I loved Portland when we visited 3 weeks or so ago. People often compare Austin and Portland and I can definitely see why. Both cities have a similar, laid-back vibe, friendly people, quirky shops and funky restaurants. The similarity ends when we start talking geographically, though. Aside from the fact that both have rivers running through them, they are distinctly different places. Portland has a wonderful summer climate, extensive forests, many, many hills and an ocean only 90 minutes away. Austin suffers from blistering heat in the summer, is mostly flat (the hills in the Hill Country are really just minor undulations compared to the mountains of Oregon) and the majority of the trees top out at below 20 feet tall.
Don’t get me wrong – I love living in Austin, especially in Spring and Winter, but I’m sure few people would disagree that Portland is definitely a far more pleasant place to be during July and August!