The US federal budget is 23% of the economy. This little office is one portal to a vast system. Of…read morecourse, to scale, is an online system to handle the vast bulk of interactions. I needed an all-so-quaint in-person interaction, on a timeline, I dreaded. I arrived a half hour before opening, I would recommend. Street parking was ample. The pre-opening lineup is ad-hoc. The first point is that it is a secure federal facility inspected politely. No guns, knives, or pepper spray. That is a good idea, I would not let those in my home, and each person is inspected, which takes time. Next is the magic kiosk. The kiosk user experience design is to separate the wheat from the chaff and assign a number to speak to an actual person. The first question is the bureaucratese "did you have an appointment?" I did not, you should. Then you enter your topic. There is ambiguity in topic. I do not think selecting the perfect topic is needed. Then the machine gives you a number and prints a receipt. There are rows of chairs and a video monitor showing the numbers served and audio announcing the next number. When a number comes up, it assigns a window with an actual person with powerful computer access into the matrix. Obviously you need the proper proof of who you are to access the matrix - bring it. RealID, passport, and the like. Your library card is not proof of who you are to enter the matrix. The big thing which cannot be understood is without a previously scheduled appointment, is your question big or small? There is no way to know. It's Brazil. I thankfully found my question was small. Without an appointment, and with a big problem, you are sent away with a future appointment. I had good service from admission staff and with window staff. I believe things can improve every day, day by day, measured. I'm A-OK with this office when you need it, minus 1 for unknown difference between big and small problems and unknown delays for big problems, especially without making an appointment, which you should.

Flummoxed and befuddled. SS is not here to help us but to hinder us from getting money that is…read morerightfully ours. I've yet to have an interaction that was easy, helpful and successful.

I was not expecting a two hour wait and was grateful to meet some very nice people also waiting…read more One of them had been there the day before but was being harassed by the security guy so came back that day hoping it would be someone else. He was A LOT and seemed very much wanting to be a bit in your face. I was trying to be nice and that did not seem to have an effect on his snatchy nature. Me and the other two I was talking to were just chatting and he kept coming back and looking around as if we might be shooting heroin together. It was way weird because the office is small and you can see the whole room from his desk. But it is like the DMV though I guess you can make an appointment. I do not know if that is helpful - one of the people waiting said he had done that and it was not helpful. The person working there was a sweetheart and even gave me a heads up about the person working on my stuff so that was appreciated. It has been a long time since I had to have them do something. Again, like the DMV, once you get a person they are usually quite lovely and just doing their jobs but appreciate a smiling friendly face so try not to take your wait time out on them since they are overworked just like the rest of us.

Impossible to get a hold of through the website. You end up calling numbers nonstop. I recommend…read morefinding your local SS office phone number and calling to schedule an appointment or to keep them moving on your application for Medicare. Which probably won't be around much longer

In my experience, any interaction with a government agency is about as fun as having teeth pulled…read more However, both of my visits to the Multnomah County building, the first to apply for passports for my two baby sons, and the second to make a correction to a typo in one of them (not the fault of Mult. Co, BTW), the gentleman working window 8, whose name I have shamefully failed to note, was friendly, patient, and helpful, answer questions and ensuring that all forms were filled out properly, and all fees and required documents clearly specified. What could have been a painful, confusing process was mitigated by his professional attitude, knowledge, and patience. Many, many thanks to this gentleman!

Easy place to find. Free street parking. Parking Lot across the street.Came in with my Passport…read moreinfo in tact and whithin 5 minutes I was done and $135.00 less but im getting my Passport. Food of the world. You've been warned!

Children's swim classes for my grandson opened for registration last Thurs at 9:30 am. I was told…read morethat was the earliest time anyone could enroll. I had the info ready and at exactly 9:29 I called. I was on hold for approximately 90 seconds and when the operator came on she said the class I wanted was full. In fact she said every class was full. IN 90 SECONDS OF BEING ON HOLD???? I had her put him on every waitlist. The next day I get an email saying they removed him from the wait-list at my request. I never requested any such thing. Either it's all Shady or the staff is completely incompetent

These folks get a well-deserved 5 stars!…read more Because of the complexity of my company's reservation, it took two phone calls to complete everything. Esther and Rolando were both very helpful. I even got a phone call 2 days later to let me know my permits were approved. Then, I needed to go to the PP&R office to pick up the permits and access key. Things didn't go completely smooth, because some notes didn't get added to my reservation in the computer system. BUT, they were very nice and very helpful. They got it figured out and I was in/out within about 10/minutes.

Not sure why so many negative reviews. This small post office services the downtown neighborhood…read moreand businesses across from Tom McCall Park on the waterfront. Yes, to get there if driving you have to navigate one way streets, but most are locals and walk. if driving, come down SW 1st and park right out front in the 15 minute spot. I've been utilizing this post office for years and the staff is always friendly and helpful. When I ask for the lowest price on return packages, they check various options without hesitation. While I've never used their passport services, which seems to be where issues are, I have bought supplies and sent out multiple packages, purchased holiday stamps and visit here to return prepaid packages - all with no issue and friendly service.

The rudest staff members not recommended for passport appointments No customer service at all the…read moreway they speak with customer is way rude.

What a fabulous new location! Everything is shiny, new, and…read moresqueaky clean :) They provide several private "Community Rooms" that can be reserved They even rent laptops Staff was super helpful I'm so glad to see all this!

