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Unless you’ve been in a bomb shelter or had your nose in a book for the last decade, you know that Portland has a legendary reputation for food, music and quirk. And while college students are notoriously short on time and money, with a little scrimping and planning there are some truly wonderful foods and adventures to be had (fairly inexpensively) here in the Rose City, whether by bicycle, train, bus or on foot. What follows are just a few of our personal favorite spots around town.

Some students at Portland State will go through their entire academic career without exploring Campus Rec. Which is a tremendous waste, because tuition covers almost everything inside the Academic and Student Rec Center, from the swimming pool to the basketball courts to the fitness center.

Welcome to college, a place where your life will change forever in ways you can’t imagine. For many of you, welcome to a new city. A bit overwhelming, no? Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Lots of people will have advice for you as a new college student—some of it good, other bits less so.

Portland State, a 49-acre urban campus that bleeds into the surrounding metropolis, sits nestled in the heart of downtown. Blurring the boundaries between school and city, PSU is more than buildings of bricks and mortar: It is a product of community birthed in conflict and tempered in challenge. From humble beginnings to sprawling urban university, PSU’s roots reach back through decades of opposition, beginning with a world at war.

[portfolio_slideshow id=55015] After a long day of classes, study sessions and, yes, some occasional celebration, students need a place to retire for the night. For those who want to live…

Congratulations, you’ve made it! You have found your way to Portland State University. For some of you, this is a dream come true: You’ve waited all your life to walk…