Portland is renowned for its craft beer, exceptional food scene, and pleasant climate. The people of Portland concur that it is a truly remarkable city, not just for its stunning landscapes, but also for the friendliness of its residents.
We have compiled a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of living in Portland, Oregon.
The Cons of Living in Portland
As usual we begin with the cons. Now, as much as we love Portland, we cannot pretend that it’s all bright and rosy.
Air Conditioning, or the lack thereof
This is often listed as a pro as it strongly suggests that the weather in the Portland area is mild enough to warrant a lack of AC; however, some people may not see it that way.
Not having an air conditioner means lower electricity costs, which is a positive as housing costs are so high. People who are wary of higher temperatures or the need to regulate temperatures purchase portable units. That being said, most people can live without it due to the earlier mentioned mild temperatures. We will leave it up to you to decide whether this is a pro or a con to your individual needs.
Portland Lacks Diversity
Unfortunately, Portland is at a major disadvantage for its stark lack of diversity. Ethnic diversity brings an essential heartbeat and culture scene to places which is noticeably missing where diversity is lacking. Today, there are some indications to suggest that Portland is slowly becoming more diverse, even faster than destinations like San Francisco.
One positive aspect to mention here is that Portland, Oregon, is a noticeably safe and supportive environment for gay communities. At present this is, in fact, the 6th friendliest gay city in the US.
The Nightmare that is Portland Traffic
One of the worst parts of life in the Portland metro area is the constant heavy traffic. Rush hour is much longer here than in other metropolitan cities. Furthermore, this is not kept to the city center. This is also largely due to the amount of people moving to Portland. The streets in the city cannot keep up with the rising population, which makes the traffic continuously worse. Today, traffic in Portland is the 6th worst in the US. The average commuter spends around 89 hours per year stuck in traffic.
Reserved Locals
Portland locals are friendly, there is no doubt about this, but they are also highly reserved, which is sometimes misconstrued as coldness. It can be difficult for newcomers to establish friendships, even for extroverts who are committed to reaching out. Portland people seem quite set in the friendships they already have and value long-term relationships more readily than they do the prospect of making new friends.
We should mention that this is not a blanket situation and there might be some outliers, but you are still likely to come into contact with it one way or another. It is also one of the major reasons for people to hesitate when considering moving to Portland. Not everyone can adjust to this reserved social climate.
Housing Costs
Housing prices have shot through the roof in the past ten years, which means that housing no longer includes affordable options for most people, even those with high-paying jobs. The current real estate market stands in stark contrast to what Portland was known for only a few years ago. Even rent prices suffer and rental vacancies come at such a high cost that most people moving to Portland will need to live with roommates to make ends meet. The housing market has become so expensive that many people wanting to own a home would likely not even consider moving to Portland any time soon.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Despite being known for its natural beauty, Portland can be rainy and gloomy. While this might not seem so bad on paper, it can cause real medical complications. If you are planning on moving to Portland, then this is something you will need to understand in advance.
One of these side effects of continuous gloomy weather is Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is caused by a lack of sunshine, often resulting in lowered levels of vitamin D. The rain might be bearable for most, but remember that from January to March the rain often stops, but the gloomy skies remain.
There are, however, ways to avoid SAD when living in Portland, Oregon. Light therapy is a great way to achieve positive results. But continuing outdoor activity despite grey skies can also serve up promising results. The application of a UV light in the home, if outdoor activities are not your thing during these months remains effective and will help your indoor plants to flourish as well. Just be aware that misuse of this light can and will impact your sleep patterns!
Homelessness
As uncomfortable as this might seem, we feel it necessary to mention it so that people can make an informed decision about a possible move. The problem, nonetheless, is noticeable to anyone walking through the city of Portland.
This is a somewhat contentious issue in the city because locals are divided into those who are frustrated and those who sympathize. To a degree, however, most people identify with both sides of the argument to some extent. While homelessness cannot directly be linked to crime or drug use, it does make instances of such things easier to see, and many attribute the problems to each other. The increased visibility then of such problems makes it difficult for many people to foresee the protection of their young children from such sights.
Regardless of where you find yourself in this argument, we are compelled to bring light to the problem. Relief is quite obviously necessary and is apparently a focus of the state, but still, the progress seems to be slow and in need of volunteers and capital to keep moving forward.
Pros of Living in Portland, Oregon
The Coffee Scene
Portland, Oregon, is a utopia for coffee lovers in the United States. Portland locals take their coffee game really seriously, and patrons can only benefit from this. Baristas in Portland are seriously knowledgeable about their craft and will know and revel in the preparation of beans, roasting, and even sourcing of coffee beans. Even those who think Portland weird for whatever reason (the weather, the reserved locals, the varied landscape), everyone can agree that the coffee is divine.
Portland’s Beer Scene
Portland, Oregon, is often called the best city in America for beer. Craft breweries are a common site and always vying for the top place – making some truly fantastic brews! Locals are serious about their beers, and craft beer is a noble pursuit, especially the IPAs. High standards are maintained within the Portland beer scene.
Beer-tasting flights are common and the complexity of flavors might shock newcomers. You will have ample opportunity to select your favorites, and what better way to mingle with locals in a new city than to enjoy a beer flight or two, at one of the many local breweries?