The new building is beautiful and spacious and includes study rooms, group rooms, etc. They are now…read moremore easily able to have events for various groups like teen and tween councils, game night, anime group, etc. Some of these events include volunteers (always very friendly). There is an adorable area for young children. They have lots of computers and desks as well making it a great place to quietly study, read, or just escape the Portland rain. The staff are incredibly helpful and friendly. This location has more room for books as well :) In addition much of the furniture use repurposed and salvaged material. The building is incredibly sustainable and IIRC is LEED certified (yes I had a chat w/ a librarian about this).

Got in and out pretty quickly for a transfer of title and the reception gentleman was actually…read morereally friendly, which I didn't expect at a DMV. Using appointments is the way to go otherwise it could be an extreme wait. I came in and had an estimate of four hours for service and then I just made a quick appointment and got seen sooner. There was a really angry guy yelling at the women receptionist for some reason who caused a huge scene so that was a little fun, but I felt bad for the receptionist.

The newer way of things (since I swear it changes with each DMV and over time) is that you go into…read morean immediate line for a person who you say what you want to do and they tell you how to do it, what forms you need and instruct you with a few pro tips like, "Don't forget to sign and that that form you are holding." Unfortunately I was number 450 and they were at 396 so I was waiting over two hours to get called. Last year I helped work to Oregon getting a pollinators plate for the state which provides funds to the pollinators educational program at OHSU. I had my certificate to get my new plate (which is beautifully designed by a 16 year old Estacada student). When my number was called it was then fast and easy to get my new plates. The folks that work at this location all seem very friendly and knowledgeable. Ad it was there was a guy sitting fairly close to me. I got the impression he has sat down due to fatigue. One of the staff came over to update him. When the person trying to help was letting him know his wait time he kept interrupting her and barking at her. I was trying not to overhear but she was so kind even with his nature. I was impressed and relieved when he finally seemed to listen to her telling him she was sorry for the delay in whatever and that they were trying to get to his issue. I get it - people go in pissed off from the start so I definitely appreciate the kindness while they are trying to do their job and navigate very hostile people.

I tried to avoid coming to "Keep Portland Weird" because I'd heard it is overrated since it's just…read morea wall in a parking lot, but honestly, I just couldn't resist not checking it out. FOMO, here :) It's basically just that phrase (haha) on its own without any fancy graphics, but I wanted to share my reviews and be part of the Yelp community. So, I added a little twist by including a collage of interesting trash bins. I guess this is one way to keep Portland clean, too. I have never seen so many trash cans throughout the city. Hahahah :)) Classic tourist trap move, but honestly, you cannot be in Portland without acknowledging this area.

I love murals, but the most annoying thing about them can be cars in the way of getting a good view…read moreor picture of them. I stumbled up the Keep Portland Weird mural while out walking around on our first morning while Ben was sleeping. It was during the week so cars were already there parked to be able to work. I wasn't thinking about the day/time at first until I was walking around the same area (close to our hotel) during one of the weekend mornings and realized how the day/time comes into play while trying to take photos of the different murals. There are several other murals close by that are also worth the few extra steps

There are bridges... and then there's the Steel Bridge a true Portland original that doesn't just…read moreget you across the river, it gives you a front-row seat to the city itself. Coming in by train, this is where it hits you. That slow roll over the Willamette, the tracks shifting as you glide onto the bridge it's iconic. Built in 1912 by the Union Pacific Railroad, with Union Station standing proudly nearby, this bridge has been welcoming travelers into Portland for over a century. And it's no ordinary structure it's one of the only double-deck vertical lift bridges in the world, carrying trains, cars, bikes, and pedestrians all at once. But here's the part I love most on foot. Walk it, take your time, and look out. You get one of the best viewpoints of Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the river bending through the city, and that full loop that calls your name if you're in the mood to move. It's the kind of spot that makes a simple walk feel like an experience. Historic, hardworking, and still showing off this bridge isn't just part of Portland... it is Portland.

It has been a minute since I walked over this bridge but it is a lovely walk leading you to the…read moreends of both parks on either side. If bike riding is your speed, you can also do that! The Max uses it for it's crossing over to the MODA Center stop so you will cross it if you are going that way.

The Portland Chinatown was aesthetically so pretty, with moral all around, red light posts, street…read morenames in Chinese and English. There was a gorgeous Chinatown gate at the intersection of 4th Ave and Burnside St. In front the gate, there were dragon statues. There was some a net hanging under the arch that severely undermined the beauty of the landmark. There were few restaurants and shops around. But whole place was a ghost down. I have never seen a Chinatown so dead in the middle of the day. There were suspicious people sitting/sleeping on the sidewalks. We were spooked so much so, we just walked a bit around the main gate and left. Unfortunately among the fourteen Chinatowns I have been around USA, this was by far the most mediocre one.

Sightseeing in Portland, Oregon…read more.. After I read the reviews, I was prepared for the disappointment. I warned my niece and we agreed to just walk around for a few minutes. I wouldn't recommend coming to Portland's Chinatown because of the vagrants loitering around and the lack of restaurants and souvenir shops in the area. We stopped in at a convenience store, but they only had canned goods, beverages, and glass pipes. The Chinese Garden had an admission fee and low ratings, too. It was a chilly, overcast, drizzly day, so we drove to an enclosed mall to shop and have dinner.