Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Portland, Oregon

Relocating to a city like this, you need to begin the adjusting process way before you settle in. First, check the housing and find the perfect place you’ll call home. Explore the job market and apply for the most suitable career opportunity. Ensure the cost of living is something you can afford and what transportation is like. Then proceed with checking the local traditions and what’s best to do in your free time.

Is Moving to Portland, Oregon a Good Idea?

The city has a lot to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, and amenities. Additionally, the cost of living in Portland is relatively affordable compared to other major cities in the United States. Furthermore, Portland is known for its vibrant outdoor activities, such as skiing and hiking. So if you are looking for a city with plenty of things to do and great natural beauty, then organizing a move to Portland may be a good idea.

What Are the First Things to Know Before Moving to Portland?

We understand that you can’t wait to finalize the process of relocating to Portland with professional cross-country movers, get to your chosen home, and settle in. You’ve selected a wonderful destination with so much to offer, so you should start exploring it from the very first moment there. You should include in your to-do list going to those charming parks, go on a bike tour, and go hiking. Now, these are the first things to do after you’ve settled in. But first, take care of some crucial aspects of relocation.

The Best Moving to Portland, Oregon Advice Is to Find Your Home as Soon as Possible

How are you going to move if you don’t have a house there, right? So, before taking any further steps, find a perfect cozy home for you (and your family). If you’re planning to rent an apartment, know that the average rent is about $1,800. In case you decide to rent a house, it’s advisable to look for a home somewhere outside of the very center if you want an affordable solution.

Best Neighborhoods to Stay In and Featured Amenities

There are 95 neighborhoods for you to choose from, so the chances are you feel somewhat overwhelmed trying to decide which one is best for you. You just have to see which of the best neighborhoods in Portland suits you best. Check what neighborhoods meet your needs and requirements before you pick your future home and start living there. Here are some of the best areas if you can’t decide where to live in Portland, Oregon:

• Pearl District – this one might be somewhat expensive because it is located in the very heart of the area; most suitable for young professionals and youngsters looking for a vibrant nightlife and upscale dining places.
• Northwest District – a small residential neighborhood perfect for families; there are 22 private and public Portland schools to choose from if you’re relocating with children.
• Arlington Heights– here’s another residential area where you can enjoy as much as 332 acres of open space; an excellent choice for outdoors lovers.

Explore the Emplyment Market if Moving to Portland, Oregon Without a Job

Speaking of work, let’s see what job hunting is like in the City of Roses. With an unemployment rate of only 4.20%, the largest place in Oregon boasts job opportunities in various fields. Compared to the rest of the country, its job growth is 6.2% higher. So, the chances of landing your dream job there are quite high. Not only are there more job opportunities, but the average salary is also higher than the rest of the US – about $4,000 a year higher, which makes quite some difference.

Technology is among the key sectors, followed by healthcare and sports, as well as manufacturing and education. Tech companies are so widespread in the local economy, that the town got the nickname Silicon Forest, thanks to a combination of the IT sector and a large number of trees.

Start-ups have very good local support there, and many global enterprises have their headquarters in the city. Nike, for one. So do Adidas, Dr. Marten, and Precision Castparts, second of Portland’s two companies on the Fortune 500 list (Nike being the first). Many more, too. So, a search for jobs shouldn’t be too difficult. You only have to know your way around.

Search for a Job After Moving to Portland, Oregon

To be able to pay the rent and food, you should have a stable job waiting for you, unless you are relocating for a job, of course. It’s quite risky to start looking for work only after you’ve moved, so we suggest that you explore the job market in advance.

There is many a guide online which can be perused from the comfort of a couch and with a cup of hot coffee in hand so that the start of the next chapter of your life can be more productive than frantic search for about any way to secure income. With that kind of knowledge, (that way) you’ll be much more relaxed when you relocate – especially if you hire our long-distance moving company –  knowing that you won’t have to spend your entire savings during the very first month just to make ends meet.

What to Know Before Moving to Portland, Oregon – Cost of Living, For Sure

Check the cost of living in Portland, Oregon, before you start packing your bags for a move. You need to be sure that you can afford to live there because the cost of living is somewhat higher compared to the national average. For instance, the median price for a house amounts to $525K. Housing is the most expensive item. Healthcare and transportation expenses are also higher than the national average (7% and 6%, respectively). When it comes to food, the prices are 15% higher than the median costs.

All in all, it’s advisable to start saving up money, especially if you’re relocating from a smaller town. One of the most important things to know when moving from a small town to a big city to make the change easier is that you’ll need more money for everything. Even though the overall prices are somewhat steep, the good news is that there is no sales tax.

