Name: Shawneric Hachey
Age: 39
Occupation: Co-owner and CEO, Addo Novo; freelance designer
Years in Portland: 13
Previous Residence: New York City
Comments:
Portland is a comfortable town - a great place to live and visit, even if we're not as "gay-friendly” as, say, Provincetown. Portlanders (I think that's what we're called) have a "Can't we all just get along?” attitude that makes everyone feel comfortable. While we have gay bars, most of our eating and drinking establishments enjoy a mixed crowd. And lately I've been seeing more same-sex couples holding hands on the street, which is a sign of where we're headed.
Recommended Places & Activities:
Eat. Eat all you can. I've been to a lot of great cities, but I'm always glad to be back in Portland to eat. What's better is you can sample award-winning cuisine for almost half the cost of restaurants in larger cities. My favorites include Fore Street, Street & Company, Bresca, and 555. And when you're done eating, walk. You can walk Portland in a day and see everything - from the Portland Museum of Art to Longfellow House to our many art galleries and shops. If you're here for more than a few days, I recommend using Portland as a base camp for day outings. Several attractions, including Acadia National Park, the White Mountains and miles and miles of coastline, are nearby. Portland may not be the most metropolitan of cities, but we've got character and a distinct appreciation of art, good food, and a great way of life. I also like how easy Portland is. There's rarely a traffic jam. Our airport is small but convenient - I can be in New York City in less than an hour and be back that same day (for pretty cheap).