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Portland is overflowing with fabulous coffee joints. Wired on Burnside is a local-fave spot in Goose Hollow with aromatic brews and the friendliest baristas around town. This funky yet cozy neighborhood spot also serves up cheap and tasty bagel sandwiches and pastries, as well as yummy milkshakes, smoothies, and Italian sodas. Fehrenbacher Hof is another beloved local coffee shop, located on 19th Ave. This hidden gem resides within an inviting and unpretentious little house with a charming porch out front. So order up a stung cup o' jo and one of Fehrenbacher's delectable breakfast sandwiches and enjoy it out in the sunshine.

Nearly all areas of Portland are safe, especially during the day. The city is filled with many unique neighborhoods, with most of the nicer areas closer to downtown. Northeast Portland is perhaps the least desirable section of the city and many locals avoid crossing above 82nd Street during nightfall. Southwest and Northwest Portland are known for their charm and beauty, but these areas do tend to be on the pricier side. Eastmoreland is also a nice neighborhood, as well as the casual and artsy Inner Southeast vicinity.

Not only does Portland have many parks and outdoor recreational areas within city limits, but it also is not very far from such places as the Columbia River, the southern chain of the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, all of which are prime locations to enjoy the outdoors. There are at least 4 National Parks within 50 miles, including the Deschutes and Snoqualmie National Forests. Portland residents enjoy golfing, mountain biking, skiing, ice climbing, hiking, fishing and wind surfing at different times of the year. Many people move to Portland because of the plentiful outdoor activities and easy access to the wilderness.

Portland is chock full of dog-friendly establishments from dog parks to farmer's markets to local restaurants. Hoyt Arboretum boasts 185 acres with 1,100 species of trees and 12 miles of trails for you and your pup to enjoy. Forest Park is the largest city park in the United States with about 5,000 acres of dog-friendly natural area with abundant natural wildlife and a massive tree canopy. Chimney Dog Park on North Columbia Boulevard is a 16-acre local favorite off-leash park open year round with sprawling meadows, trails, and fenced-in areas for the pups. Berlin Inn German Restaurant and Bakery allows dogs on their outdoor patio, even offering a special doggie menu with treats for your favorite furry friend! Every October, Portland's Lucky Labrador Brew Pub is home to the annual Dogtoberfest where dogs can get a good washing and all proceeds are donated to a local charity.

Portland is home to an impressive array of fun and educational museums for visitors of all ages. The Children's Museum, located on Southwest Canyon Road, is an interactive museum with exhibits showcasing the natural world, sound, gravity, medicine, light and shadow, and more. Located on Southwest Park Avenue, Portland Art Museum is a sprawling 112,000 square foot facility displaying ancient through modern-day art from all around the world. Portland's World Forestry Center offers visitors a glimpse of life and changes within the forest, with many educational and interactive displays, a forest canopy habitat featuring live animals, and even a raft ride. Some other Portland favorite museums include the Hat Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Craft, the Oregon Historical Society Museum, and the Oregon Maritime Center and Museum.

Portland's Pearl District and Northwest Portland are nice, safe areas, close to downtown and conveniently located along the streetcar line. However, these neighborhoods are on the pricier end of things. Some less expensive safe neighborhoods are located on the east side of the river, including the Hawthorne District, Irvington, and Alberta. According to neighborhoodscout.com, the neighborhoods with the lowest crime rate in Portland are Sylvan, Benny Slope, Portland Heights, Kaiser Road, and Englewood.

Portland is a great place for families. While it does rain quite a bit throughout the year, that rain is the source of all of Portland's top-notch forests, flowers, and farms, and the summers are beautiful and generally sunny. In addition to plenty of parks, opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and swimming abound. Plus, it has accessible skiing at Mt. Hood. Portland is also home to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), the Portland Children's Museum, the Oregon Zoo, and the World Forestry Center.

No, you probably won't need a car in Portland. Over 12 percent of Portland's residents uses mass transit to get to work on a daily basis. While this might not sound like a lot, this number is 735 percent greater than the Oregon average and 567 percent greater than the national average, indicating that Portland's public transit system is very well developed. Local bus service is provided by TriMet, which also operates the MAX light rail system, which connects the city and suburbs. In addition to Portland's mass transportation options, Portland was ranked the 12th most walkable of fifty largest U.S. cities by a 2011 study by Walk Score. Biking is also a popular options for Portland's commuters.