Before I went to Portland for a week this past June, I asked everyone I knew for their opinion and their recommendations. Overwhelmingly, the reviews were positive. It was described as a very clean, safe city with fantastic public transportation and a quirky, green culture. The week I was there I saw the Starlight Parade (prior to the Rose Festival), the Rose, Japanese and Chinese Gardens, Powell’s Books, and most of downtown. The entire city is accessible via the light rail, which is free in the city center and inexpensive outside it. Overall, I had a very positive experience!