I've lived in Portland for 12 out of the 18 years of my life, so, over the years, I have grown to love this city. As leaving home quickly approaches, I have begun to think about all the little things I will miss dearly when I no longer call Portland home.
1. The "Rain Scrunch"
If you do not live with a constant down pour, the "rain scrunch" probably is not in your repertoire, but in Portland, the rain scrunch quickly becomes a constant. Essentially, the rain scrunch is the face that one makes when it's raining: eyes halfway open, mouth and nose scrunched together, and head facing down. The rain scrunch takes the place of an umbrella, so tourists become easy to spot.
2. Always having good food
Portland was rated Best Food City in America by the Washington Post. Trust me, that comes with so many perks. Whether your in the mood for Ramen, ice cream, or gourmet grilled cheese, it's easy to find an award winning restaurant. Some of the best food in the city is the most bizarre: eggplant and olive oil ice cream, a burger with grilled cheese buns, Pop Rock sushi, and caskets full of doughnuts.
3. No judgment anywhere
Whether you walk down the street in pajamas, a Santa suit, or a full leather tuxedo no one will think twice (unless it is to take a picture) because as soon as you walk away, a man fully painted blue will walk silently past, minding his own business. This attitude is one which allows anyone to feel free to do and act however they like. Portland is a city where everyone does their own thing and is loved for that.
4. Delicious water
Portland water tastes like what water should taste like: clean, fresh and like water. It can be consumed directly out of the faucet and tastes the same no matter where you are. It is a privilege that is sorely missed outside of Portland because water elsewhere tastes of metal or dirt. Because the water is so good, it is rare that anyone would buy plastic water bottles making different reusable water bottles trendy (hello Hydroflask, Camelback, and Klean Kantene).
5. General Weirdness
Everyone knows the saying "Keep Portland Weird," but you cannot understand what this truly means until you live in Portland. People get excited when they see the Darth Vader, unicycle, bagpipe man or people having hula hoop club practice in the park. In one day, I saw a woman driving down the highway with a chicken in her lap, a woman who told me she was the reincarnation of Mother Earth, and a man walking his three cats through the city. It's this weirdness that makes Portland Portland and makes it one of the most interesting places to live.
6. Access to any and all types of terrain
In the mood for skiing? The mountain is an hour and a half away. The beach? Also and hour and a half. Desert? Three hours. Country side and farmland? Thirty minutes.
7. Portland's friendliness
No matter where you are someone will say hi to you on the street. People greet you when you walk into stores and truly want to know how your day is going. People strike up conversations at concerts, in coffee shops, and on the MAX and you can't help but feel as if this beautiful city we live in is the best city to live in.
