For people who have ever taken a city bus

Yep. My experience is smelly and filled with druggies. not all.

Other than that, people are nice and friendly.

Not unusual at all, especially given the traffic in many cities.

No. I take hour long bus rides in NYC all the time. If you are afraid, stay in the front of the bus. Cause if loud kids get on they usually go to the back.

Yes, it can take a long time on most any bus. Invest in a powerbank to charge your phone, and get headphones/bluetooth.

Outside of San Francisco, I've never seen violence on a bus personally, but plenty of crackheads. I'm a big guy, so they don't pick me to mess with, but seen others harrassed. Also seen theft. DO NOT reorganize all your stuff on the bus between a stretch of stops, and have your purse strapped to you and not just sitting next to you. Being careless attracts problems. If I worry about falling asleep on a bus, I'll loop my backpack around a leg so it doesn't dissapear by time I wake up.

It's a new experience, and I found it a bit unnerving, however it does get easier and rather interesting.

@DoubleRings really the best thing if using public transport i would try and get a timetable either in paper form or on line so you know the times and what number bus you are going for

It really depends on how far you are going and how many stops the bus has to make.

From the Portland Airport to the Tualitan transit center, it's about 2.5 hours on the #12.