Where to Live in Portland and the Surrounding Area

Portland is a BIG little city with a lot of heart and charisma. The city has a lot of unique areas that offer both cozy and busy atmospheres. In general, if you seek a peaceful setting, consider settling on the eastern side of town. For a more lively atmosphere, consider making your home in the northern and southwestern areas, which offer a quicker-paced environment. However, there are awesome parts, and we can tell you where to live in Portland and the surrounding area. Some of the movers Portland has can relocate you with ease if you decide to move. But, before you make a decision, keep reading and find out everything you need.

The Best Neighborhoods to Live in Portland and the Surrounding Area

The city offers dozens of options for almost everyone. No matter if you are going to live alone or move with your whole family, Portland has something for anyone so that your local movers Portland currently offers can relocate you. Here are some of the best neighborhoods you can find in this amazing and lively city:

  • Downtown
  • Westside
  • Southwest Suburbs
  • Eastside
  • Southeast
  • North
  • Northeast
  • Northwest

Man carrying boxes for people who want to live in Portland and the surrounding area
Find the right movers that will relocate you to your new neighborhood in Portland.

Downtown Is One of the Best Parts of Portland

Downtown Portland lies to the west of the Willamette River, offering a predominantly condo-based housing landscape, although choices are available. The condos range from new high-rise developments to historic buildings that are more than 100 years old. The choice is up to you whether you get a 300-square-foot studio for $250,000 or spend $1.5-2 million on a 2,600-square-foot penthouse. The city will offer you various housing options depending on your budget. The average cost of a two-bedroom, two-bath condo falls between $600,000 and $800,000.

If you prefer detached homes, explore neighborhoods like Kings Heights, Nob Hill, Goose Hollow, and Alphabet District, located on the west side of I-405. You will have to pick from the residential movers in Portland Oregon, as they know the area and have experience. The average home in Portland runs around $349,000, which is far above the U.S. average of $222,408. Downtown prices are even higher.

Living on the Westside of Portland

The Westside includes Northwest Portland and Southwest Portland. This area primarily encompasses the “bedroom communities,” often referred to as suburbs. In Portland, there is limited new home construction, but when new houses are developed, they tend to be situated on the Westside. Most of the residences in this region are less than three decades old and encompass a variety of housing types, including condominiums, patio homes, and single-family detached houses. If these are your preferences, Westside is where to live in Portland and the surrounding area, so contact Royal Moving & Storage and schedule your relocation.

The community is characterized by a younger, affluent, and diverse population, with many individuals employed in the “Silicon Forest,” a high-tech hub along Highway 26. While large yards are not prevalent on the Westside, many homes are spacious, and the educational institutions are highly regarded. Beyond West Portland, you’ll find neighboring cities such as Aloha, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, West Linn, and Wilsonville. These suburbs to the west of Portland have homes on large lots, have great schools, and are more affordable than other homes in Portland.

A woman with a suitcase
The public transportation system is well organized no matter which neighborhood in Portland you choose.

The public transportation will take residents to Downtown Portland, which is very convenient. Orenco Station boasts a higher number of participants in public transportation than any other community beyond Portland’s city limits. You will also find condominiums with parking below ground and retail shops at street level. When it comes to housing prices in the community, they vary. For one-bedroom condos, you will have to pay about $350,000, whereas detached homes reach $650,000.

Beaverton and Hillsboro

Beaverton, in particular, began Portland’s urban sprawl. In the early 1970s, iconic businesses like Nike, Tektronix, and Intel planted roots in the area, as well as planted “literal” trees that would become known as the Silicon Forest. Beaverton’s suburban area grew from there, providing homes for the employees who worked at these companies and others. Some movers Beaverton residents gladly recommend can make your life easier. As they have the right staff and tools to assist you with your move. There was no planned development in the city, and it is a mix of older homes with some rundown multifamily complexes. For those seeking a westward location, Hillsboro presents a superior choice compared to Aloha, despite its location further west along Highway 26 to the north and Oregon Route 8 marking its southern boundary.

A family home with a yard.
Townhomes and small family houses are mostly nested in Hillsboro.

The area showcases an aesthetically pleasing and contemporary design, earning it multiple national design accolades. Residents benefit from the convenience of having residential neighborhoods, parks, retail outlets, and entertainment options, all within a short walking distance of one another. There are rows of townhomes, apartments, and small family houses with tiny yards, picket fences, and garages in the rear. This makes it quite easy for movers in Hillsboro to access your new home and unload your belongings. Make sure to check them as soon as you find your new home.

