Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Portland
Moving to Portland at a glance:
- Portland has roughly 840,000 residents in the city proper, with only under 2.v million in the greater metro surface area. The cost of living is 16.eight% college than the national average.
- Portland is ane of just ii cities in the U.S. with a dormant volcano in its city limits.
- The top industries in Portland are technology, athletic and outdoor apparel, manufacturing, and healthcare.
- Portland is the "unofficial" earth-broad headquarters for outdoor and sporting apparel. Big names such as Nike, Adidas, Columbia Sportswear, and Keen footwear all make their homes here.
- Portland was named the "Best Foodie Metropolis in America" by WalletHub in 2019.
- In that location are more nutrient carts per capita in Portland than anywhere else in North America.
Moving to Portland: The basics
What's the population of Portland?
Co-ordinate to the last U.S. Demography count in 2019, the population of the city of Portland was 653,115, then the city has grown a lot since then with more than than 840,000 residents. Young professionals flock to the city, making Portland'south median historic period nigh 37, with 69% of the population between the ages of 18 and 64.
Currently, the gender divide in Portland is pretty even. And if y'all're moving to Portland and looking for love, y'all're in luck. Nearly 57% of the city'due south residents are single.
Dave Newman / Shutterstock
What is the cost of living in Portland?
The toll of living in the metropolis is 16.8% higher than the national average across-the-lath. Housing costs are a key factor driving upward those costs. In fact, the boilerplate home price is $621,629 — significantly higher than the national median of $248,857 according to Zillow (though, it varies by state). The boilerplate rent is also higher in Portland, coming in around $2,530/mo.
Groceries also tend to be on the more expensive side compared to other places. When walking down the grocery shop aisle, wait to pay $four.36 for a loaf of bread, $1.59 for a half-gallon of milk, and $2.04 for a dozen eggs.
Merely incomes are generally higher in Portland. The boilerplate salary in the city is $52,296.
See beneath how Portland stacks upwards compared to other similarly-sized cities in the U.Due south., and major metropolitan areas, such as New York Urban center.
| City Proper noun | Population | Price of Living (Compared to National Average) | Boilerplate Salary | Boilerplate Domicile Price | Average Rent |
| Portland, OR | 841,711 | +16.8% | $52,296 | $621,629 | $2,530/mo. |
| Memphis, TN | 696,551 | -18.vii% | $36,419 | $254,517 | $783/mo. |
| Detroit, MI | 673,342 | -0.2% | $48,986 | $339,937 | $1,127/mo. |
| New York City | 1,577,385 | +141.iv% | $53,996 | $2,105,921 | $5,063/mo. |
*Data from MyMove's Cost of Living Computer sourced from the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index
How's the Portland chore market place?
After a flow of good job growth in 2019, Portland is expected to experience slower job growth in 2020, co-ordinate to the Portland Relocation Guide — likely adding approximately the same amount of jobs equally last year. However, Portland's year-over-twelvemonth job growth is 2.04%, which is 7% higher than the residuum of the U.S. This makes the metropolis an attractive place for new talent.
The unemployment rate dropped to 3.7% in December 2022 — the lowest since 1976, according to the Oregon Employment Department. But, that was before the global bear on of the coronavirus hit the U.S. Similar most everywhere in the country, unemployment rose due to COVID-19. The latest July numbers show an unemployment charge per unit of 11.0% — which was slightly higher than the national unemployment rate. This is important to keep in listen if you're thinking of moving to Portland.
Portland is known for its diverse industries, ranging from manufacturing, tech, and healthcare, to outdoor and athletic clothes. The teaching sector is also a major employer. Some notable Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies in Portland include Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Berkshire Hathaway, Greenbrier Cos., and Portland Full general Electric.
What exercise I need to know about Portland education?
The master schoolhouse organisation is Portland Public Schools (PPS), a PK–12 district with an enrollment of more than than 49,000 students. It comprises 79 schools at more than 100 locations city-broad. PPS ranks every bit above-boilerplate compared to nationwide statistics. Due to COVID-xix, Portland Public Schools will be entirely virtual at least until November 5th.
According to Niche, PPS ranks at lx% proficiency in reading and 49% proficiency in math, and the average graduation charge per unit for Portland loftier school seniors is 78%. PPS offers a proficient array of extracurricular and after-schoolhouse activities, and in that location are many pre-K options for immature parents.
In that location are also 11 charter schools, 125 individual schools, and 34 higher education institutions in Portland.
What are the safest areas in Portland?
The three safest neighborhoods in Portland, co-ordinate to NeighborhoodScout, are:
- Northwest
- West Union
- Bethany/Rockcreek
Overall, Portland experiences a higher crime rate than most other cities in the U.Southward., and a higher crime rate than other cities of its size (an exception being Detroit), with well-nigh of the crimes being holding crimes.
This is only a high-level look at the crime statistics in the city. If you want to acquire more than most prophylactic in the surface area, exist sure to visit the Portland Police Bureau website for more information.
How do I become around Portland?
TriMet is the city'southward premier public transportation provider, with a convenient network of busses, light rail, and streetcars. If you lot live and work inside Portland city limits, you don't really demand a automobile, as the transportation organization will get you where you need to get.
The average commute time by motorcar in Portland is about 27 minutes. But, go on in heed that in Portland, non anybody commutes past their car. In 2017, 8.nine% of people carpooled, 12.3% took public transportation, and 6.five% of commuters rode their bikes to piece of work.
What'southward the conditions similar in Portland?
Portland is well-known for having more rainy than sunny days. However, the climate is temperate, with warm, dry summers, and mild, moisture winters. Thanks to its location at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, it lies in a low distance location, a short altitude from both the Pacific Ocean and Pour Mountains.
