Portland is a city that is not afraid of being different and which could serve as a model for other American cities. Its unique identity and lifestyle were shaped by local creative minds that care about sustaining a decent quality of life: through good coffee and food, green transit systems, and independent retail stores.

On Stark Street (pictured above), the Ace Hotel serves as headquarters for curious travelers and as workspace for local residents in search of inspiration and a wireless internet connection. The hotel building also houses Stumptown Coffee, that diffuses a wonderful aroma throughout the lobby and  where each single cup of coffee is made to perfection, and Clyde Common, a restaurant serving foreign and domestic cuisine cooked with local ingredients.

Eclectic Portland, pictured from top left: Coffee shop in East Portland, Voodoo Doughnut, Give/Take a book mailbox, dry cleaner’s window, Deschutes Brewery in Northwest Portland, Old Town.

Cycling is fully integrated in Portland’s culture and way of life: from the urban infrastructure to organizations like Bike Portland, retail spaces such as Veloshop, “public art” made of children’s bicycles. street furniture, or custom frame builders like Sasha White from Vanilla Bicycles.