why are you here?

Yesterday I had a phone conversation with a friend from law school, who moved to NYC after she graduated. This girl grew up in rural Iowa, yet completely fits the New York lifestyle, to such an extent that likes to ask me "what exactly is it about Portland that you love so much?"

It made me think. I'm not one of those people who carries around ready answers to a question like this in my head, the same as I really don't think too much about why I like chocolate chip cookies.

For me the answer is more of a combination of things: familiarity with the state, the cleanliness of the city, its size, its emphasis on greenspace and public art and gardens, its central location to an incredible variety of outdoor activities, etc.

Anyway, I'm curious.

Why are you here? What exactly is it about Portland that you love so much?

Happy Monday. :)