Portland Metro

Welcome to the Portland Metro Area!

Portland is a metropolis that marches to the beat of its own drum. It’s home to a culturally diverse population that’s relatively young, progressive, and unconventional in a good way.

Living in Portland means living with people from various backgrounds and interests. More artists, designers, and media workers live here compared to 90% of the US, which has greatly influenced the area’s character.

Portland is known internationally for its good urbanism practices. Commuting downtown, you’ll immediately notice the variety of ways people get around, resulting in fewer trips that require driving. Families frequent parks, green spaces, and gardens that are almost always within a mile of anyone living here. In fact, Portland got its nickname, “The City of Roses”, from its many rose gardens, most notably the sprawling, beautiful International Rose Test Garden.

Here we’ll take a look at the homes for sale in the Portland Metro Area as well as the lifestyle you can have here to see if it’s the place that you’d want to make home.

An Overview

The entire metropolis’ official name is the Portland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Located in the Pacific Northwest, it’s an idyllic region surrounded by natural waterways, lush coniferous forests, and scenic hills. Portland sprawls over a 6,684 square mile area, encompassing the counties of Columbia, Washington, Yamhill, Multnomah, Clackamas, and two Washington State counties (Clark, Skamania). Around 2.2 million people live in this area, with a density of roughly 330 people per square mile.

Brief History

Portland sits at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette rivers. This strategic location played a role in why it was originally founded – to make an inland port for ships large enough to traverse the Pacific. The city was founded in 1845 and its naming came down to a coin toss. The city was to be named based on the hometowns of its two founders: Asa Lovejoy (who was from Boston, Massachusetts) and Francis Pettygrove (who was from Portland, Maine). Clearly, Francis Pettygrove won.

Over the years, the city merged with the surrounding townships and expanded gradually. The arrival of Oregon Trail settlers in the mid-1800s accelerated this growth. In 1905, the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition was held in the city, increasing its recognition globally. As a result, Portland saw its population more than double from 1900 to 1910. Another population and economic boom took place during World War II as the city was chosen as a site for shipyards and materiel (military equipment) manufacturing for Great Britain and the United States. Since then, Portland has maintained its status as a major economic hub and today is home to a creative, open-minded community that welcomes innovation.

Homes for Sale in the Portland Metro Area

Homes for sale in the Portland Metro Area sell fast. It’s a competitive real estate market. This is despite the fact real estate in Oregon is on average, priced slightly higher than the national average. The city has remained a desirable place to live in, as evidenced by its positive population growth rate every year since at least the 1950s.

Available Property Types

There’s a good diversity of homes for sale in the Portland Metro Area to suit buyers at different stages of their lives. Young career starters can rent or buy condos and apartments downtown and in the trendy Pearl District. These areas have a significant concentration of high-to-midrises with condos and apartment units that have amazing views of the city.

Mid-career professionals with small families can go for single-family Craftsman homes or charming Bungalows in suburbs like Beaverton and Hillsboro. Townhomes are another option for buyers on a budget who want something bigger than a condo. Portland’s Central Eastside features a number of modern townhouses that have replaced older residences. These homes for sale are in a prime location right across a bridge to Downtown Portland.

More established professionals or retirees can opt for upscale neighborhoods like the area around Lake Oswego, Dunthorpe, and Arlington Heights. In these communities, you’ll see much more Contemporary Architecture. Portland’s larger homes are built in many other styles like Mid-Century Ranch, Tudor Revival, and Cape Cod. One popular local style is called Foursquare (also known as “Old Portland”), recognized easily by its cubic exterior.

Amenities

Houses and condos for sale in the Portland Metro Area come with amenities and features designed for maximum comfort and convenience. Even though many architectural styles found in the city became popular during and before the 1960s, you can expect these homes to have been fitted with modern upgrades. Residents can expect charming facades and updated interiors. Upon entering a house with a 20th-century exterior, you’ll usually see hardwood floors, updated kitchen layouts and appliances, and energy-efficient systems compliant with current building codes.

Many single-family homes in the suburbs have outdoor spaces like patios and decks with plenty of yard space and large gardens. Portlanders love being close to nature, and this reflects as much in their homes as it does in the city’s public spaces.

Popular Neighborhoods

• Lake Oswego: The area’s tall pines and tranquil lake paint a scene that you’d expect to find in a remote place hours from the city center, but Lake Oswego is just 15 minutes south of Downtown Portland. The lake’s shores are a go-to weekend getaway for city dwellers and a coveted address for homebuyers who want a quieter environment. Lake Oswego is an affluent neighborhood with grand estates and historic houses. It’s also close to several parks, recreation areas, and sporting facilities. On the north side of the lake are two tennis facilities and the Oswego Lake Country Club while at least four swimming pools can be found within the area.

• Hidden Springs: Found west of Willamette Drive in West Linn is the upscale neighborhood of Hidden Springs. Homes for sale in this Metro Portland suburb come in many architectural styles such as Colonial, Federal, and Traditional, with well-tended lawns and streets lined with mature trees. While farther south from Lake Oswego, this scenic, hilly community is surrounded by nature. The city of West Linn has more than 600 acres of parkland divided into at least 17 parks that allow for both play and relaxation. There are over 25 miles of trails to explore. Around 18 miles of these paths wind through West Linn’s parks while the remaining seven miles pass through residential areas. Here’s a map of West Linn’s open spaces and trails.

