Sunday, August 7, 2011

Why Portland is the BEST

Is Portland the right city for you?
Portlandia
I love Portland.  It's by far my favorite city to live, play, work, and raise a family.  I can say from personal experience of having lived in many other cities on both coasts and in between that this is the best place to be.


I know many people who are seriously considering relocating to the Pacific Northwest.  They are drawn for a variety of reasons, and here are just a few:  


Small city charm with big city resources
Since Portland is easily the largest city in Oregon, it functions as the cultural capital of the state.  Here you will find a wide variety of arts, shops, restaurants, performances, and parks for the public to enjoy.  And yet the city is one of the most well-planned which prevents it from overstepping its urban development, maintains a high number of green spaces, and provides the public with abundant options for mass transportation.






Affordable living on the west coast
Compared to all other major metropolitan areas on the west coast, Portland is the easiest on your pocket, with lowest overall cost of living. 
ACCRA Cost of Living Index


Natural beauty and outdoor activities
Portland is surrounded by untouched natural beauty that ranges from thick wooded forests, the majestic Columbia Gorge, crashing coastal waves, Mount Hood wilderness, and central Oregon's dry desert landscapes.  Outdoor enthusiasts will find and endless variety of things to do to enjoy time with nature.


Temperate climate
Not so hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter.  Yes there are many cloudy rainy days from late fall through spring, but many would gladly take these mild wet days to avoid scorching heat or piles of snow.
On a similar note, Portland has a low risk of natural disaster according to this NY Times graphic.
Portland, Oregon's Superlatives 2010-2011
When people ask me to describe what it's like to live in Portland, Oregon, I direct them to this city's abundant list of recent BESTs.

Check out this awesome promotional video for Portland, Oregon



If you're convinced you want to move to Portland, and want to get an insider's scoop to the personality of the city with details for each of its neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs, you've got to read the Newcomer's Handbook for Moving to and Living in Portland by Bryan Geon.  Even though our family has lived here for many years, I found many helpful tips, descriptions, and advice in this book for buying a home in the area.
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