11 Pros and Cons of Living in Portland, OR

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Portland is the largest city in Oregon.

It sits just under the snow-capped Mound Hood, and on the Columbia and Willamette rivers.

The city is host to a thriving arts and culture scene and is most known for its many parks and bridges.

Portland comprises a general area of 375,5 km² and has a population of around 650,380 as of the 2020 census.

Additionally, Portland is known for its microbreweries and many coffee houses. 

The question you may be considering is if Portland is worth the move and if you should be packing your bags and heading north.

You may want to consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of moving to Portland before you make that decision. 

Pros of Living in Portland, Oregon

1. Environmentally conscious

If being environmentally conscious and reducing your green footprints is high on your list of priorities, you may find that you fit in perfectly with Portland, Oregon.

In a 2019 report by Greenwallet Hub, the city of Portland was voted to be the 9th greenest city in the United States.

What an accomplishment.

The city is so serious about reducing its carbon footprint that it does not use or hand out plastic bags in grocery stores, and it has not done so for years.

The city has implemented a variety of projects and efforts to promote greener habits among its residents, including the introduction of bottle deposits in an effort to curb littering in its streets.

In fact, littering is frowned upon in this city and residents view recycling as a priority and something that every resident should contribute to. 

Furthermore, the city has passed a green tax which fines big corporations and facilities for breaking pollution laws and uses the funds to promote initiatives that promote initiatives that are energy efficient. 

2. Portland is green

One of the most beautiful features of this amazing city is how green the city is, literally.

The city has just under 300 parks for residents to enjoy.

The city and these parks are kept in pristine condition through various green initiatives aimed at reducing pollution and keeping the city beautiful and green.  

3. It’s an easy-going city

One key feature you will notice as soon as you move to Portland, Oregon, is how laid back and easygoing this city is.

You won’t easily find people in the streets wearing office attire.

Instead, the city demands a more laid-back approach to the dress code that reflects the outdoor culture that is prominent in Portland. 

It is not uncommon to wear khakis to work instead of a tie and a formal shirt.

And, more importantly, Portlanders truly value their work-life balance.

The residents in Portland aren’t as focused on putting in overtime hours as those working in other metropolitan cities like New York.

However, do not get it wrong, Portlanders have a solid work ethic, they just believe that work should be balanced with a fulfilling personal life, doing the things that you love to do.

After all, all work and no play make for a very monotonous life. 

4. Good public transport

If you live in Portland, you do not necessarily need a vehicle.

The public transportation system is exceptionally good.

You can easily get from one side of the city to the other on the TriMet lines.

However, it needs to be mentioned that you can easily get by on foot in Portland as well.

Many locals have become accustomed to walking or biking around the city.

Portland is laid out in such a way that you don’t actually need a vehicle to get around. 

The transportation system consists of buses, the MAX light rail, the WES commuter rail, and street cars.

These forms of transportation can get you to downtown and all of the surrounding suburbs.

And, for those that wish to travel to other cities or even other countries, the city boasts one of the best airports in the US, the Portland International Airport (PDX). 

5. Outstanding craft beer, cocktails, and food scene

Portland is known for its microbreweries and craft beer.

If you enjoy a good craft beer, then you will be happy to know that there are several small breweries where you can sample local craft beer situated around the city. 

The city has a bustling nightlife and you will be pleasantly surprised by the various eateries that offer cuisine from various places around the world.

You can start your evening with a few cocktails and make your way to any one of the many craft breweries around town.

If you are into karaoke, then you will find several establishments in the city that offer karaoke. 

Portland is a paradise for any food lover and caters to a wide range of palettes and taste buds.

The city is also host to a variety of food trucks and carts that offer some of the most delicious delicacies in all of Portland and the US. 

6. Amazing live music

If you love culture and music, especially live music, then Portland will deliver.

Music is a staple in this city’s nightlife.

Whether you prefer intimate performances or live shows, the city has something that will appeal to a wide variety of guests. 

From dancing to funk music, from old to new, there is something for everyone.

It is all deeply rooted in the culture of this city.

You may even stumble onto one of the many iconic nightlife venues where you can enjoy anything, even a good symphony.

If you are someone that thrives on nightlife, great music, good food, and the social scene, Portland may just be the ideal place for you.

There is always something going on somewhere.

As previously mentioned, Portlanders love a good work-life balance, and as such, the city needs to deliver to keep the residents happy and occupied.

And it does exactly that. 

7. Say goodbye to sales tax

Yes! You read that right! Portland has no sales tax.

And, this contributes greatly to the standard of living and the cost of living in Portland.

Oregon is one of only five states in the United States that does not charge sales tax.

This means that anything you see in a store will not change prices when you get to the till, and you do not need to sit and try to work out what the sales tax on items will be.

What you see is what you pay.

This results in hundreds of dollars being saved each month on things like groceries, utilities, leisure activities, and so much more!

Cons of Living in Portland, Oregon

1. The weather

Have you ever read the Twilight series?

Or watch the movies?

Well, the story plays out against the backdrop of a very gloomy city.

Gloomy as in bad weather, always overcast, and very rainy.

Well, these movies were shot in Portland, Oregon. 

The reason for this is that Portland is infamously known as a gray city due to the fact that it rains for most of the year and is frequently overcast and gray.

Portland is very gray from January through March and this can have a huge impact on the mood and attitude of people.

Not everyone is able to cope with such a gray scene for so long.

It may even bring on depression in some people.

If you thrive on sunshine and you get very depressed in gloomy weather, then Portland may not be the ideal place for you to live in. 

2. The cost of housing

Housing in Portland can be pretty expensive.

Of course, this will largely depend on where you choose to live in the city.

But, overall, housing prices are higher than the national average. 

Many people moved to Portland in the past due to the affordability of being able to live here.

That is simply not the case anymore.

Housing prices in the city have shot through the roof in the last decade, making the cost of living that much higher.

As of June 2022, the average price of a home in Portland was $569.9K.

That is almost double the national average. 

In addition to the housing prices are the property taxes in Portland.

For example, on a home with an average price tag of around $361,300, the property taxes would account for about $3,768 with an effective tax rate of 1.04%. 

3. Traffic

As you may expect, traffic in Portland is an absolute nightmare.

Portland has seen a recent influx of residents to the city.

The problem with this is that the city wasn’t built for such a large population.

What you end up with are highly congested roads.

The situation is so bad that Portland has been voted the 8th worst city in terms of traffic congestion in the United States.

On average, residents spend an additional 89 hours in traffic each year due to congestion and backed-up traffic/traffic jams. 

4. Homelessness

The city has a major problem with homelessness.

It may not be nearly as bad as the situation in Los Angelos, but it is still pretty bad. 

On average, there are roughly 6,000 homeless people in the city of Portland.

This is more than just a matter of sympathizing or not sympathizing with those that do not have a home.

It has become a safety issue.

If this is something that may cause you a lot of distress, then you may not want to consider making the move to Portland. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Portland, OR – Summary Table

Portland Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Portland Safety Review

Safety Index:

69

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW