Portland

Situated in the Pacific Northwest, Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon and the county seat of Multnomah County. It is named after a city of the same name on the coast of Maine, with the decision supposedly made through a coin toss. Estimated population was 632,309 as of 2015. The Portland metropolitan statistical area is considered the 23rd most populous in the country with nearly 2.4 million people. City inhabitants are called Portlanders.

Portland is located where the Willamette and Columbia River meet. This creates a scenic setting with nice waterways and lush greenery. The climate is temperate with both Mediterranean and oceanic characteristics. The city experiences summers that are warm and dry, while winters are cool and rainy. This makes Portland an ideal location for rose planting and is responsible for it being nicknamed the "City of Roses." It is a clean, environmentally-conscious place good for raising a family. The city was ranked 8th among the most popular cities in the U.S. where people desire to live in a 2009 study by Pew Research Center.

Since the 1990s, Portland economy has witnessed a boost in its technology industry with the arrival of top companies such as Intel. It is a popular city among young people and ranks among the top cities in the country that attract the most college-educated individuals. Portland boasts one of the best mass transit systems in the U.S. It has a reputation of having an extensive park system featuring over 200 parks.