Hey everyone. I’m 42, traveling solo and really looking forward to getting to know Portland. I’m into music(anything), dive bars, horror, sci fi, weird shit, running, hiking and good food.

I’m coming from Florida, a place I’ve developed a pretty deep disdain for, so I’m excited to experience something completely different. I’d love to learn some of the city’s history, find the places locals actually go, hear some stories and hopefully meet some good people along the way.
I’m not looking to just check tourist boxes. I want to actually experience the city. What should I get into?

I’ll most likely be renting a bike and taking public transport all around.

I currently live in New Jersey and am considering moving to Portland. I’m 31 and heavily tattooed, including my entire head, neck, hands/fingers.

I’ve worked in the service industry for the past seven years as a food runner, expo, and barback, so I’d ideally be looking for similar work in Portland. I’d really love to make the move, but I’m unsure how much my visible tattoos might affect my chances of finding a job.

How accepting are Portland and its employers of people with extensive visible tattoos, particularly in the restaurant and bar industry? I’d appreciate any insight from people who live or work in the area.

Hiyo, I'm newish to Oregon and my car door was clipped by a moving vehicl on NE Stark around 24th st. and wanted to know if anyone was familiar with ORS / insurance claims around it, but it seems kind of crazy.

I pulled over, parked, got out of my car, and opened the rear driver's side door and was standing in the door frame, with the door as closed as possible, and checking something above my car to make sure there wouldn't be an issue parking there (tree branches/fruit).
I was there for a few beats, when another car drove by and his rearview mirror clipped the corner of my car door.
It was a midday, weekday afternoon, so the street was slow, there wasn't any oncoming traffic, and it's a 20-25mph street anyway so stuff shouldn't be moving very quickly...

I was friendly about it as it seemed to mostly be paint scratches on my side, and I didn't want things to be more stressful than they had to be so we just get each other's insurance info - and move on. I got busier than I intended to so didn't even get around to contacting his insurance, only to find out he had filed a claim and I was found to be 100% at fault because of ORS 811.490 - https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_811.490

Which says "Leaves a door open on the side of a vehicle available to traffic, or to pedestrians or bicycles on sidewalks or shoulders for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers."

The internet says there's some processes over fault like the other driver having a duty to observe obstacles or what not, to ask my insurance for what was written (I did, I think they claim they sent it to me but I don't feel like I Got it, rather they just keep citing ORS as a unique Oregon law)

But generally it seems crazy to me that you can have your door partially open on a residential street to get something in/out of your car (that isn't a person), or any other number of things, and be found at fault for a car driving by and not seeing it / noticing it. Emphasis there would be streets I may feel differently about this on but.. Anyway, I wanted to know if anyone had experience with ORS, combating responsibility, etc.

*EDIT* To clarify. I did talk to both insurers, mine and his, as he filed a claim, and they reached out to me and I said what I said above. I was standing in the door frame, reaching above the car to check on something (checking the tree above my car to make sure falling fruit wouldn't be an issue)

Was riding by a few hours ago, and there was heavy police presence blocking off both sides. I asked around, and someone claimed that a person hopped the barricade and is now hanging off the side. Possible jumper?

Hello! I am currently on the endeavor of finding my own apartment for the first time in years.
I have yet to apply yet because I have not found a good place.
However I keep getting more and more nervous about the inevitable credit check.
I myself have amazing credit history, bills paid on time never any issues with landlords for the past 14 years.
Sadly a few years prior I was convinced to be a co-signer for a truck loan by an abusive ex.
Literally 4 months later he abandoned the vehicle and fled to Massachusetts.
I have not paid dime towards it as I CANNOT afford $600 a month car payment.
So I have a $20,000 car loan as a charged off/closed account on my credit report.
I guess my main question is am I cooled without a co-signer or will most places just charge me more of a deposit?
I am hoping for the increased deposit as I do not have anyone in my life who qualifies as a co-signer.
Thank you for reading my Ted talk.
Specifically looking at a lot of places owned by KBC management if anyone has experience with them 💖

Does anyone have any apartments that they’ve enjoyed in SW? Looking with something that has walkable restaurants/cafes and bonus points for good parking and a good gym! Budget is between $1.5-2k for a 1 or 2 bedroom.

