Is Portland, OR Safe?

[crescent-zephyr]

I have only walked around Portland once, probably about 5 years ago. I arrived on 27 and was leaving on southbound Starlight and wanted to check out Powell's Books. A security officer at the Station told me to walk down a certain street to get there and by doing so I should be able to avoid "aggressive" panhandlers. I took his advice and did not encounter any panhandlers, aggressive or meek, and had a nice time between trains.

Of course the lounge in Portland is very nice, good coffee and comfortable furniture and a nice view of the tracks. Very pleasant. I think I could spend 3 or 4 days there, drinking coffee and reading, no problem.

I think I’ve walked down the street he told you to avoid and it’s not too bad... but you’re literally passing a homeless camp. Ha.

Everyone raves about Powell’s but there prices were so high I didn’t buy anything. I think I’m just spoiled by having a great used book store near me with cheap prices. It’s certsinly a fun place to visit though!

I’ve only tried to visit the lounge once, and had a really bad experience. Others have said how much they enjoyed it so I should give it another try. My visit it was quite crowded and the attendant didn’t want to store my bag and told me I didnt have time to leave the station (I got lunch AND visited the 4449 In the time I had!). It was all really odd.

It’s sad... when I think of Portland Union Station I think of the pacific parlour cars and the Talgos.

 

[Asher]

Strange, in years past Portland has always been a place to visit. This year things happen on the opposite side of the country, physically and then vocally to turn it into a place to avoid.

 

[NativeSon5859]

Is the Portland lounge even open again? When I was there last month, it was closed.

 

[Mark P]

It's open, I was there back in late June. No food/bev inside the lounge, they were giving people vouchers to use at the mini mart inside the station.

 

[TXhawk]

I think I’ve walked down the street he told you to avoid and it’s not too bad... but you’re literally passing a homeless camp. Ha.

Everyone raves about Powell’s but there prices were so high I didn’t buy anything. I think I’m just spoiled by having a great used book store near me with cheap prices. It’s certsinly a fun place to visit though!

I’ve only tried to visit the lounge once, and had a really bad experience. Others have said how much they enjoyed it so I should give it another try. My visit it was quite crowded and the attendant didn’t want to store my bag and told me I didnt have time to leave the station (I got lunch AND visited the 4449 In the time I had!). It was all really odd.

It’s sad... when I think of Portland Union Station I think of the pacific parlour cars and the Talgos.

I agree with you, Powell's is over-priced, spent several hours there didn't buy a book, we're spoiled by Half-Price Books in Dallas. Spent a month in Portland, August 2006, (the least rainy month of the year) while my wife was in the hospital. While there, my son and I were refused service in a barbershop on MLK Blvd., LOL. Great food at Widmer Brothers Craft Brewery on Interstate Ave (just down from the hospital). I found the homeless in the park in front of the Legacy Immanuel Hospital to be Christian, kind and empathetic. When back in Texas I enjoyed watching several episodes of Portlandia (but don't think I would now).

In 2011, my wife and I spent several days in Portland while driving the Oregon and California coasts, but by then Portland had deteriorated from weird (like Austin) to dangerous. Have passed through Portland on many occasion on the CS, but the Coast Starlight is no longer the Coast Starlight without the Pacific Parlour Car. We intend to pass through Portland in the future when riding the CS, but will probably fly to Vancouver, BC and ride The Canadian again when it reopens.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Powell's in Chicago is so much better (says one who has never been to the one in Portland).

 

[20th Century Rider]

I think I’ve walked down the street he told you to avoid and it’s not too bad... but you’re literally passing a homeless camp. Ha.

Everyone raves about Powell’s but there prices were so high I didn’t buy anything. I think I’m just spoiled by having a great used book store near me with cheap prices. It’s certsinly a fun place to visit though!

I’ve only tried to visit the lounge once, and had a really bad experience. Others have said how much they enjoyed it so I should give it another try. My visit it was quite crowded and the attendant didn’t want to store my bag and told me I didnt have time to leave the station (I got lunch AND visited the 4449 In the time I had!). It was all really odd.

It’s sad... when I think of Portland Union Station I think of the pacific parlour cars and the Talgos.

I too miss the Pacific Parlor; and the Talgos that I found so comfortable. The last time into the PDX lounge the attendant wasn't so friendly; but I did enjoy the newspapers, magazines, and some coffee. Just part of a continuing decline system wide; hoping for stronger more positive leadership and a cash infusion to keep America's passenger railroads running... and running well!

 

[pennyk]

Staff has locked this thread since many of the responses became political and were not responsive to the question regarding the Portland train station and surrounding area. Staff felt that the OP's question has been answered.