Why Move to Portland, Oregon? Consider These 6 Aspects of the City
It’s time for a change, and you’ve been wondering, “Should I move to Portland?”
With its milder climate, greener scenery, and unique vibe, The City of Roses is a great place to call home.
Here, we share our 30 years of experience as Portland residents and real estate professionals and present you with everything you need to know about moving to Portland, Oregon
Table of Contents
- Is Portland, Oregon, Worth Moving To?
- 6 Things to Consider to Help Answer the Question, “Should I Move to Portland?”
- #1: Portland Is a City That Feels Like a Big Town
- #2: Portland Is Green
- #3: Portland Makes it Easy to Escape to Nature
- #4: Portland Is a Manageable Size
- #5: Portland Has a ‘Craft’ Culture
- #6: Portland Has a Wide Variety of Job Opportunities
- Thinking of Moving to Portland, Oregon? Hoag Real Estate Has 30 Years of Experience, Let Us Help You Decide if It’s the Right Move for You
Is Portland, Oregon, Worth Moving To?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want a city with plenty of job opportunities, that is …
- Unique
- Friendly
- Surrounded by nature
- Environmentally-conscious
- Easy to navigate
- Diverse; and
- Filled with culture
… moving to Portland, may be for you.
If you’re wondering if you should move to Portland, Oregon, Peggy Hoag Real Estate can help! Get in touch with us today and put our years of experience in the Portland area to work for you.
6 Things to Consider to Help Answer the Question, “Should I Move to Portland?”
#1: Portland Is a City That Feels Like a Big Town
With a population of 645,291, it may be hard to imagine that Portland could have anything other than a city feel.
But as large as it may seem, Portland really feels like one big town, and here’s why:
The People Are Friendly, the Vibe Is Casual
If you’re moving to Portland, Oregon, you’ll immediately get a feel for its laid-back atmosphere.
You’ll find plenty of crafts, bookstores, and plants that help promote a relaxed and casual lifestyle.
The dress code is casual, with jeans and outdoor apparel being acceptable attire for many occasions.
The people of Portland are friendly and highly value their work-life balance.
And who can blame them? The perks of living in the Pacific Northwest are something you’ll want to take time to enjoy.
The Neighborhoods Are Unique
If you’re bored by cities filled with cookie-cutter neighborhoods, Portland will be sure to please.
Here, the charm is found in our unique, one-of-a-kind neighborhoods that are scattered throughout the city.
Each neighborhood has a diverse feel, making it easy to find the perfect neighborhood for you.
Some of Portland’s most popular neighborhoods include:
- Downtown
- West End
- Pearl District
- Nob Hill
- Arlington Heights
- Mississippi; and
- Hillside
#2: Portland Is Green
When we say that Portland, Oregon, is green, we mean it.
Not only is our landscape gloriously green for most of the year, but we are also quite proud to say we’re environmentally green, as well.
Literally Green
Portland’s climate can best be described as oceanic with Mediterranean influences. This means that:
- Summers are warm and sunny with cool nights
- Rainfall is frequent; and
- Winter is fairly mild
This unique climate keeps Portland and the surrounding areas beautifully green for the majority of the year.
Figuratively Green
Overall, Portland is a VERY environmentally-conscious city.
And by VERY, we mean that Portland merchants aren’t even allowed to offer plastic bags to their customers.
Portland’s green-friendly culture includes …
- Recycling
- Composting
- Up-cycling; and
- Reusing
… anything and everything that its residents can think of to cut back on consumer waste.
Deemed the 3rd greenest city in America, Portland recently passed a 1% gross receipt tax on large corporations, with the revenue going to fund energy efficiency incentives in under-served communities.
#3: Portland Makes it Easy to Escape to Nature
High on the list of perks of moving to Portland, Oregon, is the easy access to diverse forms of nature — both within the city and nearby.
Here are a few of the places that are popular with Portlanders:
Within City Limits
The Arboretum: Just ten minutes from downtown, the ½ mile trail of the Arboretum makes for a lovely 30-minute loop. Bicycles are not allowed on the trail, so you’ll be able to enjoy a quiet walk on your own or bring a friend for a peaceful chat.
Forest Park Wildwood Trail: This 29.5-mile point-to-point trail is known for its beautiful wildflowers. The trail is accessible all year-round and is used for:
- Hiking
- Running
- Nature trips; and
- Bird watching
Dogs are welcome to accompany you on this trail but must be kept on a leash.
