A New York Yankee in Portland's Downtown, or Why a New Yorker would actually like this crunchy town

There are a lot of things about Portland New Yorkers might find unnerving. First, people in Portland are friendly -- Portlanders are just determined to help you. They will give you directions to your destination, they will help you with your groceries and they will have a conversation with you, about anything. They're just so gregarious and so ready to talk that for the more solitary New Yorker, so much niceness might seem smothering. Second, there are no cabs to be seen and no subways. There's a light rail that runs all through the city, but it lacks the grime, mystery and free music performances of New York City's metro system. Portland is also absurdly clean -- there is not a cigarette butt to be found on the streets. Of course New Yorkers are used to a bit of a pollution. Despite Portland's lack of the few things that New Yorkers deem as truly essential for daily living,and despite Portland's overwhelming friendliness and eco-consciousness, even the most New York of New Yorkers can find themselves at home in this Northwest city. And here's why:

1. Dogs
New Yorkers love their dogs and take them everywhere with them. Luckily so do Portlanders, and perhaps Oregonians in general. Portland dogs can be found in hotels, in the park, on the street, on the beach and in the restaurants. From big scruffy dogs to little purse size dogs (though, I'd say the majority are capable of chasing sticks, as opposed to toothpicks).


2. Happy Hour
Every bar in Portland has happy hour from 4-6PM, at way more reasonable prices than in New York. The Hotel Monaco has free wine tasting everyday except Sunday (and they don't check room #s... insider's tip >>wink, wink<<). The Portland City Grill has Happy Hour all night on Sunday. Way to start the week!! wooot.

3. Restaurants
Portland is teeming with good places to eat and the value is fantastic. The restaurants tend to feature local providers -- which means super fresh and yummy.

4. Districts
New Yorkers are used to their neighborhoods -- we've got the village and chelsea, chinatown, and SoHo. Well Portland has the Pearl,Nob Hill, Downtown, Chinatown... etc. Oh, and did I mention the whole city is on a grid system!

5. Homeless People
There are not too many people on the streets in Portland, but there are a healthy number of homeless people on the corners. They're cleaner looking than New York homeless people which might throw a visitor off -- they are easily confused with leftover hippies.

6. Coffee Shops and Voodoo Doughnuts
There is no shortage of caffeine refueling stations in Portland. Starbucks, local coffeehouses, tea shops -- yea, the city has a place to fill up your cuppa on practically every corner. And did I mention that all the coffee is actually delicious and not bitter. Then there's Voodoo Doughnuts, the greatest doughnut on the planet, to go with your free-trade coffee. Bagels pale in comparison.