Portland’s Food Scene
James Beard himself, from the prestigious James Beard Award, is from Portland, Oregon. Needless to say, Portland is a dreamscape for food enthusiasts and is a major reason for many people moving to Portland. It is more than likely that if you have been living in Portland for the past few years, you are still discovering new restaurants. Farm-to-table meals are common in Portland restaurants and can be attributed to the environmentally conscious nature of Portland locals.
Locals do not tend to eat at chain restaurants because there are so many intriguing, unique restaurants in the city. It is considered quite important to support these local establishments when moving to Portland. Restaurants are run really well, and worldwide cuisines are available right in your backyard and many menus are seasonal due to the emphasis on local produce.
The Summer Weather
Portland summers are absolutely divine. The temperatures are mild and do not usually exceed 90 degrees (F), and sunshine is almost guaranteed from May to September. Needless to say, Portland enjoys much better summer weather than most other cities. Escaping the winters seemed more desirable than moving away from Portland entirely and missing the summer. There is almost no humidity which makes the great outdoors much more inviting. This also means that Portland is a great city for people with allergies!
The Portland International Airport
This is a pro that some might easily overlook, but the convenience of living close to a major airport should not be understated. As an added bonus, Portland International Airport is one of the best airports in the United States. It is well known for its efficiency, which can be a big deal for people who fly often. This convenience is extended to the amount of direct flights that can be taken from Portland, Oregon, to many global destinations.
There’s No Sales Tax
Despite the high overall cost of living, it should be mentioned that Oregon has no sales tax. In fact, there are only four other states in the US that do not have sales tax. This can be a major positive point for people thinking about moving to Portland as it makes large purchases, especially tech purchases, far more affordable than they would be in other states. It is not uncommon for people from Washington or Vancouver to make their big shopping trips in Portland due to the lack of sales tax.
Neighborhood Vibes
This might be the case for many Pacific Northwest regions, but we are talking about Portland specifically when we say that moving to Portland means charming neighborhood vibes all around! The experience in Portland is not something we have encountered in any other city we have spent a significant amount of time. Each unique neighborhood has its own vibe and you will have the opportunity to find the right neighborhood to fit your vibe!
Another somewhat unique feature about Portland, Oregon that we do not often see in other cities is that Portland does not have neighborhoods or blocks where many of the houses look the same. Property taxes are high, so the city was not built in large clusters, and if people are going to undertake the building of a home, it will likely be unique.
Houses also hale from different time periods. One block can contain houses from several different eras which makes them all the more pleasing to the eye. Do not think that it is only downtown Portland that has interesting variety and architecture. You can find this all over the city.
Walkability & Manageable Size
Portland, Oregon, is by far one of the most walkable places we have ever been in. It should be noted that based on neighboring cities like Seattle, Portland is really not that big, which adds to the walkability. You won’t find an abundance of enormous skyscrapers around here, but you will find a number of beautiful neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm.
Overall this is great news alongside the traffic situation. It means that you will likely never need to pay for your own gas as you won’t necessarily need a car (although this is debatable as public transport isn’t that reliable). Biking is extremely popular. The national average of people who bike to work is 0.5%; in Portland the average is 7%, which is the highest percentage in the US.
Proximity to Nature
Portland sits comfortably on the Pacific Northwest and connects easily to neighbors along the West Coast, which means diverse and incredibly beautiful landscapes. Furthermore, Portland is within driving distance of quite a few amazing places, like the Columbia River Gorge, Bend, Mount Hood, Alvord Desert, Crater Lake National Park, Willamette River/Willamette Valley and the magnificent Oregon Coast.
So what you get is several mountains, deserts, beaches, waterfalls, forests, and an alpine wilderness right in your backyard. You would be hard-pressed to find another destination with equally varied attractions so close by. There are even beautiful hikes within the Portland city limits, so people living in Portland are truly spoiled for choice.
Job Opportunities
Portland sports an impressively diverse selection of job opportunities which makes it quite easy to find meaningful work here. There are many major companies based in Portland, like Under Armor, Adidas, and Nike, Daimler and Intel also have large offices in town. The job market is pretty impressive, and this is only a small number of major employers in the city; in fact, due to a recent boom in the tech-industry Portland is sometimes called the Silicon Forest.
The Casual & Laid-back Vibe
Although Portland is industrious, it is still quite laid-back and easy-going. It will definitely be one of the most chilled US cities you will come across. This is reflected in dress codes and art alike. It is uncommon to see someone in a suit walking the Portland city streets, but encountering murals and public art in the city is pretty commonplace. Outdoor recreation is a way of life and much of the public wardrobe reflects this – hiking shorts in the office is not a strange sight.
Portland is a Millennial City
While the generational mix of Portlanders is diverse, it still feels like a city for millennials. This means that the city is full of shops that sell plants, vintage clothes, and handmade crafts. Millennials can easily find others in the same phases of life, which makes for easier connections with locals.
Portland is GREEN
Portland is green in more ways than one. It is home to 279 city parks, so it literally has a great many green spaces, but it is also extremely environmentally conscious. This is not a new thing; back in the day Oregon became the first state to institute bottle deposits to reduce littering in town.
Locals take the environment seriously, and respecting it is a big deal. Plastic bags are not available at grocery stores in Portland anymore at all. In 2019 Portland was found to be the 9th greenest American city. Composting and recycling are basically a sport here, and littering will not win you any points with the locals. Climate change is real here, and any visitors who do not take it seriously will have a bad time.
