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Ask yourself how much you buy into mainstream news. Is there an agenda, or is what they are telling you actually news?
When it comes to certain cities, the media has not done them any favors.
On the other hand, you could argue that certain cities themselves have not furthered their own reputations.
Does anyone come to mind?
One that may register is the beautiful city of San Francisco, one of the most iconic destinations in the US
Following closely behind could be Portland, Oregon, a city that has so much potential but, according to several media sources, seems to be getting in its own way.
Nevertheless, the Today Show feels confident the ‘Austin of the Northwest’ has cleaned up their act enough to recommend it to solo travelers this summer.
Has Portland cleaned up their streets?
It feels like beating a dead horse to mention the pandemic, but if you were lost in the madness of that crazy period in our lives, you may have missed that Portland was a place you didn’t want to be.
Along with San Francisco, LA, Seattle and probably more, Portland was one of many cities highlighted for safety concerns.
In other words: it became a modern version of the wild, wild west.
Now that those days are behind us (fingers crossed), Portland will be hoping for a repeat. According to the city official Board of Tourismimprove crime rates.
One of the most important elements that solo travelers often look for is safety, as they venture out alone.
Since I often travel alone, let’s just say I’m not eyeing Somalia as my next vacation.
Portland is a great place to visit with almost identical atmosphere to Austin. In fact, both trendy cities share the same names: “Keep Austin weird” and “Keep Portland weird.”
The problem is that locals say their city has become way too weird with controversial policies like drug decriminalization.
It’s a lot to unpack, but Portland’s current mayor believes they are on their way to cleaning up their image and making the city, especially the tent-lined encampments downtown, safe for pedestrians again. continues to improve.
Portland is not the center or the bust
Portland’s urban sprawl is fun to explore, but let’s face it: the Pacific Northwest is full of some of the most pristine natural areas in the country.
Portland is a really cool, quirky city, in mostly good ways. It has a phenomenal arts and food culture, endless cafes and is one of the most bike-friendly and walkable cities for enjoying the outdoors.
When we leave for a new destination, the city center is often our base, or at least a starting point. In Portland, this is where most of the most notorious eyesores are located and solo travelers may have doubts.
That’s a real concern, but take it from me, who has lived in downtown San Diego for eight years.
I’ve seen it all: ugly homeless encampments, car break-ins, shootings and let’s just say where some people didn’t find a toilet in time.
Not once in eight years have I ever experienced any harm while walking the streets, grabbing a cup of coffee alone, or going to the bar late at night.
Safety is a fickle topic with a lot of unpredictability, and self-awareness is the most important factor when traveling alone.
So whether you visit the popular Pine Street Market, have a coffee at the top-rated Society Cafe, or cycle around the city, don’t let fear-mongering headlines stop you from enjoying this great city.
Sunny outside Adventures
Portland is a great gateway to the breathtaking nature of the Pacific Northwest. Tourists have a scenic riverbank, waterfalls, tranquil hiking trails and majestic mountains all within easy reach.
Good or bad, safety has been the topic of conversation for Portland, another misunderstood topic is the weather.
Cities like Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland tend to have a gloomy reputation as if it rains all the time, but that’s not necessarily true.
Summer here brings warmer weather and sunshine. A popular activity is to take the Columbia River Highway to see the beautiful River Gorge and what is known as “Waterfall Alley,” but especially the magnificent Multnomah Falls.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
