Few cities have a setting as beautifully scenic as Portland, Oregon. Located in the northwestern region of the state, just south of Vancouver, Washington, Portland borders the banks of the Willamette River, about 10 miles from its confluence with the Columbia River. The city is a mere 65 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, an hour drive to Mt Hood, and Portland's large deepwater port receives oceangoing vessels from all over the world. Considered by many the gem of the Pacific Northwest, Portland, Oregon residents enjoy a sophisticated lifestyle at a harmonious, laid-back pace.

Portland area homeowners can smile. They live in one of just five cities in the nation where home values are still rising. In another measure, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Oregon had the nation's second lowest foreclosure and delinquency rate in the country this spring.

So what's keeping Portland buoyant?

For one thing, people keep moving to the area. About 102,000 people moved to the Portland area from out of state last year, according to the U.S. Census. Some come because they want to escape bigger cities. Many come for the lifestyle with so many activities to choose from: snow skiing, boating, golf, hiking, biking, night life, symphony, theater, arts, great restaurants, nearby wine valley, infamous micro breweries, scenic Pacific ocean coastline, world renowned windsurfing, and so much more. Others follow their kids. And others come for the friendly real estate prices.

Another thing. Oregon job growth, until recently, has outpaced national averages. More jobs mean more people have enough money to make the mortgage. Just a few of the major corporations that call the Portland area home are Nike, Adidas, Intel, Nautilus, Tektronix, Hewlett Packard, Columbia Sportswear, LaCrosse, Flir Systems, plus many more.

If you're thinking about visiting or relocating to the Portland metropolitan area, email me for more information on whatever interests you. Odds are, if you visit, you'll want to move here, and at the very least....you'll be back.

Kathleen Wall
Real Estate Broker
Oregon Realty Co.
Portland, Oregon
Direct: 503.954.6777
Office: 503.652.2260
Email: Kathleen@kwallRealty.com