Reddit mentions of Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon (Crown Journeys)

http://www.amazon.com/Fugitives-Refugees-Portland-Oregon-Journeys/dp/1400047838

>Fugitives and Refugees is a must for anyone who may, in their lives, go to Portland. But its appeal should reach beyond Oregonians. Palahniuk's love of the city is so great, and his stories so weirdly wonderful, it makes one want to get out of the house, get in the car, and drive to Portland right away.

I loved Fugitives and Refugees by Chuck Palahniuk because it really set the tone for how strange aspects of Portland was, although I’m not sure how accurate it remains 15 years later. Still a great book though.

I've lived here for almost 20 years now and probably half the shows I've been to have been at the Roseland. I've always felt like there was something vaguely dark about it, so when I found out about the murder in its history it didn't surprise me a lot. It's definitely a story from the city's Drugstore Cowboy and Fugitives and Refugees days.

First off, I assume you have or will be doing the required reading. Portland is chock full of plucky transplants who have never experienced the joy of being harassed by a homeless person at Saturday Market, an anti-Californian xenophobia campaign or even a Santa riot. Times may have changed, but you should prepare yourself for the following:

• Constant drizzle. You probably caught us on a rare, good week for spring. People I've known who moved here are astounded by the nature of the rain.
  
• Quirky people. And by quirky, I mean facepalm-wtf quirky.
  
• Suburbs that may turn you off to the region (Gresham, Clackamas, Vancouver, I'm lookin' at you) where you may have to live in order to find work.
  
• Everyone under the age of 35 is in a shitty band ... which is acceptable because they're in it for the love of music or something. Anyone who's not in a band is an aspiring graphic designer.
  
• Ironic non-ironic mustaches. Visit one of our charming scene bars (The Tube, anyone?) to learn the true meaning of metairony.
  
• More white people as per the model, than you may be used to dealing with. We're lacking for diversity, conservatives exist only in legend and we keep all the rednecks in reeducation camps called Oregon City and Kelso, WA.
  
• An instant disgust for any other city on the west coast for not keeping it as real as Portland, and the belief that much of the rest of the country is straight out of V For Vendetta.
  
• You'll know at least one annoying epicure who has to talk about this great new place on Mississippi that something horrid, like vegan edamame/lentil pate or donkey bouilbase
  
• A rough job market. Oregon follows only Michigan in unemployment.
  
  If you can get past those caveats, it's a fantastic place and I wish you all the best.

Just know how to pronounce certain rivers and areas.Pick up Chuck Palaniuk's Fugitives and refugees http://www.amazon.com/Fugitives-Refugees-Portland-Oregon-Journeys/dp/1400047838, great read about how Portland was and what its has turned into.Have a bike?Go on some Midnight Mystery Bike rides.Downtown P-town can suck some times.Momo's is a good bar.Don't go to VooDoo doghnuts it's such bullshit.Powell's is cool.There is more to Portland then just Trendy Third and Downtown.Check out SE.it's a lot more fun.

I don't have extensive experience with books on Portland, but I recommend Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon

Everything I said is true: the cash you're willing spend will get you the best in this city. I see you shitbagging me in other comments so I'll just say this:

There is a huge socio-political context that you're entering into. Saying you'll drop enough for the top 1% of housing is going to make people assume a lot about you. You'll have a ton of fun here--those celebrity chefs don't charge as much as they do back home--but if you plan on staying and becoming a part of the community then I recommend watching American Winter and reading Fugitives and Refugees (though it's outdated, sadly the 24 Hour Church of Elvis has closed) to get an idea of whats going on in this city.

You should read Fugitives and Refugees - A Walk in Portland, Oregon.

So this may be a little dated - but I always got a good chuckle out of reading Chuck Palahniuk’s walking tour of Portland. Fugitives and Refugees. Everyone is a little different - but the food is fantastic and there’s a lot to explore. Gift certificates to restaurants, money to go to Mount Hood - anything to take advantage of going into the city.