Portland use to be cool to visit 20 years ago as a small town dude. It hasn't been enjoyable or safe in a while downtown because of what Keith mentioned and more. I use to deliver air freight downtown and you'd be hard pressed to not find a group or bums following you and trying to set a robbery. Theyd follow you into buildings etc. Portland has turned into a giant shithole and it's not blown out of proportion, unless as said it's something you're into. Saturday market and the food scene use to be awesome. It won't ever be the same.