Living in the Southwest Suburbs of Portland

The southwest suburbs of Portland include Tigard, Sherwood, Tualatin, and Wilsonville. Sherwood is a swiftly evolving city with a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. Here, you’ll find homes averaging between $375,000 and $600,000, exceptional schools, and a delightful array of restaurants, shops, and antique stores. Despite its small population of just 20,000 residents, Sherwood is a tight-knit community brimming with pride.

In contrast, Tigard is a larger city with slightly over 50,000 residents and closer proximity to central Portland. This area has transformed into a burgeoning technology center, resulting in considerable expansion. You can acquire a three-bedroom, two-bath home from the 1970s for around $375,000, while newly constructed four-bedroom residences with 2.5 baths are priced at approximately $550,000. Four to five-bedroom homes range from $600,000 to $900,000.

Tualatin and Wilsonville are the ideal places to live in Portland and the surrounding area

Tualatin, which locals call “Tree City USA,” is a residential community of 27,000 people with a highly-rated school district. Lowing through the heart of the city, the Tualatin River enhances the natural charm of a select few upscale residences, with prices averaging around $800,000 and numerous, more modest homes built in the 1970s that run in the $350,000-$400,000 range.

Kids in classroom.
Tualatin has a highly-rated school district, which is ideal if you want to live in Portland and the surrounding area

Finally, Wilsonville is the gateway to Oregon’s wine country. Situated in the verdant horticultural region of the Willamette Valley, this area is now home to prominent high-tech firms like Mentor Graphics, Tektronix, Xerox, and Flir, as well as the Oregon Institute of Technology. The Willamette River flows through the city and its parks and gardens. Wilsonville is 17 miles south of Portland, which is quite a haul for people who work in the city. The farmlands and small acreage properties are ideal if you want to get away from the city. Townhomes start at $350,000, small family homes start around $400,000, larger homes get into the mid-$500,000-$600,000 range, and rural property runs from $700,000 to multi-million estates.

Living on the Eastside of Portland

The Eastside of Portland encompasses North Portland, Northeast Portland, and Southeast Portland, featuring a collection of older homes constructed from 1910 to 1950. If you want to choose this part to live in Portland and the surrounding area, keep in mind that streets have the typical grid pattern, and these “Old Portland” style homes and bungalows sit along beautiful tree-lined streets and have detached garages that hide in the back. These homes comprise the “walking neighborhoods,” and the neighborhoods and houses have a certain charm about them. If you are looking for shops and restaurants, Eastside is filled with them.

Along the major streets, the City of Portland allows five-story, multi-family buildings that usually have retail shops on the street level and apartments and condominiums above them. This region is conveniently close to Downtown, making it popular among residents who commute by biking or taking the bus. The quality of schools remains good up to 60th Street, but as you move further east, there is a noticeable decline.

Homes in Old Portland
Old Portland has its charm, featuring a collection of older homes.

To the southeast of Portland, you’ll find the suburbs of Clackamas and Happy Valley. On the western edge of Clackamas, one will find Clackamas Town Center, which is Oregon’s largest indoor mall, and other shopping centers along Interstate 205. Happy Valley is on the east side of Interstate 205, and until about a decade ago, it was comprised of mostly farmland. Looking now, fresh neighborhoods have emerged, ranging from $500,000 residences to premium developments that offer vistas of Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak. The region is experiencing rapid growth, which, along with traffic challenges, is extending the duration of commutes into downtown Portland.

Living in Southeast Portland

In Southeast Portland, there is excellent accessibility to Downtown, and Division Street in the southeastern part has evolved into a hub for new dining establishments. While it costs a lot to live in Southeast Portland, it is not as expensive as Northeast Portland. Homes in the southeast were built from the mid-1920s to the 1950s, and there is great variance in prices, but they start around $500,000 and reach a million dollars for large, remodeled bungalow homes. The houses, although old, exude a unique and charming beauty, and they are enveloped by a plethora of neighborhood bakeries, coffee shops, music, and bookstores, as well as restaurants and pubs that predominantly line the 30 blocks of Hawthorne Boulevard.

Also in Southeast Portland, the Sellwood Historic District is located just south of Downtown, right across the Sellwood Bridge. The homes in Sellwood were built in the very early 1900s and consist of a mix of Victorian mansions and more conservative working-class homes. In the 1980s, the neighborhood was revitalized. The Sellwood Historic District is currently host to over 30 antique shops, including the renowned Oaks Amusement Park, a well-known landmark in Portland, as well as the scenic Oaks Bottom Wildlife Sanctuary, situated along the riverbank. The typical home in this district commands an average price of $650,000.