In the summer, Portland's average high temperature is 81° F, and the depression is 56° F. Autumn brings average highs of 64° F and lows of 46° F. In wintertime, the average high is 51° F, and the low is 36° F. And in spring, you tin expect boilerplate high temps of 62° F, and lows of 43° F.
What are Portland'south fastest-growing neighborhoods?
Portland has gained a lot of popularity over the final decade or then and it still continues to be a fast-growing metropolis. When moving to Portland, in that location are many unlike neighborhoods and suburbs to consider. According to RealEstateAgentPDX and WestCoastSelfStorage, these are the fastest-growing:
In Portland:
Pearl District
As one of the metropolis's trendiest neighborhoods, "The Pearl" is located in inner Northwest Portland, merely north of downtown. The final few years have seen exponential growth in condos and loftier-rise flat buildings. Information technology'south very convenient to public transportation and great shopping, plus it's the central hub for art galleries in town.
Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock
Centennial
Located in Portland's far east side and neighboring the suburb of Gresham, this neighborhood has seen just equally many homes sold as the Pearl District and has a population of almost 25,000. Still, its outer-lying location means you are more probable to demand a car to go around.
Powellhurst-Gilbert
This neighborhood lies just to the southwest of Centennial, with a like population of simply over 24,000. While it is slightly closer to expert shopping and other cultural attractions, a auto is always handy.
Lents
This neighborhood is located in primal southeast Portland, bordering the I-205 corridor. As such, it's very convenient to hop on the Interstate to get to other parts of the city and has lots of transportation options.
In the greater Portland metro area:
Happy Valley
This suburb with an idyllic name is located merely southeast of Portland, and information technology has grown a full 46% since 2010. The commute time to downtown Portland is roughly 23 minutes, depending on traffic.
Wilsonville
Conveniently located south of Portland and straddling Interstate 5, Wilsonville is an piece of cake commute into the city (25 minutes from downtown) and all of its dining, shopping, and culture. This former farming boondocks has seen tremendous growth in new unmarried-family homes, with a 23.2% growth over the terminal ten years.
Hazelwood
Hazelwood, nearly a thirteen-minute drive east of cardinal Portland, is a growing neighborhood of about 25,000 people. It is one of the largest neighborhoods in Portland. Despite having a suburban experience (which many buyers find desirable), Hazelwood is withal very well connected to public transportation.
Living in Portland: The fun role
For the sports fan
If you love basketball game, you are in luck: The earth-famous Portland Blazers make their home here, and having a flavour ticket to their venue at the Moda Center is high on a sports fan's list. Soccer fans will find their abode in the Portland Timbers (men'south) soccer league, and Portland Thorns (women's) soccer league. Hockey fans can enjoy watching the Portland Winterhawks, and baseball game fans tin spotter the collegiate Portland Pickles, also equally the minor league Hillsboro Hops.
For the civilization-seeker
There is no shortage of culture in Portland, whether you're a fan of theater, live music, or the traditional arts. Some notable theaters are the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland'due south Center for the Arts, and Keller Auditorium. There are currently 36 museums, 73 music venues, and 18 libraries. Travel Portland is the city's premier publication for civilisation.
Families with kids will relish Portland's 328 city parks, the Portland Japanese Gardens, the Oregon Museum of Science and Manufacture (OMSI), and the Portland Zoo.
For the foodie
Whatsoever foodie will rejoice at living here, as you can literally take a culinary adventure around the world in Portland. There are restaurants, pubs, and bars to adjust any taste and budget, from the affordable and eclectic, to Michelin-star establishments. There are as well 99 breweries. Make sure to too explore the plethora of incredible food carts scattered throughout the town. PDX Eater is a wealth of information.
For the traveler
For those who dearest to explore, Portland is uniquely situated: It'due south a short, one.five-hour drive to the Cascade Mount range to the east and the Oregon coast to the w. Seattle is also only a iii-hour drive away, then you can explore and so much by motorcar solitary. And if yous want to lath a flying, Portland International Airdrome is located simply xiv miles east — about a 20 minutes' drive from downtown.
For the outdoor explorer
Portland is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Mt. Hood, located in the Cascade Mountain range, offers world-class skiing and other wintertime sports, Forest Park is Portland's largest urban dark-green space, with many miles of forest hiking to enjoy. At that place's a broad diverseness of outdoor activities to keep you exploring for years, from waterfalls and high desert surroundings in eastern Oregon to the rugged Oregon coastline.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
What you probably didn't know nearly Portland…
- Portland was named on a coin toss. If things had gone the other style, the city would be chosen Boston, OR.
- A well-established tradition in Portland is the Naked Bicycle Ride, held every June. You lot don't take to be naked to participate, but beingness on a bicycle is strongly encouraged!
- The earth's smallest park is located in downtown Portland, called Mills End Park.
- The arts and crafts beer scene is exceptional — Portland has some incredible microbreweries, and there are a lot of them.
- The famous Powell's Bookstore is the largest independent bookstore in the earth.
- In that location are miniature horses placed throughout the city equally part of the "Portland Horse Project."
If y'all're interested in moving to the area, cheque out our metropolis page on Portland!
The bottom line
While this guide to Portland is helpful, information technology simply scratches the surface. Some local publications you may want to explore are Travel Portland, Willamette Week, and The Oregonian. They will give you a deeper sense of what Portland is really about.
Portland is a cute and friendly place to live. With its big number of green spaces, its wide assortment of cultural and outdoor activities, and its world-class food scene, Portland should be high on your listing if you're looking for a new chance or a fun place to call abode. Though, go along in mind that the cost of living continues to go up, and the population is rising, also.
Hana LaRock contributed to this report.
Source: https://www.mymove.com/city-guides/or/portland/