moving to portland, or
Discover Portland’s cost of living, colorful neighborhoods, and fun things to do in this helpful guide.
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people & planet
weather & climate
Portland has a moderate climate with four distinct seasons, including warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters with minimal snow. If you like rain, you’ll enjoy the city’s short, gentle drizzles.
living in
portland, or
portland, or at a glance
Portland’s cost of living is approximately 24% higher than the national average.
Greater Portland is home to a multitude of major employers, including these top five: Intel, Providence Health & Services, Oregon Health & Science University, Nike, and Legacy Health.
It’s easy to travel around Portland without a car, and Portland International Airport lies just 9 miles from the city center with moderate traffic. Enviable public transport includes streetcars, TriMet buses, MAX Light Rail trains, and the Portland Aerial Tram.
Portland K-12 schools score 10/10, placing them in the top 5% of Oregon’s public schools. There are 25 colleges/universities within a 20-mile radius.
Portland is a sought-after destination with thriving art, culture, and food scenes combined with a laid-back vibe.
CEND offers affordable moving and storage services to help make relocation stress-free, including DIY moving services customized for your needs, full-service moving, and convenient storage solutions. If you’re planning on moving to Portland, OR, request your quote with us.
where to live, have fun, and explore
portland
This fashionable neighborhood is a shopper’s paradise. Charming boutiques, restaurants, craft breweries, galleries, and artisan coffee shops line the streets.
Local art, live music, and hip bars and restaurants thrive in this neighborhood with a laid-back alternative vibe.
Quirky and walkable, this Bohemian haven is home to pubs, music clubs, and beer bars, along with an impressive selection of bookstores, resale boutiques, and low-key restaurants.
A picturesque neighborhood with historic homes and tree-lined streets, it’s renowned for refined dining, cozy cafes, and upscale shopping.
This stylish pair of streets features eclectic eateries, bars, and shops.
This family-friendly residential neighborhood is rooted by Westmoreland and Sellwood Riverfront parks. It’s brimming with green spaces, antique malls, and local boutiques.
This trending district is a nightlife destination brimming with bars, music venues, eateries, and shops, so it attracts a young, vibrant crowd.
This quaint neighborhood retains small-town charm with its collection of lovely cafes, shops, restaurants, and green spaces.
As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Portland and one of the first planned communities ever, this regal section of town features tree-lined streets that attract an older crowd.
This historic neighborhood will remind you of simpler times with its green lawns and gorgeous homes that recall classic Americana.
things to do in portland
Portland Rose Festival: Since 1907, this 3-weekend celebration has wowed locals with three major parades, incredible entertainment, and mouth-watering cuisine.
Oregon Brewers Festival: A destination for craft beer aficionados worldwide, this annual June festival attracts over 50,000 visitors who sip locally brewed beer and cider against the majestic backdrop of Mt. Hood.
Pickathon: This 3-day annual experimental music festival showcases top names in indie, folk, rock, rap, and bluegrass.
Portland International Film Festival: Oregon’s largest film event shows over 140 feature films and international shorts each February.
Waterfront Blues Festival: Each July, blues lovers gather for this 4-day event featuring performances from the genre’s top musicians.
Portland Trail Blazers: This NBA basketball team has qualified for the playoffs in 37 out of its 53 seasons.
Portland Timbers: This men’s major league soccer team competes for the Cascadia Cup against long-standing rivals the Seattle Sounders.
Portland Thorns FC: This national women’s soccer team set the largest attendance record in league history in 2019.
Downtown Portland: The thriving epicenter of all things nightlife, this party lover’s paradise includes country music clubs, craft breweries, saloons, dive bars, and indie music venues.
Mississippi Avenue: This hipster haven has an effortlessly cool vibe with an abundance of eclectic restaurants, trendy wine bars, and sophisticated jazz clubs.
Hawthorne District: Creative types love Hawthorne Boulevard’s quirky collection of vintage shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants serving an impressive selection of cocktails and cuisine.
Old Town Chinatown: This vibrant neighborhood is brimming with rowdy dance clubs, late-night DJs, energetic parties, and live performances.
Alberta Arts District: With a laid-back alternative vibe, it features historic storefronts, colorful murals, and one-of-a-kind bars.
Oregon Zoo: This 64-acre zoo offers scavenger hunts, exciting exhibits, keeper talks, and animal activities so kids can explore its 165-plus species.
Oaks Amusement Park: Get your adrenaline pumping with an indoor roller rink, high-impact coasters, thrill rides, classic carnival games, and mini golf.
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry: Discover hands-on exhibits surrounding the sciences, from biology to geology, chemistry, and physics.
World Forestry Center Discovery Museum: This 20,000-square-foot facility features interactive exhibits little ones love, including simulators and virtual tours that bring the forest to life.
Forest Park: This lively park has a variety of scenic dog-on-leash trails.
Lucky Labrador Brewing Company: The lucky lab is a visual symbol of this dog-friendly neighborhood pub, which continually experiments with flavorful beer varieties and mouth-watering food.
Powell’s City of Books: Your service animals are welcome to explore over 1 million books inside the world’s largest new and used bookstore.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park: This dog-friendly park has a prime location along the Willamette River.
Hoyt Arboretum: This 189-acre arboretum houses a botanical garden, conversation lab, tree museum, and 12 miles of nature trails that pets are welcome to roam.
portland restaurants & breweries
Portland has scored more James Beard awards than any other city, officially making it America’s food capital. These include Kann for Best New Restaurant and Vincent Nguyen of Berlu for Best New Chef. Award-winning beers and breweries frequently stem from the city, including Brewery of the Year Von Ebert.
environmental standards
Portland, OR is renowned for its stringent environmental standards, emphasizing sustainable practices such as extensive public transportation networks, widespread recycling programs, and a strong commitment to renewable energy, all of which contribute to its reputation as a leader in eco-conscious urban planning.
portland moving & storage
If you need a helping hand moving to Portland, CEND can help save the day. With our full-service moving option, you can relax while the CEND team packs, loads, and unloads your possessions. DIY moving provides a customized experience tailored for your needs, while our storage services keep your items secure while you get settled.