Usually a “Fantastic!” and whatever else that satisfies the minimum word requirement works for a review, but every now and then I feel compelled to write a little more. Maybe it's the English major in me. Once in awhile you run into a host who sort of leaves an impression and who seems to relish his role as host. Anthony is one of these people who sort of epitomizes the Portland middle-class: well-read, musically inclined, someone who can navigate in and out of different topics with ease and panache. He’s that rare guy at a cocktail party who seriously seems more interested in you than himself. So if you’re passing through town and don’t want to come across as a total sociopath and open to the idea, I highly recommend staying with Anthony and possibly having a conversation with him.
The accommodations were great. The apartment actually looks very much like my old apartment, even down to the wood paneling, so it felt like just like coming home from college again. Cleaner than I remember, though, and with far more kitchen gadgets and bedding. The front living room is on the compact, which is perfect for loafing around. Not much room here for things like TVs or stereo equipment. Anyone hoping for a 75” 4K TV and Netflix will be sorely disappointed. You’ll have to read a book or put together a puzzle or actually talk to somebody or something.
His kids are learning the piano and you might hear them playing at night. They’re getting quite good. It’s worth a listen.
There’s a Trader Joe’s just across the street. If you’re traveling with kids, though, be careful. The street can be fast and there’s not a crosswalk. Reed College is also a short walk away and worth visiting. School was out for the summer when I was there but it still had that stoner vibe about it (FUN FACT: did you know that Reed College is the only place in the world with a nuclear reactor run entirely by undergraduates?). It’s fun to think about.
Getting to the point: This place is fantastic and Anthony is a fantastic person. Whether you’re just crashing for a night on your way elsewhere or planning to stay and explore Portland further, Anthony’s place fits the bill. You won’t lose an arm and a leg to pay for Paris Hilton’s partying lifestyle, and who knows, you might even remember a piano tune or two.