Many people are packing up and moving north to Portland due to the lower apartment prices and gorgeous scenery, among other things. And, if you’re one of the many people who are considering moving from San Diego to Portland it pays to have some extra information at your disposal so that you can make your move a smooth one.
To make things easier for you, we’ve put together this handy San Diego to Portland moving guide. In it, we break down everything you need to know to have a successful move from San Diego to Portland. Let’s jump in!
An Overview of Portland
To get started with what to know about moving to Portland, it helps to know a few facts about the area. That way you’ll get even more excited about moving to this incredible city.
Portland is the largest city in Oregon and currently has a metropolitan population of roughly 2 million people. It’s also the third-largest city in the entire Pacific Northwest after Seattle and Vancouver.
The city covers roughly 145 square miles of terrain and is constantly growing. It’s split into four different quadrants, divided by the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.
Portland used to be overlooked for Seattle, but today, the area has a thriving culture. It’s a place where you can really dive into what living in the pacific northwest is like and can enjoy all that the state of Oregon has to offer.
Why Move to Portland?
There are so many different reasons to move to Portland. Here are a few key reasons why you should consider an interstate move from San Diego to Portland.
Portland Is Extremely Green
Portland is a veritable oasis when it comes to greenery. Unlike San Diego which has more of a coastal desert vibe, Portland is covered in green trees and moss. It’s a place where people care about the environment and it shows.
It’s Close to the Outdoors
If you’re an outdoorsy person, you’ll love living in Portland. Just a half-hour outside of the city you’ll find waterfalls, stunning hikes, and coastal views. Or, you can head further inland if you’re missing the San Diego desert vibes.
The Community Is Amazing
Some cities can be tough to really find your place in, but Portland isn’t one of them. The community in Portland is incredible and people are open and friendly, always happy to go for a hike or get outdoors and explore with new friends.
Nothing Is Too Far Away
In Portland, everything is pretty close together. Unlike San Diego and LA where it takes 30 minutes to get just about anywhere, in Portland it will only take you ten minutes to get where you need to go, making it way easier to travel.
There’s No Sales Tax
If you love shopping then Portland will be a paradise for you. Why? Portland doesn’t have a sales tax, which means you can save quite a bit of money on your purchases.
Best Neighborhoods in Portland
Before you pack your bags and get ready to make the long-distance move to Portland you should know what the best neighborhoods in the area are. Each neighborhood has its own dynamic and offers different benefits.
Southeast Neighborhoods
The benefit of living in the Southeast neighborhoods is that they’re all within biking or walking distance of one another. Here are a few of the best neighborhoods in the Southeast part of Portland:
- Sellwood
- West Moreland
- Belmont
- Hawthorne
- Division
- Clinton
- Foster Powell
- Belmont
- Central Eastside
- Brooklyn
- Milwaukie
- Tabor
Each of these neighborhoods has its own distinct personality. You’ll have a very different experience living in Division, for example, than you would living in Hawthorne.
Northeast Neighborhoods
Another part of the city that you can move to is the Northeast. Here are some of the Northeast neighborhoods that you should check out:
- Alberta Arts
- Killingsworth
- Hollywood
- Laurelhurst
- North Tabor
- Kerns
- Roseway/Rose City Park
- Cully/NE 42nd Avenue
The northeast neighborhoods, like the southeast, offer great walkability. We recommend looking at homes west of 82nd Avenue to find the best walkability in these areas.
North Neighborhoods
The north side of Portland is another great place to look into. Here are some northern neighborhoods you can consider:
- University Park
- Mississippi
- Kenton
- Dekum Triangle
- St. Johns
While there are fewer neighborhoods in the northern part of the city, they’re still a great choice for anyone wanting to move to Portland.
Northwest Neighborhoods
The northwest also has some great neighborhoods that you can check out. Here are our favorites in the northwest part of town:
- Alphabet District
- Old Town
- 21st Shopping District
- 23rd Avenue
- The Pearl District
Each of the northwest neighborhoods has its own unique charm. For example, Old Town will leave you feeling as if you stepped back in time while the 21st Shopping District is packed full of charming boutiques.
Southwest Neighborhoods
Last but not least, we have several southwest neighborhoods that you won’t want to miss. A few local neighborhoods in this part of town include:
- Goose Hollow
- Corbett
- Ladd Hill
- Downtown Beaverton
- Bethany
- Hillsdale
- Multnomah Village
- Orenco Station
The southwest neighborhoods are slightly greener than those found on the east side. If you’re wanting some more greenery, this is a great spot to move to.
Weather in Portland
Another big question for people getting ready to make a residential move to Portland is what’s the weather like. Interestingly enough, Oregon has got a name for itself as being quite a rainy place to live, but this isn’t necessarily the case.
The rainy season rains from November to February, during which time the city gets up to 6 inches of rain at a time. However, during the summer months, there is virtually no rain at all, meaning you’ll enjoy clear skies and sunny days.
Portland has a fairly cool climate. The hottest months of the year are July and August while the coolest months of the year are December and January. In Portland, the temperatures get down to 35 in the winter and up to 81 in the summer.
The mild climate makes it a place that attracts many people. They don’t have to put up with blistering summers nor with ice-cold winters that chill you to the bone.
Housing in Portland, Oregon
We can’t very well put together a moving guide without going over the housing options in Oregon. And, luckily, there are plenty of different options for anyone wanting to move to the city. Let’s take a look at what to expect, whether you’re thinking of renting or buying.
Renting in Portland
Renting an apartment is one of the easier options for someone moving to Portland. And, there are plenty of options out there no matter what your budget is or what size place you’re looking for.
Overall, the average price of rent in Portland, OR is $1721. However, the pricing ranges from $1,116 to $2,451 depending on several factors such as the location or the size of the place.
Apartment sizes in Portland range anywhere from studios to three-bedroom places. Most apartments are 1 to 2 bedroom spaces, although you can find townhouses for rent that offer more bedrooms. Keep in mind that apartments and rental properties tend to be fairly closely spaced, so don’t expect to have much of a yard.
Buying in Portland
If renting isn’t your thing and you’d rather purchase a home in Portland, you’ll be interested to know that the average listing price of homes in the area is $540,000. The overall price of a home is currently trending upward by roughly 7% each year, meaning that it’s better to buy a home sooner rather than later.
Most homes only stay on the market for about 11 days. That means if you’ve got your eye on a specific place you might want to make an offer before someone else snatches it up.
The good news, however, is that most homes sell for more than the list price. Only about 17% of homes on the market undergo a price drop, so when you want to sell your property you’ll most likely be able to make a pretty penny on the sale.
Moving from San Diego to Portland Made Easy
With this guide to moving from San Diego to Portland, it’ll be easy for you to pack your bags and get started on a new adventure. Portland is an amazing city and many new opportunities await you once you arrive at this new destination.
So, are you ready to head north and check out what Portland has to offer? Get in touch with Best Fit Movers and we’ll help you make the transition from San Diego to Portland smoothly.
