Known as “the City of Roses,” moving to Portland offers residents easy access to outdoor recreation, world-class food and drinks, fantastic urban amenities, and so much more. If you’re considering renting an apartment or are looking at homes for sale in Portland, Redfin has the top reasons to call this quirky city home.
1) Relatively affordable housing
Real estate in Portland isn’t as low as it is in other parts of the country. However, home prices here aren’t nearly as high as in other cities like Seattle or Boston. The median sale price in Portland is $538K, compared to the national average of $418k. If you’re looking for an escape from the city, trendy studios, suburban homes, or urban developments, there’s a house style here for everyone.
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2) Great walkability & bikeability
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The City of Roses has a bike score of 83, meaning biking is convenient for most trips. In fact, about 7% of the population bikes to work each day. So it’s no surprise that Portland holds the national title for most residents commuting by bike. The city boasts 315 miles of bikeways and trails to explore. Portland also has an excellent walkability score of 67, meaning some errands can be completed via walking.
3) Natural beauty
There’s no shortage of trees, rivers, and streams throughout Portland. The Pacific Northwest is a temperate rainforest, which means everything remains lush and green all year long. There are countless beautiful parks throughout the city, and if you plan on living in Portland, nearly all neighborhoods are beautiful.
4) Portland’s thriving food scene
If you plan on moving to Portland, you won’t be short on delicious restaurants. Many restaurants use fresh local ingredients to create their menu items. Some spots to check out include Mediterranean Exploration Company, Blossoming Lotus Portland, Bamboo Sushi, Milo’s City Cafe, and more. Alternatively, if food trucks are your thing, you’re in luck. With over 600 local food carts, there’s something for everyone.
5) Environmentally friendly
The city follows a strict set of sustainability practices. Portland recycles, composts, reuses, up-cycles, and more to limit waste. Grocery stores are unable to offer plastic bags. Plus, Oregon was the first to introduce bottle deposits, and Portland was the first city to implement a green tax.
6) Things to do
Portland is known for its outdoor activities. If you are into enjoying the snow, Mt. Hood has year-round skiing. If you’re a fan of hiking, there are plenty of beautiful hiking destinations just outside the city. Tryon Creek State Park, Kelley Point Park, Tamanawas Falls, and Powell Butte are just a few of the great hiking areas. The city also has over 200 parks, so there’s always an opportunity to stop for a picnic and hang out with friends. Enjoy lush greenery at Forest Park or the Portland Japanese Garden, or even visit one of the hot springs surrounding the metro. Or take a trip to the Oregon Coast for a dip in the Pacific Ocean.
From must-see sights to hidden gems, there are many indoor activities as well. Go brewery hopping, attend a concert, go to the Oregon Zoo, visit the Portland Art Museum, or attend a Farmer’s Market.
7) Weather
In Portland, Oregon, you can enjoy all four seasons. The weather fluctuates a little more in the spring with rainfall, thunderstorms, and warm spells. Similar to summer, fall consists of dry heat until November, and then the weather begins to cool. Summer sees an average high of 76 degrees in July, the perfect temperature for residents to indulge in outdoor activities. And, winters have an average low of 37 in January. The city sees quite a bit of rain in the fall, winter, and spring.
8) Arts and culture
The arts scene in Portland is incredible, and exploring it is something you can’t miss. Music has long been a staple in the Portland scene. There’s something for every music lover in Portland, from metal to folk. Popular performance centers include the Clinton Street Theater, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and the Crystal Ballroom. There’s also the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, home to an artist residency program and countless community events during the year. You can always venture to Alberta Arts District for Last Thursday and check out the work of local artists.
Methodology: Median home sale price data was pulled from the US Housing Market resource during June 2023.
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