In portland, Bicycle, bus, and the light rail trains (MAX) are really all you need. But cars are really it when you need to get anywhere else.

I would suggest Max and renting a bicycle if your downtown. Otherwise rent a car, there’s a lot to see just outside of Portland (Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge), so renting a car for a day or two to see those beautiful things is a great a idea. Enjoy, it’s a beautiful place, I love it!