Affordable, green choices for navigating Portland.

Imagine this: you get into the MIM program, you enroll in classes, and get everything squared away.  But now, how do you get around Portland?  For those unaware, Portland actually has a wide variety of public transportation available, so those without cars can get around.  The range of mobility extends beyond the busses that are the norm for other cities, but actually extends to a light rail system and streetcar, both of which run directly through the Portland State University campus, offering transportation further north in town, as well as transportation across the river, as far as the airport.  These modes of transport are run and maintained by TriMet.

Find yourself wanting to keep yourself a little more active, and skip motorized transportation to get you around?  Portland’s got you covered there too.  Portland has been a very bike friendly city for years now, and it doesn’t seem like a fading trend by any means.  Just recently on campus, an independent bike lane has been created, meaning that there is a devoted lane just for bikes, guaranteeing a safer ride for bikers.  The University is also very much involved in promoting this healthier and greener way to get around town, and they maintain a bicycle cooperative to help students get what they need.

Personally, I grew up in the suburbs surrounding Portland, and the whole idea of public transportation is a little more foreign to me – I like to use it when I can, but still can’t bring myself to sell my car, and give up that freedom.  Portland actually has a very affordable, and green solution!  Portland just so happens to be a Zipcar enabled city, meaning that you can sell off your car (or resist buying one, depending on your situation), and sign up for a Zipcar license.  This means that you don’t have to pay for gas, car insurance, or a parking pass on campus (nearly $300 per term), and get all the maneuverability of having a car.  To be honest, this is something that I have been considering, as classes keep me busy enough that I really only have time to even drive anywhere once every week or so.

Portland does have a lot to offer, and acts as an incredible base of operations for the Masters of International Management program, so I hope these little tidbits of information help prospective students get an idea of just how easy it can be to see the most of Portland!

-パトリック