Portland Speak
Lingo you need to know before moving to Portland!
Now you’ve learned all about “Pilot Speak,” here are some words and phrases you’ll need to know about the great city of Portland before you officially call it home.
(Quick reminder: don’t forget to use your official class hashtag #UP20)
23rd — NW 23rd is filled with many shops and restaurants that are popular with the under-30 crowd. Together with NW 21st, it is the main street in the Nob Hill neighborhood. (15 minutes from campus.)
Alberta — NE Alberta is the heart of the Alberta Arts district and has several art galleries, shops, and restaurants. On the last Thursday of every month, Alberta hosts a festival for creatives, artists, musicians, and street performers. (15 minutes from campus.)
The Coast — It’s not the beach or the shore… true Oregonians call it the coast! Globally renowned for its rugged beauty, the Oregon Coast offers everything from sandy beaches and quaint towns to world-class hiking, camping, and surfing. If you go, be sure to bring a jacket! (90 minutes from campus.)
Division — Located in SE Portland, Division St. is home to some of Portland’s most famous restaurants. (20 minutes from campus.)
Downtown — Downtown Portland is located on the west bank of the Willamette River, in SW Portland. It is home to some of Portland’s main cultural destinations (the Portland Art Museum, the Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Keller Auditorium) as well as countless restaurants, bars, and events. (20 minutes from campus.)
Farmer’s Market — Portland hosts weekly Farmer’s Markets all over the city, where you can purchase farm-fresh produce and artisanal food items. Check PortlandFarmersMarket.org for hours and locations.
Forest Park — One of the largest city parks in the country, Forest Park is visible across the Willamette River from campus and offers more than 70 miles of hiking and jogging trails. (15 minutes from campus.)
Freddie’s — Fred Meyer grocery store, your one-stop chopping center located less than a mile away from campus.
The Gorge — The Columbia River Gorge is home to countless waterfalls, breath-taking views, and world-class hiking trails. Popular spots include Multnomah Falls, Angel’s Rest, Oneonta Gorge, and Dog Mountain. (30–45 minutes from campus.)
Hawthorne — SE Hawthorne is one of the streets that helps keep Portland weird. Located in the heart of vibrant and fun SE Portland, Hawthorne is famous for its counter-culture shops. (Apx. 20 min from campus.)
The MAX — MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) is Portland’s lightrail system and connects downtown Portland with Beaverton, Clackamas, Gresham, Hillsboro, North/Northeast Portland, Southeast Portland, Milwaukie, and the Portland International Airport. The closest MAX stop to campus is at the intersection of N. Interstate and N. Rose Parks. (Apx. 10 minutes from campus.)
McMenamin’s — A chain of 65 restaurants, brewpubs, music venues, historic hotels, and movie theaters. Famous for restoring historic buildings (such as the St. John’s Pub and the Kennedy School), there is a McMenamin’s location in nearly every Portland neighborhood.
Mississippi/Williams — N. Mississippi and N. Williams are home to one of Portland’s hottest neighborhoods, featuring a long stretch of shops, restaurants, music venues, and bars. (10 minutes from campus.)
NoPo — Nickname for North Portland, the area of Portland where UP is located.
PDX — Portland International Airport, rated the country’s best airport several times. PDX is also a nickname for the city of Portland. (20 minutes from campus.)
The Pearl — One of Portland’s poshest neighborhoods, the Pearl District (located just north of downtown in NW Portland) offers a wide variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants. On the first Thursday of every month, the Pearl District hosts a district-wide celebration where art galleries and businesses stay open late to debut new exhibitions with free food and wine. (15 minutes from campus.)
Pioneer Courthouse Square — Affectionately known as “Portland’s Living Room,” Pioneer Courthouse Square is located in downtown Portland and hosts a wide variety of events, including the annual Christmas tree lighting.
Rip City — What fans of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers call Portland.
Rose City — The official nickname for Portland, sometimes also worded as “City of Roses.”
Rose Quarter — The Rose Quarter is located near downtown in N/NE Portland, and is home to the Moda Center (where the Portland Trailblazers play) and the Memorial Coliseum. It is also one of the city’s main public transportation hubs.
Saturday Market — Saturday Market is a large outdoor arts and crafts market located in downtown Portland. It takes place every Saturday and Sunday from March until Christmas.
Soccer City USA — A nickname for Portland, due to the city’s world-famous support for the Portland Timbers of the MLS, the Portland Thorns of the NWSL, and — of course! — the Portland Pilots.
St. Johns — The neighborhood northwest of the University, with many shops, restaurants, and the famous St. Johns Bridge and Cathedral Park. (5 minutes from campus.)
The Streetcar — The Portland Streetcar is a public transportation option that services areas surrounding downtown Portland, including NW 23rd, the South Waterfront, and the Central Eastside.
Stumptown — A common nickname for Portland. The name originated from the many stumps created when Portland first became a city.
Swan Island — The shipyard and industrial area on the Willamette River that is visible from campus.
Tri-Met — Portland’s public transportation system, including bus and The MAX (light rail). Two bus lines stop next to campus: the #44 and the #35. Both connect to the Rose Quarter and downtown Portland.
Washington Park — Located just above downtown Portland, Washington Park is home to the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Japanese Garden, among many other attractions. (20 minutes from campus.)
