Portland and Nashville the couture just was built and also there is another 650 feet sky scrapper being built where the Marcus center parking garage is located

[@bzx7200]

Thank you. but when you talk about a city its not only the big things. How is the weather? How are the people ? , the jods ? , the life style ? the crime rate? Is this city safe at night? Is this a city for familys or more for singles?

[@colors6692]

Can't believe you left out the extensive tram system the city enjoys!! Boggles the mind!

[@chrisbowman1367]

The public transit system is filthy and unsafe.

[@onlinealias622]

My buddy recently took the train back into town from the airport and a homeless guy peed on the floor next to him and the train operator did nothing

[@mattropolis99]

'extensive'? Dude - there are 2 trams and you can literally outwalk them. I can walk from Powells on burnside to NW 23rd faster than the tram - and lack of enforcement means you get to share it with dangerously mentally ill people carrying bags of cans/shopping carts of trash. There's a reason Portland is the 6th fastest shrinking US city in 2024 with over 22,000 people leaving last 2 years alone.

[@pacmanc8103]

@@chrisbowman1367Cut the crap, fool.

[@pacmanc8103]

@@mattropolis99You’re an idiot. He’s referring to Max.

[@tinapolley9073]

My city. It's really boring to live here and expensive. I was born here and really like the west side now rather then the east side of the bridge.

[@tavitafish]

Someday i dream of a Portland where people dont have to live on the streets. But its still a beautiful city and i still love it.

[@scottduke2809]

I live in Miami, FL and we have both Voodoo Donuts and Salt&Straw… both are ‘meh’

[@mmilestones]

When I was there, they called it the pink tower of power.

[@heatherpayne1995]

That's what the radio station that broadcasts from there calls it. Most people call it Big Pink.

[@mmilestones]

@@heatherpayne1995 Now I get it-- that's why they said tower of power. I was very young i never connected the radio station with the building.

[@josephederer6671]

The birdpooh on Vera Katz statue on eastbank esplanade says everything i wish i could.

[@pacmanc8103]

Troll

[@Shotgunn09]

You should do Prince George, British Columbia

[@erichenriksbo3379]

“Come for the weirdness, stay for the human waste”

[@warrensmith7468]

Do Chicago

[@SilentCriket]

WRONG. lived here my whole life. When you judge by skyline because there aren't really tall buildings??? then say next breathe beautiful surroundings? that is on purpose. we have laws limiting the height of skyscrapers to not block our view of surrounding beauty.

[@rumham7130]

It has some good spots, but it looks run down now and kind of smells weird. Really hoping this city becomes great again soon. 🙏

[@Bobbysworld22]

With keeping the “weird theme” you should do Austin next since the slogan there is “Keep Austin weird”

[@debbieannsmith8962]

Isn't Portland OR a horrible place to visit now....? 🤨🤔🧐

[@gogagurckaya18]

😍

[@jeremynkelley]

A BEAUTIFUL city. The news makes it look bad all over. That’s not true. 90% of it is wonderful 🌲💙

[@mattropolis99]

Except for business - which has the highest commercial vacancy in the country in 2024. Or the fact Portland is now the 6th fastest shrinking US city in 2024 as 22,000 people have left the last 2 years. Maybe due to the 2nd highest tax rate in the country, legal open drug use, antifa riots that just protested Hillary Clinton's visit in Oct 2024/PSU library destruction, etc, etc, etc. I've lived here since the 90's and Portland is a disaster. I'm moving elsewhere by 2025.

[@pacmanc8103]

@@mattropolis99Keep on repeating your nonsense. You could have moved a decade ago but didn’t (from NW 23rd - a complete lie). No one takes your BS seriously.

[@StarkyLife]

Well I live 30min east of Portland and it’s a dump. I own my own company, and 90% of my customers tell me that they avoid Portland at all costs. You can pretty much expect any metropolitan area in the country to be a dump. That’s where the lazy people live.

[@kennethburton9165]

I used to love Portland, today it's a dumpster fire where those that can leave are doing so.

[@droo714]

I was born & raised in Portland. I have seen the city spiral into a toxic heap due to its far left politics.

[@abomarsyr103]

I like how people say Portland has been bad for the last four years. It’s always been like that, and it’ll always be like that. It just got popular with covid.

[@onlinealias622]

It’s worse than it’s been historically, but it does seem to be improving lately.

[@joeygibson6428]

I think it got popular about 2 years before covid when they had masked armies trying to kill people for their speech.

