Thinking About Moving to Portland? Let’s Make It Feel Like Home.

A relocation guide to neighborhoods, suburbs, and everything in between.

Whether you’re still daydreaming about a move or already packing boxes, here’s what you’ll want to know about Portland. We’re Kim & Francisco — and helping people find their perfect spot in the Pacific Northwest is what we love to do.

If tree-lined streets, craft coffee (and beer…and bikes), and weekend escapes to the coast or mountains sound like your kind of life, Portland delivers. The city itself has about 630,000 people, but zoom out to the metro and it’s closer to 2.5 million — which means you can find any pace you want, from quiet neighborhood blocks to buzzing urban hubs.

Ready to start exploring? Jump into neighborhoods, suburbs, or take our quiz to see which Portland vibe feels like home.

Neighborhood snapshots (Portland proper)

Sellwood-Moreland → Small-town feel, walkable main streets, riverfront paths.
Laurelhurst / Irvington / Alameda → Classic architecture, leafy blocks, close to city life.
Woodstock / Mt. Scott-Arleta → Friendly, practical, great food carts and local parks.
North / Northeast (Alameda, Sabin, Kenton) → Historic, close to parks and vibrant shops.
Downtown / Pearl / South Waterfront → Condo living, streetcar/MAX access, urban buzz.

Good to know: TriMet’s MAX light rail (Blue & Red Lines) connects many of these neighborhoods to Beaverton, Hillsboro, the airport, and Gresham — trains run about every 15 minutes most of the day.

Suburb Snapshots (Quick Vibes)

Beaverton → Nike HQ, diverse food scene, parks; great for west‑side commutes.
Hillsboro → Intel’s big campuses, newer homes and planned communities.
Lake Oswego → Highly sought after schools and lake-town feel.
Tigard / Tualatin → Suburban convenience, shopping, and easy I-5/217 access.
Vancouver → No income tax, lower housing and property taxes, minutes from Portland.

Employers: Nike’s world HQ sits in Beaverton; Intel’s largest U.S. site is in Hillsboro with ~22k employees. Translation: west-side commutes matter.

Schools & Education

Schools can be a big part of the decision for many families moving to Portland. Popular districts people often explore include Beaverton (lots of program variety), Lake Oswego (consistently high-performing), West Linn–Wilsonville (strong community feel), and some eastside Portland neighborhoods with specialized programs.

Instead of relying just on online ratings (which can shift and don’t tell the whole story), we’ll connect you with the latest Oregon Department of Education report cards and help you plan school tours so you get a firsthand feel.

Good to know: Families relocating here sometimes choose suburbs for schools, while still enjoying the lifestyle of Portland proper. And don’t forget — Oregon has both neighborhood schools and lottery-based choice programs, so options can be wider than they look on a map.

Portland Cost of Living at a Glance

Housing (for-sale, latest medians):

Portland → $512k
Beaverton → $550k
Hillsboro → $540k
Lake Oswego → $735k (zip 97035 sample)
(City medians from Redfin market pages 8/31/25; they update monthly.)

Rents (citywide medians): Portland → $1,580; Beaverton → $1,540 (averages vary by building/class).

Tax Considerations

Sales tax: Oregon has no state or local sales tax.
Income tax: Progressive; top bracket currently 9.9%. (We’ll connect you with a CPA to estimate your specific impact.)
Property tax basics: Oregon’s assessed value growth is generally capped at ~3%/yr (Measure 50), but tax rates differ by county/city—ask us for a tailored estimate per address.

Why Portland Wins Hearts

Outdoors

Mountains, rivers, forests, and the coast — all within reach. You’re about 90 minutes to the ocean or Mount Hood, plus miles of trails and bike routes right in the city.

Climate

Four distinct seasons keep life interesting: green winters, blooming springs, sunny dry summers (82°/59° in July), and colorful falls. Rain averages ~36 inches a year, keeping Portland lush.

Inclusivity

Portland is known for being progressive and community-minded. From LGBTQ+ networks to groups celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity, it’s a city where finding your people feels natural.

Food

Over 700 food carts, craft breweries, and James Beard–winning chefs make Portland a foodie’s playground. Whatever your diet, there’s a place here for you.