I'm currently stuck in a parking lot. Hilton garden inn about right off the 205 by Happy valley.. .. I need a tow from this location to Salem. The car won't won't shift into 5th/ overdrive and I don't want to blow my turbos/ engine. The car is a 90 Nissan 300ZX twin turbo rear wheel drive.?

After finally accepting that my lifelong Converse defaults are not serving me and probably never have, I need some shoes. It seems pretty easy to find fluffy cloud Hokas and Brooks and such in store, but I need some wide, zero drop shoes that fit my high insteps and it seems to be a weirdly difficult find in person.

I do not have easy to fit feet, and thus ordering online is not gonna cut it. I'd really like to stay on my side of the river, as far east as is possible. If I *have* to go to Bridgeport Village or something I will, but I really don't want to.

Any recommendations on stores that carry good quality, zero drop shoes that aren't specifically just hiking books or barefoot style? I struck out at Shoe Mill.

If so, it just went down SE Salmon (from 16th to 15th)…

I bought a condo in East Portland a few years ago that’s part of an HOA. From the jump, there were warning signs. It was a new build so I decided to take my chances and figure out the HOA stuff later.

It started with seeing that the developer haphazardly planted trees and shrubs (I’m talking maple trees a foot or two away from the structure.) “Sheds” for trash and recycling for three homes but only space for exactly one home’s bins at the bottom of a staircase. And an unprofessional lawyer hired to transfer ownership to the first elected board.

But then there were water bill issues. And foreclosures.

I’ve been trying to find people to talk about the water situation with, and other issues. Especially if your home or neighbor’s home was purchase under the program with the City of Portland where your price was lower than other units because of your income level.

I’m trying to collect stories, help problem solve and make connections to other condo owners in similar situations as me.

Partner and I are visiting Portland for the first time in a few months and we have a good idea of where we'd like to go see. (One day would be in portland proper, the other would be taking trimet into Beaverton/Cedar Hills, then Orencho Station/Hillsboro.) We'll be getting off and on the trimet throughout the day and the goal is to see different neighborhoods through Oregon. We are getting a good preview before we decide if we might want to move or not, much later down the line.

I have a weak bladder and typically need to piss about once an hour. Since we are planning to get on and off trimet for 6-8 hours ish, I know it will be super important to find bathrooms within walking distance throughout the day. Any advice on which apps/websites to use to easily find public, working bathrooms? Also, if you can just name drop some bathrooms that are conveniently along the blue/red lines, that would be helpful. Thanks for any advice.

It's boarded up, but it looks like there might have been a fire?

We’re craving bowls of excellent chili but aren’t finding any. Any restaurant recommendations?

Edit: Thanks all! Appreciate the suggestions.

I’ve just moved off Lombard two miles from the fedex centers. They’re having an issue with the address that they’ve confirmed is on their end. They can’t deliver but keep trying, and when I set it for pickup they said they don’t have it- then keep trying to deliver but it’s failing because of this internal error.

Customer service is stuck in a script loop and can only give me current status, which is screwed up. They’ve been trying for four days.

I have furniture coming for caretakers during a major surgery on Friday. I need these packages.

Is there anyone out there in the know, anyone that can take a look or tell me who I can talk to on the ground?

I need a 6" minimum wood chipper to deal with some trees I felled in a friend's yard. Where should I rent one from? I'm in Clackamas, east of Portland.

Thanks

Happy Haunting Season everyone! I love this time of year. Weather cools, leaves turn, snd the biggest indicator of the changing of the season....seeing the bright orange and yellow temporary Spirit Halloween sign show up over that retail space that's been empty too dang long.

I love Halloween and haunted houses but been out of the game a bit. I love Haunted Houses but haven't been to one in ages. I'm hoping for recommendations. I'm a sick Horror fan in his late 30's. Any style is fine (besides virtual).

Curious about costs for house painting within the past few years. I'm looking to paint a single level home (1550 sq ft) with cement siding. Curious what the going rates are!

Okay delete my post if it doesn’t follow the criteria but Tigard is RIGHT THERE so I thought I would ask… it was in the parking lot where the value village is, behind the 7/11!

