What You Should Know About Moving to Portland, Oregon

Moving is a big deal — according to psychologists, it’s one of life’s most significant events. Choosing a place you love can help ease the anxiety, which is why it’s so important to do your due diligence and research your new city before buying a place. 

Should you move to Portland, Oregon? That depends on several different factors. Explore the ins and outs of moving to this great city below.

Pros and Cons of Moving to Portland

So, is it really worth it to move to Portland? Asking what matters most to you and your family is key to finding the answer here. Understanding the key pros and cons can also help! Check out the following advantages and disadvantages of living in the City of Roses.

Benefits of Moving to Portland, OR

Those who stay in Portland tend to love their homes, and for good reason — Portland is full of character, and there are plenty of things to do for residents of all ages, especially those who enjoy spending time in nature.

Some of the high points of living in Portland include:

• Access to nature: Outdoor recreation is a big deal with people in the Pacific Northwest, and Portland is an excellent place for it! In addition to the various hiking trails within the city limits, you can easily get to many of Oregon’s natural hotspots by car.
• Walkability: Portland is an easy city to navigate on foot, with adequate walking paths and plenty of public transportation options available. 
• Quirky culture: The city’s unofficial motto is “Keep Portland Weird” for a reason! It’s one of the artsiest cities in the United States, with plenty of museums and galleries to explore and a popping craft beer scene. The locals embrace uniqueness and individuality, and the city is welcoming and inclusive to people from all backgrounds. 
• Good education: Portland has many reputable public and private schools, so you can ensure your children receive a high-quality education.
• Environmental sustainability: Experts ranked Portland as the country’s greenest city in 2024, and the local commitment to sustainability proves it. Reusable bottles and containers are big here, and most residents put a huge emphasis on composting and recycling. 
• Beautiful summers: While the Pacific Northwest has a reputation for being rainy and dark, the summers here are gorgeous with long days. Temperatures are mild, the sun is often shining and the rain makes the surrounding vegetation lush and green. 
• Varied architecture: The homes in Portland range from turn-of-the-century Victorians to 1940s ranches — often in the same neighborhoods as modern houses. You won’t find cookie-cutter housing developments here! 
• No sales tax: Oregon is one of five states that does not impose a sales tax on goods and services. If you need to make a big purchase, you’ll save a little extra by making it here. 

Drawbacks of Moving to Portland, OR

As with any other urban area, Portland has some points you might want to consider before house hunting:

• Crime: You may be wondering if Portland is safe to live in. While the city of Portland’s crime rates have risen over the past few years, your experience will vary depending on where you are. The suburbs are typically quite safe, especially compared to the downtown area. Checking the police bureau’s monthly crime dashboard can help you understand which neighborhoods would be best for you and your family.
• Unhoused individuals: Although the rising number of unhoused people in Portland has been a large issue in recent years, it’s inspired amazing community initiatives and social justice work in the area. For example, the city has spent more than $1 billion on affordable housing initiatives, and plenty of volunteer opportunities are available to those who enjoy helping out.
• Cost of living: The median selling price for a Portland home is $490,000 as of 2024, making it one of the most affordable cities on the West Coast. While the city does have a higher cost of living compared to many other parts of the country, this reflects the region’s rapidly expanding technology sector and job market, as well as the major housing boom.

• Gray winters: Portland is beautiful and mild in the summer, and like much of the Pacific Northwest, its winters tend to be gray and rainy with noticeably shorter days. That said, these winters are essential for the lush, green summers that are so unique to the region.

• Traffic: Even though Portland is significantly smaller in population size than Seattle, the city’s traffic has increased over the years due to a large influx of people moving to the area. Fortunately, the excellent public transit system and pedestrian-friendly design make it easy to get around despite any busyness.
• Hazy summers: Nearby wildfires occasionally blow smoke over the city in the late summer, which can impact air quality and leave a noticeable haze in the air. Following the local government’s safety recommendations can help you stay safe and healthy during these times.

Buying a House in Portland, Oregon

There’s one very important question you’ll have to answer before moving on in the process — are you planning on renting or buying your new home? According to the most recent available data, the median rent in Portland is just over $1,500 per month. This number is lower than rents in many of the surrounding areas, including:

• Sherwood
• Happy Valley
• Oregon City
• Milwaukie
• West Linn

For most families, buying a house is the most sustainable option. If you’re specifically planning on buying a home in Portland, following these steps can help make the process a little easier.

1. Understand Your Financial Health

It’s a good idea to make sure you’re financially ready to buy a home, especially in higher-cost areas like Portland. Some important steps to take here include:

• Checking your credit score: Your credit score directly influences your mortgage interest rates. If you’re worried about your check affecting your score, try running a soft inquiry — regardless of your findings, a soft inquiry will not impact your credit score like a hard inquiry would.
• Providing work history: Lenders are more likely to approve your mortgage if you can prove you have a steady history of employment. Improve your chances by being ready to answer any questions about gaps in your resume.
• Calculating home affordability: You can use free online calculators to determine what kinds of costs you might be facing when buying a new home.

2. Plan for Associated Costs

Once you know what’s in your budget, it’s time to start preparing for your down payment. The specific amount will vary depending on what type of mortgage you choose and whether you opt to purchase private mortgage insurance. 

