Portland

[Waco]

I just spent a week there, and fell in love with the big hippie urban sprawl.

What's not to like? Besides all the vagrants, transients, and tweakers, of course.

Dellamorte? Big Black? Anyone else?

[Blofeld]

Portland is one of my favorite cities. I worked at a rep theatre there for a show back in ... gosh ... '87?

Powell's Bookstore was a daily affair. There were some great restaurants I frequented, and some good times had in the city.

[Kronos]

Ironically, I just got home from a Rivercats/Beavers game that only lasted 7 innings!

Sacramento 9
Portland 3

No post-season for either so Portland called it quits early.

K2 had a great time.

[Kid Ego]

I've never been to Portland. I long-distance dated a girl for a while from Corvalis, but I never made it up there. Damn. What a waste.

[Kronos]

Long distance dated?
Never got up there?

If you never got up there I'll bet you never got up there.

[Andre Dellamorte]

As a long time resident, I love this town. The dowtown area isn't too overwhelming, but there's so many great intresting neighborhoods, with the NW and SE areas loaded with buttery goodness.

I haven't had any major problems with the town at all, though the weather can be a bummer if you're not used to four seasons. Are you thinking of moving? What do you want to know? And if you come back for shits and giggles, perhaps we can have a three person CHUDPORT.

[Waco]

Yeah, I am definately considering moving - resume is already up to date and in the hands of the one friend I have up there, who also happens to work in IT. I was actually hoping I'd fall in love with the place, since I've been contemplating making a big change.

4 seasons a bummer? I love the idea. I still have to figure out the quadrants, I'm not sure where are the cool little places I saw were at.

Charlotte is a great place to raise kids. Not sure why it took me so long to figure out why I'm so bored here.

Anything interesting or relevant would be cool to know. Like I said, I have one friend who lives there, and my brother lives there as well (fancy chef at the Portland City Grill), so I have a few places to get info from. Any words of a wisdom from a Chewer are greatly appreciated :)

[Andre Dellamorte]

NW - way pricey (especially the Pearl Disctrict), and a bit fancy shmancy, but still, mellow and nice walking distance. Best theater: Cinema 21 Best Rental store: Trilogy Best bar: I'm going to give the edge to the Matador (if you like Dive bars)

Downtown: good area, glad I don't live there. Parking can be a bother (but it's not too bad) if you're working there, hopefully you'll get a parking spot, but public transit is very effective as well. Best Theater: Fox Tower. Best Rental Store: N/A Best Bar: The Virginia Cafe (if you like Dives)

NE: There are a couple trouble pockets still (ask Big Black) but for the most part they has been improved. Lots of nice areas for sure (many as expensive as it gets). Best Theater: Lloyd Center (don't go to the mall theater) Best Rental: N/A Best Bar: the Moon and Sixpence

SE: Where I live, there are a bunch of cool districts, and its probably my favortie section of town. I live off of Hawthorne (and am moving to another place off of Hawthorne), so I'm probably biased. Of course the further you go out, the more WT it gets, but there's also the Woodstock area which also kicks hiney (if I didn't find the place I'm taking, then I would have shot for here) Best Theater: Bagdad (the beer and a movie location of choice) Best Rental store: Movie Madness (Portland's best; I used to work there, but it's still the best) Best Bar: The Horse Bar Pub or the Triple Nickle.

SW: Mostly Burbish. Better for families than single men such as myself. The West Hills are pricey (actually Everclear referenced them in one of their songs) but the rest is backroads madness. A lot of this area was supposed to take off for families and stuff, but I don't think the area had the population explosion it was expecting, as such much of this area isn't as bad as it should be. Best Rental, theater and Pub: are you kidding me?

The Subs: Clackmas, Gresham, Lake Oswego (or as it is nicknamed by snotty kids and some of its residence, Lake No-negro), Milwaukie, etc. I don't know as much about (though I've spent some time in Miliwaukie, and it's not bad).

[Big Black]

I've been here for about 4.5 years and totally dig it. I live in NE which is often considered to be on the wrong side of the tracks but I friggin' love the place to pieces. There's lots of great food in this town, some really good indie theaters, bars, music venues, comic shops and probably the best DVD/video shop you'll ever run into. Blofeld mentioned Powell's books because it's a phenomenal book store that beats the pants off any other I've ever ventured in - totally a note-worthy feature of the city and a big factor of downtown's coolness for me.

I do IT work here as well at a local ISP and if the area has a down-side, it's that the job market for that kind of work is currently pretty sucky with the economy we're in; if you have an inside track on IT work, exploit the hell out of it because there really are some great companies to work for out here.

Hippies are plentiful, as are punk-rockers, freaks and the like - especially in the NE/SE parts of town. If there's not enough long hair and patchouli(sp?) in the city, you can hop on I-5 and head south for 2 hours and hit Eugene, which is essentially the NW's little-Berkeley. In the end, the weed is pretty fantastic all over the state if you smoke.