A Quick Drive Away
The Columbia River Gorge: Forged by the Columbia River and located just 30 miles to the east of Portland, the Gorge offers:
- Amazing views
- Mountain biking
- Hiking
- Windsurfing
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding; and
- Glorious sunsets
The Gorge also boasts over 90 waterfalls!
Multnomah Falls: Fed by underground springs flowing from Larch Mountain, The Falls is the most highly visited natural recreation site in all the Pacific Northwest.
The Oregon Coast: Spanning over 363 miles, the Oregon coast is as diverse as Portland’s neighborhoods. Enjoy:
- Sandy beaches
- Rugged seaside cliffs
- Lighthouses
- Redwood National Park
- Astoria (Home of the “Goonies”)
- Seal Rock State Park
- Cannon Beach
- Unique rock formations; and
- Lush vegetation
#4: Portland Is a Manageable Size
Unlike many cities, Portland is easy to navigate.
Using Alternative Transportation Is Feasible
Another perk about moving to Portland, Oregon, is that alternative transportation is not only available, but it’s easily accessible and widely used.
Alternative transportation options include:
- Biking
- Ride-share
- Streetcars
- Busses
- Electric scooters
- TriMet
- WES commuter rail; and
- MAX light rail
And Portland is the perfect city for those who prefer to walk.
Traffic … It Could Be Worse
Because Portland isn’t a big city, it has had a few challenges when it comes to adjusting to the influx of people in the area.
If you’re moving to Portland, Oregon, from an area like L.A. or San Francisco, you’ll think the traffic is great. But, keep in mind that commutes in and out of the city during rush hour can take an hour or more.
#5: Portland Has a ‘Craft’ Culture
If you’re still wondering why you should move to Portland, Oregon, consider the “craft” culture the city has cultivated.
From …
- Music
- Art
- Beer
- Coffee
- Micro vineyards
- Food carts; and
- Fine dining
… Portlanders are serious about what they’re creating.
The Craft Beer, Food, and Coffee Scene
Portlanders mean business when it comes to beer, especially IPAs and craft beers.
There are over 58 breweries within the city alone, including:
- Ruse Brewing
- Gigantic Brewing
- Wayfinder Beer; and
- Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House
And if you’re a coffee-lover, you’ll be in heaven in Portland.
Whether you love a good cup of Joe or simply are a fan of the coffee shop vibe, be sure to check out:
- Good Coffee
- Case Study Coffee Roasters
- Deadstock Coffee Roasters
- Never Coffee
- Stumptown Coffee
- Roseline Coffee
- Cathedral Coffee; and
- Café Reina
Loyalty to Small Businesses and Local Artisans
If you’re moving to Portland, Oregon from pretty much anywhere else, you may be surprised at the lack of chain stores.
In Portland, local is the way to go, and you’ll find a wide variety of local businesses, including local:
- Grocery stores
- Breweries
- Bookstores
- Coffee roasters
- Clothing boutiques; and
- Food carts
Portland is even the home to Powell’s, the world’s largest independent bookstore, which was founded in 1971 and boasts over 2 million in-stock offerings.
#6: Portland Has a Wide Variety of Job Opportunities
Another great perk about moving to Portland, Oregon, is the diverse options when it comes to the job market.
Big-Name Companies and Nonprofits Alike
Many top technologies, health, and sports companies call Portland home, including:
- Nike
- Under Armour
- Keen
- Columbia Sportswear
- Daimler Trucks North America
- Cambia Health Solutions
- Qorvo
- Tektronix
- Adidas North America
- FLIR Systems; and
- Total Quality Logistics
Portland’s nonprofits include:
- Nonprofit Association of Oregon
- Oregon Wild
- Unite Oregon
Large Remote Workforce
Do you prefer to work from home?
If so, you’ll fit right in.
Portland has been named the 5th best work-from-home city, with about 9.6% of the population working remotely.
Thinking of Moving to Portland, Oregon? Hoag Real Estate Has 30 Years of Experience, Let Us Help You Decide if It’s the Right Move for You
With over 30 years in the real estate business, Peggy Hoag and her team have helped hundreds of families relocating to Portland.
They take great pride in Portland and in everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer, and are ready to share their expertise.
With countless awards and over $1.4 billion in closed homes over the past few decades, their reputation speaks for itself.
If you’re moving to Portland, Oregon, and want the best service real estate has to offer, look no further than Peggy Hoag Real Estate.