It’s Easy to Fit in – Locals Are Highly Friendly

People are often scared of the unknown when they move to a place where they don’t know anyone. You don’t have to be – it won’t take you long to make friends in the Rose City, even if you’re relocating from East Coast to West Coast. It is widely known for its friendliness, which makes the adjustment period to a new place much easier. People are open and always ready to help without expecting anything in return. In case you’re still having trouble finding the right company, look for some tips on how to meet your new neighbors – you can make some wonderful friends eventually.

Some of the Things to Know Before Moving to Portland, Oregon Are Exploring the Locals Lifestyle

You’re relocating to the West Coast, which means you get the perfect combination of beaches for surfing and mountains for skiing and snowboarding, depending on what you like most. During summer, most locals spend their free time outside, in one of the many enchanting parks or at the beach.

There are even some parks that encompass beach areas where you can relax with your friends and spend some quality time in nature. In addition to swimming and surfing, people here also enjoy hiking and biking, as there are miles of trails where you can do one or the other. And that’s just one of the many things to do in Portland.

And now, it is time to answer your human question from the top of this page. Yes, coffee there is incredible. It is an indispensable part of local culture. The industry has grown so much that it mounts a serious challenge to West Coast rival Seattle.

The coffee industry and shops make invaluable contributions to the town. They create many jobs, and people will tell you that they love their bars. And who wouldn’t? Few things can brighten rainy days as a hot beverage. Little heads up: rainy days are many, but we’ll get to that in a moment. Still, if you want to find the best restaurants in Portland, you might hire some of your newly-found friends as a guide. You know, a way of getting around more quickly.

Weather and Why it Shouldn’t Scare You Away

The first thing that you hear about the weather there is that it rains a lot. Alright, it does. But that doesn’t seem to trouble the locals, so there’s no doubt that you, too, will get used to it after some time. There’s plenty of sunshine, too, so there will be lots of sunny days to enjoy somewhere outside during summer. Even when the fall comes, you won’t feel much of a change, except during the night. Winters can be somewhat cold and snowy, but that’s when you can go skiing and still make use of these weather conditions, too.

Things to Do When the Weather is Pleasant

Some of the most popular destinations for a clear day include Washington Park, Council Crest or Mount Tabor Park. Washington Park hides the wonderful International Rose Test Garden with about 650 varieties of this beautiful flower. You can go on bike or boat tours, visit a concert in the open, pack a picnic, and so on. A variety of beautiful places and all kinds of outdoor activities is before you, it’s just up to you to choose.

To get the bigger picture of what Portland has to offer, ensure you check out the video below.

Best Places for a Breathtaking View

Surrounded by mountains and hills, your future home has jaw-dropping views for you to enjoy on a clear day. Here are a couple of spots that you should check out on the first clear day after you start living here:

• Council Crest Hill,
• Portland Japanese Garden,
• Mt. Tabor Park,
• Powell Butte Nature Park,
• Cathedral Park,
• James Woodhill Park at Rocky Butte.

Know What to Expect From Transportation in the City of Roses

Depending on what you find most convenient and how long your commute will be, you can choose between several options of getting around the area. If you don’t mind public transportation, you can go by bus or light rail. There are as many as 84 bus lines that you can combine to get around the entire metro area. Or you can go anywhere you want by car or by bike. Considering all these options, the City of Roses surely is one of the places with best transportation options.

Driving or Biking – It’s up to You

If you opt for driving, you might need reliable Portland long-distance movers with experience cross-country moving services to provide you, beside packing process, with the best auto transport too, and deliver your vehicle to your future address. Keep in mind that the traffic can be congested during rush hours, and you might have some trouble finding a parking spot, especially downtown.

Many people living here use their bike as a means of transportation, so if you don’t want to ship your vehicle, there’s always this option. The good news is that the bike paths are all well-marked and safe. Why would you go by car when you can get anywhere you want on your bike whilst enjoying the beauty of the surroundings during the ride? Given that even winters are more or less mild there, you can rely on your bike to get around almost all year long.

Get Ready and Move to the Rose City

Are you ready to leave your town and relocate to a big city like Portland? And even if you’re coming from another large place, with the right long-distance moving services and all the above-mentioned tips and other useful pieces of information, there’s nor reason to fear the change. Be sure that your move to the Rose City will be pleasant and enjoyable, just like your life there will be. Get all the boxes and packing supplies to get ready for the upcoming move. Portland is waiting for you.

Contact Long-Dostance USA Movers and let us handle the entire relocation professionally. We have many years of experience in helping people move cross-country, so you won’t have to worry about the hussle and relocation stress.