One my greatest pleasures as a realtor over the past 14 years in Portland, Oregon has been helping people relocate to our beautiful, vibrant city and introducing them to the wonders of the area.  You might not think of Portland as a hotbed for retirees but there are several reasons why my retired clients move here and LOVE it!!!

QUALITY OF LIFE

“Quality of Life” is synonymous with Portland. Compared to many other West Coast metropolitan areas, Portland is still considered a “small” city with a local, friendly feel. It offers a bustling urban center full of culture and world-class cuisine that is surrounded by distinct neighborhoods with local shops and strong communities. Combine this with the abundance of outdoor recreational activities within close proximity to the city center, including the 5,100 acres of Forest Park, and Portland ranks high on the Quality of Life scale!

TEMPERATE CLIMATE

Portland offers the beauty of all four seasons without the extremes. Portland’s climate is categorized as temperate oceanic offering cooler temperatures in the summer compared to more inland cities and overall warmer wet winters with the rare glimpse of a snowflake.

LEAVE YOUR CAR IN THE GARAGE

Bike, bus, streetcar, light rail train or foot… What’s your pleasure? You will be amazed at how easy it is to get around Portland without getting in your car. With its 350 miles of bike ways, neighborhood bike maps and public bike rental system Portland is frequently rated the most “bike-friendly” city in the country.  If biking is not your thing, TriMet makes hopping on public transportation a breeze. TriMet accesses most suburban areas including the airport.  You can relax, read a book and enjoy the ride.

TAX BENEFITS

In Oregon, the price you see is what you pay.  There is no sales tax in Oregon.  Also, Social Security is exempt from state income tax.

COST OF LIVING AND MEDICAL CARE

In a recent study, Magnify Money looked at the 50 largest metro areas in the U.S. to determine the best places to retire. Portland ranked #1 based upon the cost of living vs. the cost of goods. US News and World Report ranked both Oregon Health and Science University and Providence Portland Medical Center as some of the best hospitals in the country.

STUNNING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Downtown Portland is nestled between the abundant greenery of the West Hills and the Willamette River offering natural beauty and outdoor recreation year-round. The only thing that tops that is Porltand’s close proximity to the stunning Oregon Coast, the cliffs and waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge and majestic Mount Hood. If you need a weekend of high and dry, a trip to close-by Bend is the perfect choice.

WORLD-CLASS RESTAURANTS, WINERIES AND FARMERS MARKETS

Portland offers world-class cuisine for the most discriminating palate and was recently ranked 1st place for the city where you can get the best food on a tight budget according to Willamette Weekly. Combine this with the extensive year-round Farmers Markets that offer fresh, local produce and the 750 wineries throughout the state and Portland is a food-lovers paradise!