I love this place. The pace of the city is nice and relaxed, it's also affordable and for the most part, Cleaner than other cities its size. The natural beauty of the areas immediately outside town(Columbia Gorge, Mt. Hood etc.) are a big selling point and are really, really tough to beat if you're into the outdoors - you're also only a couple hours from the coast, which is cold, but fucking stellar in the looks department. The city is loaded with parks and bike paths, and downtown Portland is kind of small, but beautiful.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend living here to anyone, and can't say enough good stuff about it. Be sure to let us know if you're heading out this way to scout it out again so we can hook up with you!

[Waco]

Thanks for the updates, guys, I knew I could count on ya!

My brother lives downtown, and we spent a bit of time in the Hawthorne area, as well as 23rd ave. Three Door Down Cafe has some good chow (and a nice wine menu).

We'll see - right now I'm just getting started on the hunt, but I'll definately let you all know if I'll be in town. Sooner rather than later, hopefully.

Oh yeah - as if I needed anything else to convince me, this made me grin: <a href="http://portlandtribune.com/simpsons/" target="_blank">http://portlandtribune.com/simpsons/</a>.

[Waco]

Oh yeah - yes, I like dives. :)

[Andre Dellamorte]

Dude I live blocks from 3 Doors Down.

[Mad Man Mundt]

It's too late to turn back here we go.

I have been to Portland several times. Always love it, great record stors, great strip joints, and The Delta Cafe is king. Last time there I stayed at that divey Travel Lodge on Burnside across from Union Jacks. That was a scene to behold.

[Andre Dellamorte]

Triple M if you're up for a three person CHUDPORT, I'm sure we can wrangle up a digital camera, and make as much of a husafras as those other guys did.

[Big Black]

Mad Man Mundt:
..Last time there I stayed at that divey Travel Lodge on Burnside across from Union Jacks. That was a scene to behold.Hah! Quite the safari adventure.

Mundt - if you're ever headed down this way for a visit definitely let us know so we can hook up at the Delta for alcohol and food.

I fuckin love that place...

[Mad Man Mundt]

Well I'm going to be in Europe for the next 3 months, but I'll let you fellas know the next time I get around Portland ways. Hell When I come back from Europe I might not have a job so it may be sooner than you think.

[Asakura Lucid-sama]

Portland is one place I always enjoy visiting. Its only an hour drive from Salem.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Portland has more bridges than any other US city. Rush hour in Portland sucks....

[Waco]

I'm back in town this weekend, house/apartment hunting.

Big move is scheduled for middle of next month.

So, you guys think the health insurance bill is gonna pass next month? Just saw that yesterday - very interesting.

[Asakura Lucid-sama]

I guess I am a little bit out of the news. What was it about?

[Waco]

"Support for Measure 23, which would provide comprehensive health care for all Oregonian residents, trailed in the survey 40 percent to 47 percent. Democrats, women and those ages 18 to 34, however, tended to favor the measure. People 55 and older were split on the proposal."

From <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/front_page/103416453493332.xml" target="_blank">this link</a> I just found. Trying to find what I was looking at yesterday, that went into more detail on what the plan entails.

[Asakura Lucid-sama]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact smokes are going up 69 cents next month...

Thanks for the link. I will check it out.

[Big Black]

Waco - you are in Portland this week/end??

As for the measure, you got me. I'm for it because I know what it's like to have no health insurance. My girlfriend is without it right now and damn, the price of any medical care, especially what you'd think were basic perscriptions, is fucking astronomical.

[Andre Dellamorte]

I am totally down for some Chud lovin. E BB and we will totally arrange some beer drinking festivities.

It'll be like that Eddie Murphy song except without the girl who likes to party all the time.

[Waco]

I really need to find the article I was looking at yesterday. It was mostly discussing the flaws, taxes paying for acupuncture, the ease of getting state citizenship, that sort of thing. Get ready for an influx of sick/unemployed people if this thing passes.

Oh wait, I'll be relatively unemployed.... vote yes on November 5th! wink

All joking aside - Yeah, I'll be in town for a long weekend.

[Andre Dellamorte]

Tell us when you're free.

[Asakura Lucid-sama]

I am already unemployed...
Hence the reason I call myself a cyber-hermit in my profile. With Christmas coming, maybe I can land my old job back at Electronics Boutique.

[Big Black]

Sweet - my email is **pbogh@easystreet.com
Remove the asterix's if you aren't a spammer
:]

I'm tied up Friday but I think Saturday and Sunday are all clear. Let us know what works with your itinerary.

[Waco]

Saturday or Sunday work for me as well...