An interior of a house
You’ll find old remodeled homes in many areas

The wealthy founders of Portland built beautiful bungalow homes with planted medians along winding streets in the Southeast Portland neighborhoods of Westmoreland, which is part of the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood, and Eastmoreland, which boasts a public golf course. The residences in this specific location are in high demand and are priced between $700,000 and $1.2 million, but their beauty makes you want to discover more and live in Portland and the surrounding area.

Discover North Portland

In North Portland, you’ll discover the city’s most budget-friendly housing options. This formerly less sought-after area has experienced a revitalization and an influx of investments in recent times. As a result, the area has gained in popularity. North Portland runs along both sides of Interstate 5. To the western side, you’ll find the University of Portland, as well as the St. Johns and Kenton neighborhoods. The majority of homes in this area have less than 600 square feet. If you are looking for larger homes, you will not find many, as they are rare. However, some of the smaller footprint homes have renovated basements and attics to give them more space. No matter where you relocate from, cross-state movers in Portland will move you safely. So, your items will arrive undamaged in your new home.

Initially designed to accommodate shipyard employees, the homes in North Portland are now occupied by a diverse, younger generation of homeowners who invest between $325,000 and $600,000 in their properties. The schools aren’t as good as Portland citizens find in the Northeast and Southeast.

Living in Northeast Portland

When it comes to Northeast Portland, you’ll find the Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden, along with the Lloyd Center Shopping Mall and a cluster of high-rise office buildings within the Lloyd District. Stretching across both sides of Interstate 84, the three most renowned neighborhoods in this part of the city include Alameda, Irvington, and Laurelhurst. The large, beautiful, and expensive homes in these neighborhoods were built by early Portland’s upper crust. Now, they run between $700,000-$1.2 million.

Brown Brick building.
You will find Tudor homes in the Grant Park area, which makes you want to live in Portland and the surrounding area

The Alameda and Grant Park area consists of older Tudor homes that are unique and architecturally interesting. The area boasts a fantastic array of stylish stores, and its residents are deeply engaged in community affairs and school activities. The Northeast Portland neighborhood of Irvington consists of mostly restored Victorian homes and has a quaint downtown along NE Broadway.

Adjacent to the Moda Center and the Rose Quarter, you’ll discover the Oregon Convention Center situated at the western periphery. Most homes in this area enjoy the convenience of having clusters of small, independent restaurants within walking distance. Irvington, with only 30 percent of its residents having children, stands in contrast to Laurelhurst. The latter comprises 1,817 homes, with Laurelhurst Park as its focal point. Unlike Irvington, Laurelhurst embodies a family-oriented community characterized by a more leisurely pace of life. The neighborhood is known for its blend of modest bungalows, which come with substantial price tags, typically around $650,000, as well as stately Georgian mansions reaching prices of $1.2 million.

Northwest Portland is Another Great Neighborhood in Portland

To the north of Highway 26 and west of downtown Portland, you’ll find Northwest Portland. This area offers excellent connectivity to the Sunset Corridor, home to the high-tech business community, and easy access to downtown. Just west of the city, the mountains rise, and many of the homes in the area have speculator views of the range. Northwest Portland offers dozens of executive homes ranging from $750,000 to $1.5 million. Additionally, the area features many small-acreage estates located just beyond the urban growth boundary.

Traveling further west, you’ll encounter the communities of Oak Hills and Rock Creek, where homes built between the 1970s and 1990s can be found. With prices starting at $550,000 for residences offering three bedrooms and two baths. Notably, an upscale senior community known as Claremont caters to individuals aged 55 and older. Nestled atop a prime knoll, this community boasts an exceptional private golf course and a clubhouse for its residents. The light rail system serves the entire area.

A newer part of the area is called Bethany, and it has a good mix of residential and retail and great schools. Several new neighborhoods dot the Northwest Portland neighborhood. However, the lots are small, so there is not much in the way of a yard. The majority of the garages are at the back, with access from an alley.

A modern living room in a house in Portland and the surrounding area
Portland and its areas offer the right home for everyone’s needs

Enjoy Discovering Portland and the Surrounding Areas

Finding where to live in Portland and the surrounding area can be influenced by a diverse range of factors. Each neighborhood has its charm, character, and offerings, catering to various lifestyles and preferences. From the urban pulse of Northeast Portland with its cultural amenities to the family-centric tranquility of Laurelhurst and the executive residences of Northwest Portland, the options are abundant. As the City of Roses continues to evolve, its neighborhoods offer a lot of experiences, ensuring there’s a place for everyone to thrive. The key is to explore and find the one that resonates most with your aspirations and desires.

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