While down payments traditionally come to about 20% of the home’s price, the average U.S. down payment hovers closer to 15% today. You may even be able to name your own down payment price, depending on your lender.

Closing costs are also important to plan for, as many first-time buyers don’t expect to pay anything else after closing. Typically, you’re looking at a closing cost of about 2% to 5% of the listing price — but it’s important to remember that your costs may vary.

3. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Applying for a mortgage pre-approval is important for two reasons — it helps you understand how much you can borrow to finance your new home and demonstrates your seriousness about homeownership to potential lenders. 

Understanding what types of mortgages are available to you is essential for navigating this step, as you will need this information to determine which arrangement is best for your situation. Your options will vary depending on several factors, including but not limited to:

• Income
• Occupation
• Credit score
• Location
• Lender

Looking for lenders with the best rates can help new homebuyers afford a new home much easier. 

4. Start the Home Search

You can work with an agent or browse listings on sites like Zillow and Redfin. You could also do a combination of the two if you already have a solid vision of what you’re looking for. 

Once you find some homes you’re interested in, try to visit them in person to ensure you like what you see. You have several options to do this:

• Attend open houses: Open houses are great opportunities to see the house, ask any questions you have and show your interest. Use this time to explore the neighborhood and make sure you feel comfortable with the location beyond your property. 
• Tour with an agent: Working with a real estate agent allows you to use their connections to find great listings you may have been unable to find online. They can then arrange tours for you — all you have to do is make sure you have enough time to show up!
• Tour online: If you live far away and can’t make an in-person visit, you can always ask to tour the property via video chat. The seller or their agent can walk you through the home and point out any details you need to know. The biggest issue with this arrangement is that you won’t be able to inspect everything with your own eyes. 

Remember, having a shortlist of homes you like is best in case your first choice doesn’t work out.

5. Make an Offer and Schedule an Inspection

Once you’ve found a home you want to move into, it’s time to make your offer. The key is to make it as attractive as possible for the seller so they’re more likely to accept — but you want to avoid going overboard to make sure you win in the end. 

The seller might make a counteroffer, which you can accept or reject. You can also negotiate for a better deal if you feel comfortable. 

If your offer gets accepted, you’ll sign a purchase agreement. This is the perfect time to schedule a home inspection and appraisal with an expert, as this information is necessary for securing a good mortgage. Note that you may need to make some adjustments to your budget if the appraiser finds something objectionable. 

Also, consider any upgrades you’d like to make, such as a new garage door, to your new property. 

6. Closing the Sale

After you’ve gone through all the above steps and you’re ready to call the house your home, you’ll close the deal. This step involves:

• Paying closing costs.
• Signing necessary paperwork.
• Obtaining your new keys.

After meeting with all the relevant parties, you’ll sign the closing agreement and make the first payments on your new home. 

What to Expect When Moving From Seattle to Portland

Portland is less than three hours from Seattle by car, but the cities are quite different. When you know what kinds of changes you might be facing, you’ll be able to minimize the culture shock.

Some of the biggest differences between the two include:

• Better public transit: Portland has a more connected public transit system than Seattle, where there are often gaps between routes. It’s also a smaller city, making it significantly easier to navigate.
• Smaller city vibes: Seattle is a significantly larger city than Portland, with approximately 759,915 people in 2024. While Portland’s population is only a little smaller, many people who move there from Seattle find that it has a more laid-back, small-town atmosphere. 
• Accessibility: Portland is generally more walkable than Seattle, with a human-centric design that provides plenty of space for safe walking. You can easily get by in Portland without a car, while a vehicle is a necessity in Seattle. 
• Lower cost of living: Although prices in Portland have risen over the past decade, it’s still more affordable than in Seattle. Just compare the current median home selling prices — at $883,000 in Seattle and $519,000 in Portland, it’s clear the latter is more manageable for most people.

Of course, you’re still in the Pacific Northwest, which means you’ll recognize a lot of similarities between Seattle and Portland. Some key examples include:

• Coffee culture: Although the coffee scene is a little more relaxed than in Washington, Portlanders take their coffee just as seriously. You’ll find plenty of national and local roasters, cozy cafes and coffee carts to satisfy your caffeine cravings. 
• Outdoor activities: People from Washington and Oregon generally love being out and about in nature — and Portland is no different. If you love hiking, biking, kayaking and more, you’ll find an abundance of opportunities to spend time in the great outdoors here.
• Weather patterns: Because they share the same longitude,Seattle and Portland experience similar weather throughout the year. Seattle natives will feel right at home.

Does Your New Portland Home Need a Garage Door Upgrade?

Should you move to Portland, Oregon? If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and you’re looking for a small city with a vibrant culture and friendly people, Portland might just be the place for you. 

Wherever you find your new Portland home, you’ll probably want to add some finishing touches to make it 100% yours. That’s where we come in. At Oregon City Garage Door, we carry a wide variety of residential garage doors to suit any aesthetic or garage size. We also back all our work with a strong warranty, so you can have peace of mind knowing you’re covered in case any issues arise.

Contact us today to speak with a team member or to request a free estimate. We can’t wait to welcome you to Portland!