We Asked Fashionable People Where They Were From and Why They Moved to Portland

Our favorite looks this week.

(Samuel Gehrke)
By Sam Gehrke

Street_Samuel-Gehrke_Cindy_4324 Cindy: “I’m from Queens, N.Y. I moved to Portland for dance and to check out the West Coast.”

Street_Samuel-Gehrke_timbredavey1_4324
Davey: “I was raised in Southern California. I moved up here with her (Timbre) to be closer to her grandparents. Plus I really love it up here.” Timbre: “I grew up in Hong Kong, and we recently moved up here from California for my grandparents, as he said.”

Michael: "I'm from Memphis, Tenn., originally. I'm visiting Portland for an extended stay, and considering living here eventually."

Street_Samuel-Gehrke_Mark_4324 Mark: “I grew up in Phoenix, Ariz. I came up to Portland for school.”

Street_Samuel-Gehrke_lydell_4324 Lydell: “I’m Portland born and raised. Sometimes I think about moving to Los Angeles. They have a better sneaker culture.”

Street_Samuel-Gehrke_Jenny_4324 Jenny: “Born and raised in Portland. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!”

Cye: "I grew up in Oxnard, CA, and I moved to Portland for the weather and the trees!"

Street_Samuel-Gehrke_Cole_4324Cole: “I grew up in Sherwood and moved to Portland when I was 18. I lived on the East Coast for a couple of years, so I could see myself moving back there at some point in my life.”

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.