Finding the best places to live in and around Portland, Oregon can be hard. The city has seen marked growth in the last few years, adding more residents than any other city in Oregon. And that’s without counting the outlying areas – like Lake Oswego, Tigard, or Tualatin – which have seen recent growth too. With so many communities and neighborhoods to choose from, finding the best places to live in Portland can be a daunting task. While there are a lot of different things to consider when deciding the best places to live in Portland, we can get you started with some suggestions. THE Remodel Group has worked in each of these areas. We know all of these communities very well. If you’re new to Portland or thinking of moving to the area, this list is for you!
In no particular order, here are 5 communities in and around Portland, Oregon that are worth considering for you and your family.
Kings Heights
This neighborhood, in the northwest of Portland, is best known for its tree-lined winding streets and exceptional views. Kings Heights has easy access to outdoor areas, such as Macleay Park, and gorgeous historic homes, such as Pittock Mansion. At the same time, it’s not far from downtown Portland, with all the amenities and entertainment that the Rose City offers.
Is this one of the best places to live in Portland? Absolutely. Is it the best place for you and your family? That depends. While there are many beautiful older houses nestled in the hills of Kings Heights, beautiful and older do not necessarily mean inexpensive. You may find yourself needing to remodel parts of your home, or even the whole home, which can be pricey. If money is not an issue, there are other things to keep in mind. All that outdoor access and those historic buildings can attract their fair share of tourists, leading to days when the peace and quiet of this neighborhood are disturbed.
Mt. Tabor
If peace and quiet are at the top of your list, then you might consider the southeast Portland neighborhood of Mt. Tabor as well! This neighborhood is mostly made up of quiet residential streets, but with easy access to the many businesses, restaurants, and breweries along SE Hawthorne. And it would be a crime not to mention Mt. Tabor itself, the nearly 200-acre park that takes up the center of this neighborhood. The long-extinct volcano offers excellent views of the city and plenty of hiking, biking, and walking trails for you and your family, all easily accessible from your backyard.
Mt. Tabor is definitely one of the best places to live in Portland, but it does have some downsides too. The neighborhood’s central location can lend itself to slow commutes, as you navigate through residential streets to reach I-84 or Powell Boulevard. Expect to leave earlier than usual for work! The peace and quiet might seem nice too, but for younger families, couples without children, or single folks, it might get a little too quiet. Still, Mt. Tabor has a lot to offer.
Beaverton
But maybe you want to break away from Portland a little bit, but without losing some of that big city feel. In that case, here at THE Remodel Group, we’d recommend Beaverton, just southwest of Portland. While Beaverton isn’t as large as Portland, it’s far from sleepy, being home to two of the area’s largest employers in Nike and Tektronix. Beaverton’s sprawling, funky borders are also home to good outdoor opportunities, such as the Tualatin Hills Nature Center, and plenty of shopping and dining options. The city is growing rapidly as well, with more and more homes coming to market recently. With prices rising – up almost 15% in 2021 – buying or building a home in Beaverton could be a great investment opportunity.
Beaverton might be one of the best places to live in Portland – or, to be exact, just outside of Portland – for you and your family, especially if you’re working for one of those two companies. However, Beaverton still has its downsides, as all cities do. Those sprawling borders we mentioned earlier mean the town isn’t particularly walkable. You’ll be hopping in your car to go most places. Beaverton is also a newer city and some of the neighborhoods lack the historic homes or small local businesses you’ll see in Portland, which can be a drawback for some folks.
Lake Oswego
If you don’t mind moving further out from Portland, then Lake Oswego might be one of the best places to live in the area. The opportunities for outdoor recreation here are limitless. Besides the lake itself, the Willamette River offers fishing, swimming, and floating. There are several golf courses in town, including Lake Oswego Country Club and a public course, too. All of this combines to make Lake Oswego one-of-a-kind. The small-town feel and quirky local flair, such as the Willamette Shore Trolley, is ideal for families with children or individuals looking to retire. If you’re looking for peace and quiet in your community, you can’t go wrong with Lake Oswego.
On the other hand, the commute. While you’re only about 10 miles away from downtown Portland, you can expect that to take about 30 minutes or more in the morning and evening. In addition, if you’re interested in visiting friends or going to dinner east of the Willamette, you’ll either have to go all the way south to I-205 or north to the Sellwood Bridge. Whichever one you choose, it’s not a short drive. The solitude of Lake Oswego comes with some drawbacks. Home prices in the area are also high and rising, with the median home sale price in 2021 sitting right around $825,000. If you don’t mind a longer commute and some higher prices, then Lake Oswego might be right for you.
Tigard
Last on our list of the best places to live in Portland, but certainly not least, is Tigard. As with most towns and neighborhoods on our list, Tigard offers up excellent ways to spend time in the great outdoors. There are many walking trails along Fanno Creek and many golf courses, from the Tualatin Country Club to Summerfield. The more relaxed pace of life and access to golf courses could make Tigard a great fit for individuals or couples who are interested in aging in place. Tigard is also home to one of just four Costco locations in the Portland area – a huge plus for families! There’s a little something for everyone in this town to the southeast of Portland. Home prices are also on the rise – up about 9 percent this past year – offering some solid investment potential.
One of the biggest downsides to living in Tigard? Everyone else wants to live there too. There are not as many homes for sale here as there are in other places on our list and some of the homes that are for sale could use a little refresh. Tigard has the same problem as other places on this list – the commute can be a lot to swallow. Even though I-5 is easily accessible, I-5 traffic is notorious. If you can look past these concerns, however, Tigard is easily one of the best places to live in Portland’s metropolitan area.
Once you’ve decided on the best place to live in Portland, that’s one step down! You might be interested in remodeling the space you’re moving into, whether that’s your whole home, your kitchen, your bathroom, or something more. In that case, you might consider giving THE Remodel Group a try. We have the skills you’re looking for in a remodeler. With a long history of remodeling work in the Portland area, let us help you out. These neighborhoods and communities are all places where we’ve worked before. Check out our excellent work here!