If you guys can PM me your phone #s, I'll give you a call. I'm heading to the airport in a few hours, and will be blissfully internet-free once doing so... sorry for the late notice!

[Andre Dellamorte]

Shot you an E.

[Waco]

Didn't get it...

[Isao Kanemasa]

This thread is kinda historic, isn't it?

Just wanted to state, for the CHUD record, that it was a blast meeting you guys (Waco, Big Black, Dre for the 2nd time) and I can't wait to go back to Portland and hang with you gents again. Beautiful city you guys live in. Seriously, Portland chicas are hot.

Next time, STRIP CLUBS! They fricking banned lap dances down here!

[bendrix]

I'm visiting Portland/Seattle this and next week. After reading about some of the fantastic suggestions in the Seattle thread (where I'll only be spending the day), I was wondering if Portland residents had any suggestions for things to do while I'm there, both touristy and non-. On the list already: Powell's Bagdad Theater, Three Door Down, Delta, at least one strip club. Much appreciated.

[stump]

I'm visiting in a couple weeks too. Recommendations please!

[englebert]

There was a Seattle vs. Portland thread a while back, but I don't remember if it actually had suggestions of things to do. Andre and Andrew Collins seem to be the most active Portland folk. Maybe they will heed my call.

[Andre Dellamorte]

I no longer live there. But, uh, I can give advice. I like the Dunes on MLK. That's where I was two weeks back when the bartender gave me her number. I still have a grip on the town, though it's not where I live any more.

[Fatboy Roberts]

I don't think there's much "Touristy" about Portland. You'd end up doing what all the locals do, I'd imagine.

This week, at least, there's Oktoberfest at Oaks Park, which is suprisingly large for Portland, I've always thought. I don't imagine lots of ruddy lederhosen nordic people. Nerdy Irish and generally mutt white people, yeah, but people get their Kraut on come Oktoberfest.

Next Saturday, if you're feeling geeky, There's the Stumptown Comics Fest (http://www.stumptowncomics.com/event_schedule) with Mike Allred, Ted Rall, Shannon Wheeler and Matt Wagner. This year there's gonna be a BATTLE between the artists, including audience members.

Also geeky, Terry Pratchett is doing a reading from one of his Discworld books (never read em) on Wednesday the 26th, at Powell's.

In two weeks (self promotion) I'm showing Goodfellas at the Bagdad Theater at 11pm, October 5th. 3 bucks to get in, it's got a restaraunt attached to it, and a bar, and you can eat and drink beer while enjoying your crime masterpiece.

Tonight and Tomorrow is The Miss White Trash Pageant 2008 and The Portland Pirate Festival, respectively.

Next Friday at Berbati's Drats!!! is playing. It's always a crazy-ass live show, they play a weird sort of funk-prog-rock, and just released a concept album based on the movie "Over the Edge." Saturday Dante's has the Noisette's and Kleveland performing. They're mean little female fronted rock bands that are brain-scrambling live. Goddamn good shows. Plus Dante's typically gives you something very nice to look at every 20 seconds.

Tomorrow night there's a Timbers game at PGE park. Minor League Soccer. Sounds lame as fuck, I know, but the crowds at these games are more fun to watch than the game, no lie.

As far as Strip Clubs go, I'd say "hit the acropolis" but word is their steaks are ass now. They used to be really good, from what I was told, but now it's just like rubber dog toy on a plate while some damaged daddy's girl drapes labia on the railing. I guess Mary's downtown will suffice. Not the GREATEST strip club, but probably the most "Portland" strip-club in Portland. The waitresses will try and jack you for tips though.

You catch Biddy McGraw's at the right time and it's like someone dumped Ireland in a blender with the Average White Band and hit puree until the motor burnt out. Small bar, but really fun when it gets going. That's over on 60th and Glisan.

[Andrew C]

Ahhh Portland, Liberal Hippie Mecca of the upper West Coast, better and dirtier than Seattle and Wi-Fi-riffic,

Fatboy narratin' home of myne.

This thread has some suggestions: Oregonian's Assemble! (http://chud.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100612&highlight=oregonians+assemble)

But there's plenty to do, but yeah - not too touristy, unless you feel like going to Powells Books (http://www.powells.com/) (which of course you should, they're legendery and plus they're my employer; The Zoo (http://www.oregonzoo.org/), which features sad, caged apes; or The Japanese Garden (http://www.japanesegarden.com/), which is quite a snoozer if you ask me. There's also Forest Park and Mt Tabor to explore if you don't make it up to Mt Hood for some natural beauty.

Strip Clubs? I recommend the already mentioned Mary's, but also the Type O Negative/Tattoo/gutter-tit glory of Union Jack's (http://www.unionjacksclub.com/).

I know I'm repeating Fatboy, but hit the Bagdad Theater (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=122961724), and don't forget to have a cigar in Greater Trumps next door or play pool in the Bagdad's Backstage Poolhall.

