Two Tacos Short of a Combo Plate

Oregonians are a little quirky, and Portlanders are no different. We think there's something appealing about that.

A couple years ago in naming Portland its most livable big city, Money magazine wrote that Portlanders are "deeply passionate about their city." At Staffing Solutions, we agree there's plenty to be proud of as our city (and state) continues to make the transition from the lumber-spotted owl paradigm to a more broadly world-relevant economy.

Portland, Oregon

First things first. If from out of state, you're going to ask about it: the rain.

There are approximately 150 days each year with some precipitation. Liquid sunshine, a state of webfoots, and sun breaks -- all cornball expressions we use to wave away the rain. If you can't deal with rain, you may have trouble in Portland. But in fact, we receive about the same amount of precipitation as New York City. And the intensely verdant landscape is our tradeoff.

At times, Portland resembles a Lord of the Rings-like forest cut by rivers and bounded by mountains. The Pacific Northwest is a region of unparalleled natural beauty. Portland is at its heart, and hyperbole aside, it can be breathtaking here.

The rugged Oregon coast with its rocky scenery and quaint beach communities lies 60 miles away. Vineyards and wineries by the dozens line the Willamette Valley and dot Yamhill County only 50 miles from downtown. Oregon is home to some world-recognized pinots. Mt. Hood lies to our east, Washington's Mt. St. Helens is an hour to the north; Bachelor, Jefferson, Washington, Three-Fingered Jack, Broken Top, and the Three Sisters mountains are three hours to the south near the high desert of central Oregon.

Three decades of astute land planning "have reined in urban sprawl and given rise to a mini-metropolis with short, easy-to-stroll blocks renowned for their java joints, brewpubs, and bookstores," according to Money. Our light rail network -- which continues to grow -- a new streetcar system, a labyrinthine bus network, and bike-friendly streets make it easy to get around town - on both sides of the Willamette River.

The nationally-acclaimed Portland Art Museum, Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, and Portland Opera complement a clutch of leading edge local jazz, rock, deejay, and dance clubs.

Pioneer Courthouse Square -- the city's living room -- is arguably a city focal point, but there are many. Outstanding public art and a comforting mix of historic and modern buildings in downtown, including vintage cast iron and terra cotta architecture, and our municipal legacy of fountains and statuary attract jaded lunch crowds and slack-jawed visitors alike.

The Pearl District -- a Pacific Rim version of Soho; the Park Blocks, Northwest 21st and 23rd, Johns Landing, Multnomah Village, Hawthorne, St. Johns, Irvington, Alberta, Sellwood, and a bunch of other neighborhoods and districts lend their distinctive patinas to the palette that is our city. Portland has 9,500 acres of regional greenspace in dozens of parks. Within the city limits is Forest Park, the largest urban park in the United States. Washington Park, the Rose Garden and Amphitheatre, the Japanese Gardens, Hoyt Arboretum, and the Classical Chinese garden -- the largest Suzhou style garden outside of China -- add human-organized color and culture to Portland.

Handcrafted and often only locally available, we appreciate a pint of now-not-so-microbrew. Brewpubs and brewpub movie theaters are sprinkled throughout the area -- some like the Lucky Labrador in the Hawthorne District allow dogs. In 2001, USA Today rated Portland the sixth most "pet-healthy" city in America.

Recreational opportunities are abundant and close by: snowboarding, skiing and other winter alpine sports on 11,300' Mt. Hood; windsurfing on the Columbia River; and white-water rafting on Clackamas and numerous other Cascades-fed rivers. Anglers travel from around the world travel to fish for 15' long, 150-years old sturgeon weighing over 1,000 pounds in the Columbia. Salmon and steelhead attract others. Professional sports teams include the AAA Portland Beavers baseball, the WHL Portland Winter Hawks, and the NBA TrailBlazers. Indoor and outdoor public tennis courts, public (cheap!) and championship caliber golf courses, bike paths, and forested and riverside running trails are plentiful. Family-friendly events and festivals celebrating specialty foods, drinks, and music abound throughout the year. Population Connection ranks Portland first in its "Kid Friendly City Report Card." Portland is home to Powell's, the largest new-and-used bookstore in the world. The dining culture is vibrant and uniquely Pacific Northwestern.

Leading the Way

Jack McGowan, the founder of SOLV, the nonprofit organization that published the Oregon Owner's Handbook in 2002, said "the only way to continue bettering Oregon is to get people who ...are not going to take Oregon for granted -- people who are not only here to gain value, but to give value, give of themselves."

Portland is urban without being hectic. The climate, the metropolitan feel, the architecture, the culture, the music, the restaurants, the natural beauty, and plenitude of outdoor activities are our strengths. Portland's lure is deep. Build your career and life here. Our operators are standing by.

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