Most Portlanders mix and match how they get around — walking, bikes, cars, light rail or all of the above. Here’s how it works in practice:

On Foot: Many of Portland’s neighborhoods are built for walking, with tree-lined streets, coffee shops, and corner markets just blocks away. Areas like Sellwood, Alberta Arts, and the Pearl District make it easy to run errands or meet friends without ever starting the car. If “leave the car at home” is your vibe, Portland delivers.
By Bike: With 400+ miles of bikeways, Portland is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. Protected lanes, greenways, and even bridges are designed for cyclists. Rain or shine, thousands of locals bike daily — it’s transportation, exercise, and part of the culture all in one.
MAX Light Rail: Portland’s MAX makes car-light living easy. The Blue Line runs Hillsboro ↔ Downtown ↔ Gresham, while the Red Line connects the Airport ↔ Downtown ↔ Beaverton/Hillsboro. Trains come about every 15 minutes most of the day and link with buses and the Portland Streetcar, so you can really get by without a car if that’s your style.

Getting Around

By Car: Even if you go car-light, most Portlanders keep a set of wheels handy. Commute times vary a lot depending on bridges, freeways, and time of day, but here’s a rough feel for crossing the city by car:

Downtown Portland to Hillsboro (Intel/Nike area): ~25–35 minutes without traffic, ~45–55 minutes in rush hour.
Downtown Portland to Gresham (east edge of metro): ~25–30 minutes off-peak, ~40–50 in traffic.
North Portland (St. Johns) to Sellwood/SE Portland: ~30–35 minutes typical, longer in rush hour because of bridge bottlenecks.
Portland to Vancouver, WA (across I-5 or I-205 bridges): ~15–20 minutes without traffic, but add 20–30 minutes at peak.
Airport (PDX) to Downtown: usually ~20–25 minutes; ~30+ in traffic.

The rule of thumb here? Plan on rush hour adding 15–25 minutes to most cross-town trips. Many locals get around this with flex schedules, biking, or combining car + MAX.

Living & Working in Portland

In Portland proper, life feels close-knit and convenient — leafy blocks, food carts on every corner, and a bike culture that’s part of daily life. For vintage charm, neighborhoods like Alphabet District, Laurelhurst, and Alameda deliver. If you’re drawn to city energy, the Pearl District and Kerns put you close to restaurants, the river, and quick transit.

Suburban Life

Portland’s suburbs offer more space, top schools, and quick commutes to big-name employers.

Beaverton – Nike’s world HQ, parks, and a diverse food scene.
Hillsboro – Intel’s massive campuses, biotech, and newer planned communities.
Lake Oswego & West Linn – lake-town feel, highly rated schools, polished homes.
Tigard & Tualatin – family-friendly, shopping, freeway access.

“Work at Intel, live in Hillsboro. Work at Providence, live anywhere — Portland’s got you covered.”

The Job Scene

Big Employers

Healthcare: Portland’s #1 industry. Providence (23k employees), OHSU (20k), plus Kaiser and Legacy anchor the sector.
Tech & Manufacturing: Intel (22k jobs), Lam Research, and Precision Castparts fuel the “Silicon Forest.”
Lifestyle Brands: Nike, Adidas, Columbia Sportswear — global names designed and shipped from here.
Education & Government: PSU, PCC, and regional agencies add stability and steady employment.
And if you’re working remotely? You’re in good company — Portland is full of coworking spaces, Wi-Fi cafés, and creative professionals who’ve made flexibility their lifestyle.

With no single industry carrying the weight, Portland’s economy stays resilient — good news whether you’re relocating for work or following your heart here.

A Note on Vancouver, WA

Just across the Columbia River, Vancouver feels like Portland’s northern suburb. Families love it for the no state income tax, lower housing costs, and easy access to I-5, downtown Portland, and PDX. Plenty of buyers look at both sides of the river — and we’ll help you weigh the trade-offs.

Where to Live in Portland (and Why People Love It)

Person riding a bicycle with a trailer on a residential street with a large green tree, houses, and a flag in the background. Overlaid text reads, 'Live Where Cars Are Optional.'

You don’t have to figure Portland out alone.

Whether you’re buying your first home, relocating for work, or finally landing your forever spot, we’ll be your guides through Portland’s neighborhoods and suburbs. Think of us as your local shortcut: honest advice, market know-how, and a friendly ear.

Call or text us at 503-951-8547, we’re here to chat, text, or meet when you’re ready.