loved living in pdx, were some of the best years.
you probably want to live on the east side of the river, downtown is expensive. try looking in woodstock, foster powell, around 82nd and outer NE/north portland for cheaper places.
don't really know what else you want to know, portland has a ton of stuff going on.
don't let people who haven't lived in pdx goon you about how expensive it is. it's not that bad, and its certainly better than seattle, sf or la. plus pdx is fucking rad.