Lot's of great Indian, Middle Eastern and Ethiopian cuisine, but hit either The Montage (http://www.montageportland.com/), or The Delta (http://www.deltacafe.com/) for good fake Southern Food.

Body Worlds 3 is still in town for a couple more weeks and a stroll up and down NW 23rd or SE Hawthorne is a perfect little afternoon as long as the weather is nice. Wander around downtown between 9 and 2 PM on a weekend and there's PLENTY to do. Go up to the 30th floor of the Portland City Grill and have a scenic drink, or stumble into Tube (hipsters), XV (gangsters), or Kelly's (bikers), whichever suits your pleasure.

I have to stop, I sound like Rick Steves.

[bendrix]

Strip Clubs? I recommend the already mentioned Mary's, but also the Type O Negative/Tattoo/gutter-tit glory of Union Jack's (http://www.unionjacksclub.com/).




We walked by Union Jack's a couple times last night on our way to various bars. My friend is insistent we go to Devil's Point instead, talking up the "Suicide Girls vibe." When asked what the difference was between the SG vibe and "Type O Negative/Tattoo/gutter-tit glory" he said, "The girls are longer at Devil's Point."

I really have no idea what this means.

Caught Low at the Douglas Fir last night, and while the irony that I was going to see a band I could catch any given month in Duluth was not lost on me, I really enjoyed it. Part of it was the great show, the other part the Jackie Treehorn stylings of the club. The surrounding motel was a nice touch.

Powells Books is definitely on the itinerary, as I got lots of reading ideas from the SF Museum (sidenote: the actual Tree of Life model from The Fountain there is a must-see). If I see Richie Blackmore perusing the shelves, I'll be sure to say hello.

[Andrew C]

Yes, please give Richie our best. He'll be wearing a renaissance fair outfit...


Devil's Point is OK (I've played music there before), but it's the size of a closet which keeps me away since I hate having no place to sit when I go to a bar.



Also: GLOWING GREENS! (http://glowinggreens.com/GG/gallery.php)

[Andre Dellamorte]

I have labia drapes. They go with my bookshelves.

And Fatboy, you've never been to the Acropolis? Somehow I doubt that.

[Greg David]

Portland has the cleanest downtown I've ever seen in my life. It's a little disorienting at first.

[Andrew C]

The Clean downtown:

It's a relatively new thing, trying to bring in more yuppies and money.
The Pearl District.

Ten years ago this area looked like Birmingham with boarded up brick buildings and even more homeless.

[Andre Dellamorte]

And smelled like beef stew cause of the brewery.

[Fatboy Roberts]

Seriously, never been to the Acrop. Been to Mary's, been to the Pallas Club, been to the Dolphin II, but not the Acropolis. I'm not much for Strip Clubs, honestly. I'm not against em, but the entire concept of paying to get prickteased while I eat bad steak never took hold like it probably should have with me. It's a bachelor-party only type deal.

[Mad Man Mundt]

I was just at the Akropolis in March and the steaks were excellent. I also found Devil's Point much roomier than implied and easier to get a drink in than some of the other strip joints. The last time I was in Union Jacks again in March the girls were all tight and firm and more importantly not a fake tit nor bad bleach job in the bunch. Those girls are not skanky, and I know from skanky. I've been to the Clermont Lounge in Atlanta, a place off I-40 in Tennessee whose name I can't remember but it reminded me of Porky's, and a place in L.A. that I don't think had a name but had a black stripper who could wink at you with her asshole. I like Magic Gardens, too.

[Poulsonator]

My wife and I decided last year that we're heading out west in 2010 (that would give us a nice decade here in Orlando...yikes) and we've settled on Portland. We're heading up there twice next year (late winter/early spring & summer for a wedding...get to see two sides of the weather possibly) and started a budget for it all a few months ago.

It's strange to be so enamored by a city you've never been to, but I've always been attracted to Portland. My uncle lived there for many years, so possibly that's what started it. Anyway, I'll post more as more information comes up, but since we're still 2+ years away, we're still in the information gathering stage.

[stump]

I think I might move to Portland. I'm in SF right now trying to decide if I want to go back east or if I want to just drive back up to Portland. The only thing holding me back is that I don't have much money and all my music stuff is in Providence, so it'll start getting expensive if I want to get all my stuff back. I was having a very relaxing cross-country journey but now I'm in the middle of stressing out over this possibly huge move.

[stump]

But Portland is super nice. The big thing for me is the trees. There's forest everywhere. It's so great. I can actually breathe. Also, drivers are very respectful of bikers and pedestrians, which is so different for me. Also, there's so many micro-brews. Also, people are nice!

[stump]

The movie scene is way better than what I'm used to as well. It even seems like it was better up there than here in SF.