When I first moved to Portland, I was contracted with a non-profit through AmeriCorps. My plan was finish off a year and see where life took me. I was completely open to moving and decided to stay! Here are some things I wish I took advantage of as soon as I landed in Portland.

1. Buy a McMenamins Passport

First or second time in Portland? You may have heard about a trendy chain of bars/restaurants all over Oregon and Washington – McMenamins. The story is, two brothers opened the first theater pub in Portland called the Mission Theater. Now they are known for a variety of bars and hotels that came from abandoned buildings like churches and schools that give it a haunted, edgy vibe (I love it).

After much growth, McMenamins started a passport program to help people adventure around all of the locations with perks to boot! Enter any bar and pay $35 to get started. For every page you complete, you get a prize (think appetizer, burger, beer glass, journal even). You don’t need to buy anything to get a stamp, but there are “Experience” pages that if you do spend money, you get a $20 gift card for every 4th experience. Experiences range from seeing a movie to playing pool. I’ve earned like, four gift cards.

The funnest part to all this is, when you complete your passport, you receive the following:
-Happy Hour prices for a year
-A hotel stay
-Concert Tickets
-An invite to an exclusive Cosmic Tripper Party

I know people who have completed their passport in a year, and buy one every year. I know people who buy them as a gift for their partners to complete together. For me, I take my time with it and simply check them off with friends or during a solo date. I have completed it over six years and wish I would’ve bought it sooner! Want to learn more about it? Visit their website.

2. Buy a National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass

Looking to explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest while you’re here? There are incredible places to see, and they are not cheap, especially if you go as a group. Most parks I see are $15/person or $30/vehicle. The pass is $80/year and let’s you (the pass holder) and 3 others to enter without per-person fees. Whether you are living here for a year or don’t know yet, might as well get one if you plan on going to any parks in the U.S. While you live here, I recommend seeing following:

• Crater Lake National Park
• Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
• Olympic National Park
• Mount Rainier National Park
• John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
• North Cascades National Park

3. Expect to Move Fast on Housing

Finding housing is already hard enough in Portland. In the six times I’ve moved, I had about 1-2 weeks to work with. Because of the competitive housing here, I was never able to nail down an apartment a month in advance. Is your internship only six months and not a year? Can’t afford to live alone? Some apartments that are cheap and I’ve had luck renting through are:

• American Property Management (month-to-month leases)
• Lu Don Apartments (year leases)
• Any apartments on Rently (usually year leases)

I want to note that the apartments I am recommending are not your high-rise, fancy buildings. They’re regular, family and single housing. Expect old appliances, carpet, and bad insulation. But – if you’re in a pinch and just looking for something to live in, it’ll do for a year (or even months).

Looking for something nicer and are willing to share spaces? Join Facebook groups for roommates in Portland. Or better yet, ask your internship if they can connect you with other new interns to check if they want to room together.

4. Buy Local

Portland is known for its quirks – take advantage of that! As satisfying (and addicting) places like Starbucks and Amazon are, Portland wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for those putting community first. Looking to buy a book? Buy a used one from Powell’s. Looking to buy a new plant? Skip Home Depot and head to Birds & Bees. There are tons of small-businesses looking for your support. While you explore your new neighborhood, begin investing in it as well!