• Five Oaks: This neighborhood is one of the most well-known communities in Beaverton and for good reason. The neighborhood was developed in the 1960s as a master-planned community blending high-density housing with detached homes. The design focuses on open spaces and circulation patterns giving equal importance to pedestrian and automobile needs. It set a precedent for good urban practices in Portland, especially among its residential areas. In 2013, it became the first mid-century Historic District of the state of Oregon. Five Oaks has a good mix of townhomes, condos, and Ranch-style single-family homes.

  Much like the rest of Portland, Five Oaks residents can choose from many nearby green spaces to unwind in, like the sprawling and largely untouched Tualatin Hills Park. It’s also conveniently close to several local businesses, restaurants, and employment opportunities. The Nike World Headquarters, the largest employer in the state of Oregon, is just a five-minute drive away from Five Oaks.

• Central Eastside: Portland’s Central Eastside is an eclectic, up-and-coming area right across the Willamette River from downtown. Remnants of its past as the city’s industrial center are still apparent, but the old industrial factories now house offices, retail, and some of Portland’s favorite local businesses. Here, you’ll see many local restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, boutiques, and artisan markets. The neighborhood offers a nice mix of housing options considering its proximity to the city center. Lofts and apartments stand on the main streets while most of the single-family homes are found towards the east. More than any other place in Portland, trees by the streetside signal the transition from the commercial to the residential zones in this area.

• Pearl District: Portland’s Pearl District is a vibrant, urban neighborhood north of the historic downtown. It has diverse dining options and unique shops around almost every corner. There are also more than a dozen art galleries in this neighborhood, mostly concentrated around the tree-covered North Park Blocks. The famous bookstore Powell’s Books is also found here. Housing in the Pearl District comes in the form of lofts, condos, and apartments. The more upscale units have stunning interiors ranging from industrial chic to contemporary luxury. Residents enjoy easy access to the rest of the Portland Metro Area without having to drive, thanks to the extensive light rail and bus network. Pearl District’s streets are walkable and bike-friendly as well.

Living in the Portland Metro Area

Getting Around

Commuting around Portland is a breeze. The city’s efficient and eco-friendly public transportation system is a point of local pride. It’s operated by TriMet (short for Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon), and includes buses, light rail (MAX), and streetcars, making it easy to navigate the city center without a private vehicle. The MAX Light Rail connects Downtown Portland with suburbs like Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Milwaukie Heights, and Clackamas.

For those who prefer biking, Portland is tied with Minneapolis as the most bike-friendly city in the US. Pedaling through the city’s 400 miles of bikeways is a delight, especially in the summer. Within minutes, cyclists can go from biking under the trees of Ladd’s Addition to cruising along the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, watching the sunset over the Willamette River.

Schools

Education is a big priority in Portland and most of Oregon’s top school districts are in the area. These include the districts of Lake Oswego, West Linn-Wilsonville, and Beaverton. Portland Public Schools (PPS), the largest of these districts, serves the neighborhoods close to the city center. There are also plenty of schools that offer a more personalized education. More than a dozen Montessori schools exist within a five-mile radius of Downtown Portland. Additionally, the city is home to several higher education institutions like Portland State University, Reed College, and Lewis & Clark College.

Dining and Nightlife

The city is famous for the more than 500 food trucks that serve everything from gourmet burgers to authentic Thai cuisine. They congregate in places called pods scattered throughout the city and in a number of suburbs. Cartopia on East Portland is a landmark food cart pod and beer garden that offers cuisine from around the world and American comfort food. Southwest 3rd Avenue is famous for its Mediterranean food carts Moonlight and Abu Omar Gyros and Shawarma. Right across this pod is Huber’s Cafe, a famous classic American bar and eatery.

Fine dining establishments like Le Pigeon and Canard have exquisite French cuisine. OX Restaurant has an innovative menu of Argentinean-inspired Pacific Northwest fare.

The nightlife in Portland is lively and innovative. The Pearl District and Chinatown are popular nighttime destinations with fun bars, atmospheric, laid-back pubs, and live music venues.

Shopping

Thanks to its no sales tax policy, shopping in Portland is a delight. You’ll find a high concentration of upscale boutiques in the Pearl District while Hawthorne Boulevard is where most of the curios and novelty items are. We’ve already mentioned Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore. Last but not least, big commercial centers like Lloyd Center and Washington Square have various retail options to cover your shopping needs.

Outdoor Recreation

The Portland Metro Area has a wealth of natural beauty among its parks, trails, and outdoor recreational areas. Forest Park in Northwest Portland is one of the largest urban forests in the US with over 80 miles of trails for hiking and observing wildlife. Tryon Creek State Natural Area is 658 acres of forest along a ravine with well-kept trails. It’s a treat for the senses, imagine small brooks, towering trees, and wooden bridges surrounded by lush greenery on all sides. While a little farther off, the Columbia River Gorge has waterfalls and breathtaking views.

Other Attractions

• The Portland Art Museum is the oldest of its kind on the West Coast. It showcases an extensive collection of Native American artifacts, contemporary art, and works by international artists.

• The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is a favorite among families. It has interactive exhibits and educational programs for both kids and adults. OMSI After Dark is an event series where adults (aged 21+) can drink beer and wine while roaming the museum and interactively learning about science.

• Local cultural celebrations held throughout the year include the Oregon Brewers Festival, the Portland International Film Festival, the Waterfront Blues Festival, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Explore Portland Real Estate with Adrian Olmstead

With its human-centered infrastructure that blends seamlessly with the natural beauty of the region, the Portland Metro Area promises an excellent quality of life. If you’d like to find out more about the homes for sale in the Portland Metro Area enlist the help of Adrian Olmstead, one of the finest real estate agents in Portland, Oregon. Call him at 503.449.9580 or message him here to discuss your real estate objectives.