The public transportation is ample (and growing) and everywhere else is bike friendly. Good food is abundant and cheap if you hop between the many food carts. Plenty of unique bars which all serve some sort of food, too. The selection of beers brewed in and around here are endless.

It does rain a fair amount, but almost never more than a trickle during the day; I don't wear anything more than a sweatshirt most moist days. All the precipitation isn't without benefit and makes the city and surrounding areas absolutely beautiful in the spring, summer and fall. Real, dense forest and the coast are only an hour and a half's drive away and the city is littered with well maintained parks.

We don't get quite as many musicians coming through as Los Angeles or Seattle, but a fair amount (of the ones I'm interested in at least) do stop-in. I do find the local music scene lacking. I'm sure there are more events like these, but all of the art galleries have open houses (with free booze) the first Thursday of every month Downtown, and the last Thursday on Alberta.

We are heading back home to Los Angeles soon, but only to be closer to friends and family for a bit longer. Portland has definitely made the list of places to return to.

It's weird, I saw the best show of my life at Dante's (Extra Action Marching Band) but I've now been back four times and have never been tempted back in. It always just seems like trashy bar bands?