[@mattropolis99]

No - it's not 'always been like that'. I've lived here since the 90's and it is 100% worse than it ever was. It's downright dangerous now in ways it never was even during the heroin epidemic of the early 2000's. I'm looking to be moved out by the end of this year. Goodbye Oregon. There's much better places to live in the world than here.

[@pacmanc8103]

@@mattropolis99You’re ‘looking’ to move out. Seriously?😂

[@SomeBurgerMan]

Pandemic fucked us over :(

[@mattropolis99]

Local politicans fucked us over. Utter incompetence and corruption abound. JVP and Multnomah county leadership has been a complete and utter disaster. Hundreds of millions in homeless funds sit being squandered and dumped on private non-profits that just disappear with the money.

[@Pork_Knuckle]

So happy to have moved out of that terrible city.

[@pacmanc8103]

You’ve never been there.

[@Pork_Knuckle]

@@pacmanc8103 You are cute when you mad.

[@MTHEGAMER35]

wait a minute dame time lived here like wtf this is ass cheeks

[@jimwjohnq.public]

Nobody with any kind of common sense goes into downtown Portland after dark.

[@mattropolis99]

Definitely not Chinatown in 2024

[@solar_warden81]

I walked all over the place after dark. Old Town, Tom McCall park. I’m perfectly fine lol

[@heatherpayne1995]

It's fine.

[@Bruno-pl7lq]

Portland is super gay city.

[@NCbassfishing24]

Come on man, even most Republicans have given up on that line of attack. If you're gonna troll KZbin city vids with right-wing talking points, at least use up-to-date dogwhistles like "full of zombies," "sanctuary city," etc.

[@mattropolis99]

@@NCbassfishing24 He's not wrong - it has one of the highest lesbian populations in the country. It IS super gay here.

[@pacmanc8103]

@@mattropolis99More right wing BS. Just leave - of course, you’re going nowhere.

[@heatherpayne1995]

So? We have a vibrant queer community. How is that a negative?

[@Azazel2024]

Unfortunately yes. It had a monkey pox outbreak 🤣

[@NatureConnection-zn4jw]

Seattle metro much nicer!!

[@weeb9332]

Get a clue. The beautiful city that was, is NO MORE!!!!! The beauty that was downtown is now broken down, boarded up, and full of gang graffiti. If you never visited in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s you will never know the degeneration that now exists. I left and would never go back. Many die-hard Portlanders I know have been forced to leave the city they thought they would grow old and die in due to uncontrolled homelessness and tent cities. Gang violence has always been a hallmark of the city and continues to be so. Portland is no longer family friendly but has taken it’s weird moniker to a whole different level

[@kevinandrew_]

As an outsider who's visited Portland a few times over the last 7 years and also travels around North America often, I'll agree with you that it's gotten worse, I'll never disagree with you or argue that point. That being said, Portland isn't the only city that got worse after the pandemic. All the issues you named are also problems in pretty much any metro area over 2-300k, and most of them don't get the benefit of being located between the coast and the mountains, while also having a city where even all the areas outside of downtown are designed to be decently walkable for your basic essentials. Source: My hometown of 850k people has all the same problems and is in the middle of absolutely nowhere, flat as hell as far as the eye can see

[@jayys26]

Relax

[@lukebandy516]

@kevinandrew_ Did your hometown also legalize all hard drugs ? While most had riots in 2020, Portland had them nightly for almost 9 months straight ! Does your city have a ban on police pursuits and free needle exchange program?

[@davidwaVR]

It's called the Detroit 2.0 makeover it's when you get rid of your grandparents Democrat and you adopt the new version. It's almost like having the Joker take over your city😂

[@bjornloken8299]

Yeah downtown Portland has seen better days. I wouldn’t recommend visiting the city unless you live reasonably close and have nothing better to do

[@codename7000]

Its one of the worst now in the country very unsafe

[@priscillafranklin5633]

I lived there for 50 years. I could no longer stand to watch the decline. I left in 2021. 💔

[@williammoore27]

Portland can just include so many supertall skyscrapers after New York City, Las Vegas & Los Angeles!🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🏗🏗🏗🏗🏗🏗🏙🏙🏙🏙🏙🏙

[@Youtubesucks-w9e]

20 years ago I went to Portland for a week with my new bride. We considered living there because I loved it, but life happened. I went back last year. My son had to walk around human feces in the sidewalk several times and the homelessness and drugs were massively out of control. It was gross and very dangerous. There is no way I could consider living there any more. It's a shame, because it was beautiful.