Hey,
gmku, have you read "Fugitives & Refugees" by Chuck Palahniuk?
If not, ya should. Look it up.
Things I personally associate with Portland: thousands upon thousands of roses, walking in the rain, 'My Own Private Idaho' and Gus Van Sant, Elliott Smith and The Decemberists, Suicide Girls, 'Geek Love' and Katherine Dunn, Powell's bookstore, Chuck Palahniuk, little record shops and bars.
Yeah, if I ever moved to America, Portland's where I'd move to. Hope you enjoy it.