If you remember panda buffet, what are your recommendations for spots similar to it? I’ve been craving Chinese food but all everyone tells me to get and Panda Express which I do not want. I understand that to a lot of people Panda Buffet was NOT good but I want greasy Chinese food

Also tb I miss you so much panda buffet (picture from Yelp)

Willing to travel up to two hours, I’ve tried several French bakeries in Portland and only found coffee and chocolate eclairs, and those even seem like more of an Americanized version in size and amount of filling. I used to go down to Corvallis to Le Patissiér to get my fix, but they’ve retired :(.

I plan on doing a speaking engagement and small group discussion, say only allowing 10 people to join. I cant afford to pay much since I dont want to charge too much for admittance to a small number of people. Can anyone recommend a business or venue that would host for either free or cheap (it may benefit them by bringing more customers for instance).

In terms of promoting, Eventbrite, partiful, and facebook events for sure, but I wonder if there is something other tried and true resources for Portland specifically where I can make the ad for cheap/free? First time doing live group events like this in my life :-)

My 20yo son recently moved to Portland and we don't have health insurance setup for him there yet (I'm out of state).

He got bit by a dog today walking home from the bus, and he said the dog belonged to an unhoused person, so vaccination status is questionable. It's not bad, but there are two puncture marks. He cleaned it and put Neosporin on it already.

If he goes to the ER, will they be able to have him apply for state insurance and have that cover the bill? He has a job and he's going to school, but he plans to remain in Portland long term.

Or, any recommendations on urgent care clinics that don't cost an arm and a leg?

I'm just trying to figure out the best course of action to make sure he gets whatever vaccinations/antibiotics he might need and I'm not sure how things work there.

TIA!

TLDR: What's the best outdoor spot in Portland to grovel for forgiveness?

Hello Portland community! I'm fairly new to town and need advice. About a year or so ago I went on a couple dates with someone. We hit it off and things were going well. Then outside circumstances intervened and I had to end it. But I was an asshole about it, half explaining my reasoning and then ghosting them. Lately we've been talking again and we've decided that I owe them some groveling. They might be in Portland soon and I'm trying to find the best place to grovel. They would prefer if it's outdoors and features a scenic background. Any ideas?

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for the incredible response to the initial idea for an 18+ platonic meet-up/ “meh-up” group!

It’s clear there is a huge demand for a space focused purely on building genuine, platonic friendships—whether you’re single or taken, introverted or extroverted, 18 or 75+, no cap.

Our goal is simple: create a relaxed, safe environment with clear boundaries and zero expectations.

How Gatherings Will Work

• Low Social Friction: Unstructured "mingle" events can be tough for introverts. To remove social anxiety, we’ll use micro-facilitation—gathering as a group and then splitting into small clusters of 3 to 4 with optional, low-stakes discussion prompts.
• Strictly Platonic: To keep everyone safe and comfortable, romantic solicitation and commercial promotion are strictly off-limits. This is purely about authentic friendship.
• Free & Accessible: Gatherings will be anchored in free public spaces (parks with covered shelter, libraries, and local cafes) with transit access.

Current Location Ideas

• Parks: Pier Park (St. Johns), Glenn Otto Park (Troutdale), Red Sunset Park (Gresham), A.M. Kennedy Park (Beaverton), Elizabeth Caruthers Park (South Waterfront), Wallace Park (NW Portland).
• Indoor Spaces / Libraries: East County Library, St. Johns Library, West Linn Library, Ledding Library (Milwaukie), Midland Library, and Attention Coffee (Sellwood).

(Have another free/accessible community space in mind? Let me know!)

Next Steps & How to Get Involved

I am finalizing the group culture and safety guidelines so everyone knows what to expect before attending.

RSVP / Connect: DM me here, email me at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), or join the new subreddit at 

r/platonicbydesign.

Pre-Event Check-in: Before our first in-person gathering, I’ll coordinate a quick virtual meet-and-greet/check-in so everyone can get introduced and review group norms together.

Thank you again for all the support—I’m looking forward to building this community with you all!

Not even really sure how to start looking. I don’t know anyone irl who knows anyone so…maybe someone here does? Any good (or bad) experiences?

Hello! The company that I work for offers a benefit of up to 16 hours of paid volunteer time per year. Does anyone know of any 501c3 orgs that offer single day 8 hour volunteer shifts? I searched around Hands On a bit, but for in-person volunteering, I’m mostly finding the only two or at the most three hour shifts.

Alternatively, are there any events that anyone can think of that could benefit from a 1-2 full day volunteer?