*This post was originally going to be named “The world is my oyster office” but I really wanted to do a strike through. 

Working part-time as a freelancer, full-time as a job seeker, I  need to get out of the house a lot. I find there is a limit to how long I can concentrate in my apartment with a pile of laundry that needs folding and my TV taunting me with fresh episodes of Game of Thrones.

This is why I love coffee shops. I’m lucky to live in a city that seems to get the value of a good salon, where you can park yourself for hours taking up table space, abusing their free internet and plugging in your computer for the meager price of a cup of joe (and hopefully a healthy tip to your barista!)

Here are a few places I’ve called home in the last few weeks:

1. Crema

 Located: SE 28th and Ankeny, across from Zim Zim, one of my favorite gift shops!

Atmosphere: Laid-back, cool rotating art and an airy, open and somewhat modern space. Tends to get busy on weekends- and don’t let the chill hipster clientele fool you. If you break their “no claiming a table before ordering” policy, you might just get cut.

I recommend: Their breakfast sandwiches are the best in Portland, and their very strong Vietnamese coffee has made a friend practically vibrate out of her seat before.

2. Bare Bones Cafe

Located: SE 29th and Belmont. This cafe and Crema are both easily within walking distance of my apartment, so I tend to be a little biased toward them.

Atmosphere: Distinctly bohemian, a perfect place to sit and read or catch up with friends. The little details add to the charming persona of this cafe, with table top succulents, distressed wood floors, and a killer bloody mary for those

I recommend: Sitting in the window area! You can see all of Belmont drive/walk/skate/double-tall-bicycle ride by!

3. Bipartisan Cafe

Located: SE 79th and Stark, across from one of my favorite pizza places of all time- Flying Pie.

Atmosphere: Every time I come here, I get the feeling that this is where a modern French revolution could be planned. It’s a bustling atmosphere with an open kitchen, a mixed set of quirky furniture, and no shortage of the local papers and patrons coming together to discuss what I always assume is modern-day marxism. That might just be me though.

I recommend: Anything baked! But especially their delicious pies.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 (Today)