Portland’s left-coast isolation, ambivalence toward established norms and legacy of cooperation and neighborliness—to hew trees and carve out one’s place among the encroaching wilderness—makes this one of the most earnest cities in America. It’s also one of most beautiful, ranking #10 in our deep Place category, including #10 for Neighborhoods and #12 for Parks and Outdoors. One of the zingers in the popular TV show Portlandia identified its lampooned target as a “place young people go to retire.” But it’s more like reinventing themselves, taking what was there all along, finding its best parts and doubling down on what works. The proof of its people is in Portland’s performance: its citizenry ranks #13 for both the Educational Attainment and Household Income subcategories. Portlanders get things done.