1. Portlanders Know The City Should Really Be Called “Cartlandia”
While bigger cities stalk their favorite food trucks on social media, Portlanders always know where to find their favorite meal on wheels. Food carts are to Portland what food trucks are to everywhere else. And they’re always parked in the same spot.
Cartlandia is an oasis of nearly 30 food carts that are bike and pet-friendly. It also wouldn’t be Portland without a beer garden where you can bring your food to sit and enjoy with your pooch and friends. Horses are even allowed in designated areas, so all those Portlander-farmer types feel right at barn-home.
2. For Portland Folks, Every Day Is Earth Day
Portland consistently ranks towards the top of the greenest cities in the country—but it’s not because they have to be. While California passed laws to ban plastic bags, Portlanders don’t need a law to tell them to carry canvas – they do it because they want to.
The area has a reported population of 68 percent of residents in favor of recycling, which is pretty staggering in comparison to other cities. And not only do the people in Portland willingly compost on their own property, but there are also composting bins alongside the garbage bins and the recycling bins. Learn which is which.
3. Portlanders Live In The True Home Of The Simpsons
You might know the home of the Simpsons as being Springfield. That’s because it is. And while a bunch of Springfield’s around the country duke it out over which one gets the right to claim the Simpson’s as their own residents, Portland knows that they really belong right here in their city.
Matt Groening, creator of the legendary cartoon, grew up in Portland and it shows in his work. When he made the characters for the show, he named a bunch of them after street names in Portland. There’s Flanders, Quimby, Terwilliger, Kearney…
4. Folks In Portland Aren’t Always Drowning In The Rain
It rains in Portland, in case you haven’t heard. But guess what? A lot of cities get more rain than Portland does, but you’d never know it because for some reason Portland gets the rep for rain.
If you’re unconvinced, just check out the numbers: Portland gets an average annual rainfall of 39 inches, while NYC sees almost 45 inches, New Orleans gets 64, and the supposedly sunny Honolulu gets around 86 inches a year. Science.
But when it does rain, leave the umbrella at home. Locals don’t bother. Cute rain boots? Yes. Umbrella? No way.
5. Portlanders Will Be Impressed If You Know The Word “Puddletown”
Powell’s City of Books is on Couch Street. But you don’t pronounce it like the thing you sit on in your family room while watching television – dead giveaway that you’re a tourist. It’s pronounced “Cooch” Street. Really.
The city’s referred to as “Stumptown,” a nickname the city earned in its early days because it expanded so quickly, tree stumps were literally left in the middle of the streets. “Puddletown” arose from the city’s reputation for rainy days. They’re just some of Portland’s quirks that makes it so Portland.
6. No One In Portland Is Scandalized By Strippers
No, really. Believe it or not, Portland is an unbridled strip club mecca. It has more completely-nude, full-liquor strip clubs than anywhere else in the country. But, like everything in Portland, there’s just something different about the strip clubs here.
Sure, stripping is stripping. But these clubs see a pretty even mix of men and women patrons, many of whom come in groups with friends. Some of whom are even out on a date night. So, while the number of clubs can be a bit surprising at first, you quickly learn that it’s really not that big of a deal.
7. There’s Nothing Portlanders Won’t Pickle
In Portland, pickling is the new black. Everywhere you go, you’ll find something pickled on the menu. And if you’re at someone’s house, chances are, they’ve got a mason jar of something pickling in their fridge: beets, cucumbers, tomatoes and, of course, pickles. But don’t be surprised to find some pretty bizarre things being pickled—like beer. No joke.
It’s a city full of people who like to try new things and love to do it themselves. So, why not? When in doubt, pickle it! And if you’re afraid to try it yourself, head over to the Fermentation Festival where you’ll find food carts and local grocers under the label “Picklopolis.”
8. Everyone Is Portland Is Vegan
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’re in good company in Portland. Unlike most other cities where those who don’t eat meat are forced to search far and wide for somewhere that accommodates to their lifestyle, it’s just the opposite here. In fact, you might just find more places to go than not in Portland.
You’ll find vegan restaurants, vegan bakeries, vegan ice cream… But you’ll also find vegan bed and breakfasts and even vegan strip clubs? It’s true. They exist.
9. Yeah, Portlanders Will Admit That “Portlandia” Is Pretty Accurate
By now if you haven’t seen “Portlandia,” you’ve been living under a rock. Although the parody show can seem so outrageous and funny that it couldn’t possibly be real, it’s actually more accurate than you might think. Yes, the city is full of hipster-types (some extremely so), a booming arts and music scene, and a whole lot of DIY-grassroots people.
Not everyone loves the show, and many people get annoyed by it. Mainly because of all of the attention that it brought to the city, making it even more crowded. Not to mention, it’s just kind of an old joke now.
10. But They’re Annoyed When People Think They Know Portland
After Portlandia’s success, it seems like everyone’s an expert on the city, even if they don’t live here... actually, especially if they don’t live here. And they’re the ones who like to talk to everyone who actually is from Portland about the popular things about the area. Kind of like telling Batman how to be a badass.
Yes, everyone here has tried the donuts at Voodoo. Many, many times. But guess what? Voodoo isn’t the only place to get donuts. Blue Star Donuts makes amazing ones too, without a two-hour long line around the block.
And yes, everyone knows about the unicycle-riding Darth Vader playing bagpipes. You’re not telling them anything new.
Feature Image Source: Visit Portland Facebook
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about Portland in the comments below! 
