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Best Places To Live in Oregon

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Best Places To Live in Oregon

With rivers, mountains and stunning coastal views, Oregon is a beautiful place to live. These 8 cities also offer unparalleled quality of life.

By Livability on December 14, 2023

Oregon’s beauty is noticeable everywhere you look. This Pacific Northwest state is split into eight geographic regions, with a diverse range of forests, volcanoes, high deserts, rivers and lakes. The Beaver State’s natural landscape, which includes the majestic Cascade Mountains, stunning Pacific coastline and the amazing Columbia River Gorge, is part of the reason Oregon is so popular and affords incredible opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Mount Hood is Oregon’s highest point at 11,249 feet and Crater Lake is the state’s only national park. 

The driving force of the economy in this state of 4.2 million people has been agriculture, logging, fishing and, more recently, technology. Tourism also adds to Oregon’s coffers and is primarily centered around the beautiful natural areas across the state. In addition, the state is a hotbed of companies that specialize in outdoor gear, including Nike, Columbia Sportswear, adidas and LaCrosse Footwear. Oregon is also one of the few states without a sales tax.

The University of Oregon and Oregon State University are the state’s top educational institutions and compete athletically in the Pac-12 Conference. Here’s a look at some of the best places to live in Oregon.

Beaverton

Colorful tree leaves by the lake, in Commonwealth Lake Park, Beaverton, Oregon.
iStock/Png-Studio
Colorful tree leaves by the lake, in Commonwealth Lake Park in Beaverton, Oregon.

What makes Beaverton a best city in Oregon?

Beaverton earned the recent ranking as a Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2023 easily enough. The city, just 8 miles from Portland, is a vibrant community of nearly 98,000 with a high quality of life but a low cost of living. Beaverton is also an economic hub and is proud of its excellent schools and beautiful places to play outside. The city’s unwavering commitment to sustainability is evident in its 90-plus parks, 1,500 acres of natural area and over 60 miles of paved trails. In addition, the Beaverton Wine Trail takes you through the scenic Tualatin Valley’s wine country. A diverse array of restaurants, coffee shops and bars make dining out and socializing fun. Nike has its world headquarters in Beaverton, and that alone puts the city on the map, but Beaverton also supports manufacturing, retail and nearly 300 technology companies. 

What’s Beaverton’s downtown district like?

Residents will find a very vibrant downtown in Beaverton, full of delicious restaurants (60 within walking distance of the Beaverton Central MAX station), fun night spots, quaint boutiques and historic landmarks. There’s even a steampunk tea room. The First Friday Art Walk is a monthly event that showcases local artists and galleries.

Read more about living in Beaverton, OR.

Bend

Autumn-colored trees frame a view of the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon.
iStock/Bobbushphoto
Autumn-colored trees frame a view of the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon.

Bend is a best place to live in Oregon.

Bend is a four-season town in the central part of the state and an outdoor lover’s paradise. Hiking tails, mountain biking, skiing and water sports are all here for the taking. Surrounded by the Deschutes River that flows through downtown and the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, Bend is attractive to both families, young professionals and retirees. The city has both top-notch schools and health care facilities, as well as a stellar quality of life, landing it among the best cities for families in Oregon as well as the most affordable cities on the West Coast. Not to mention Bend is one of the top beer cities in the country — cheers to that! There’s also a sizable entrepreneurial community in this city of almost 104,000, with a lot of collaborative opportunities. Health care, retail and hospitality are some of the major industries here. 

What is Bend’s beer scene like?

Bend is known for its impressive craft beer scene, with more than 30 microbreweries and brewpubs across the city. Follow the Bend Ale Trail to sample some of the area’s tasty brewskies. Trekkers along the trail can get their passports stamped at each brewery along the way. And those with 10 or more stamps can pick up a free beer souvenir from the Bend Visitors Center.

Read more about living in Bend, OR.

Corvallis

The historic Corvallis, Oregon, courthouse was built in 1888 and is still used today.
iStock/raywhittemore
The historic Corvallis, Oregon, courthouse was built in 1888 and is still used today.

Why Corvallis is a great city to live in Oregon.

As the home of Oregon State University, Corvallis definitely has that college vibe going on! And that equates to highly educated residents, a thriving economy, a creative culture and a booming brewery scene. There’s also plenty of places to explore the beautiful surroundings. In fact, thousands of mountain bikers head to Corvallis each year to ride the more than 60 miles of trails in and around the city. Located along the Willamette River, Corvallis is home to some 60,000 people and boasts a lower cost of living than its big-city neighbors and a short commute time. Besides OSU, Hewlett-Packard and Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center are the city’s largest employers. This is wine country, so you can also visit more than a dozen vineyards, cellars and cider houses in the area.

Why is Corvallis a destination for outdoor recreation?

Corvallis can’t be beat when it comes to living your best life outdoors. The city has a network of mountain biking and hiking trails, golf courses and the Willamette River, where you can get in the water to raft, kayak, canoe or swim. Climbing, fishing, bird-watching and camping are also popular recreational activities here.

Read more about living in Corvallis, OR.

Eugene

The Willamette River flows through Eugene, OR.
iStock/halbergman
The Willamette River flows through Eugene, Oregon, provid.

Eugene is a best city in Oregon.

Located on the southern side of the Willamette Valley, Eugene boasts a community with outdoor-minded individuals who are politically engaged and have a commitment to the arts. The University of Oregon adds some 44,000 students to the mix, who all add to the dynamic vibe of the city. Eugene, population 177,00-plus and one of Livability.com’s Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2023, has an impressive dining scene, top-rated public schools and a biking system that is second to none. Not to mention it’s home to three of the state’s official scenic bikeways. The city’s healthy economy includes manufacturing, technology and wood products, with lumber being the largest in the Eugene area. Winemaking also gets high marks here — wine produced in the Willamette Valley is known as some of the best in the world! These are but a few of the reasons to move to Eugene, OR.

Why is Eugene known as Track Town USA?

Eugene is a runners’ town and rightly so. After all, Nike got its start here and it’s home to former Olympian Steve Prefontaine, who is credited with helping start the 1970s running boom. In addition, the University of Oregon is known for its track and field program and for Hayward Field, considered one of the premier tracks in the country and the site of many Olympic track and field trials.

Read more about living in Eugene, OR.

Hillsboro

An aerial photo of Hillsboro, OR. Hillsboro is a best place to live in Oregon.
iStock/kuriputosu
An aerial photo of Hillsboro, Oregon, known for its strong tech presence.

Hillsboro is a best place to live in Oregon.

Hillsboro is just 20 miles west of Portland (and easily accessible via light rail) and stands on its own as a great place to live and work. With a population of a little more than 100,000, Hillsboro offers ample job opportunities, including a strong tech presence, which is why it is known as the epicenter of the Silicon Forest. Intel’s most comprehensive site for research and manufacturing is based here, alongside other technology, manufacturing and biosciences companies. The 50-mile Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway, which runs through farms, forests and wetlands, starts in Hillsboro. And like other Oregon cities, Hillsboro, named one of Livability.com’s Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2023, has a robust beer scene and is close to wine country. 

How is the art scene in Hillsboro?

Hillsboro is committed to the arts, which is evident with the 80-piece public art collection that dots the city streets. Various cultural performances, plays, art walks, concerts and events are always on tap so you can always find a creative experience. The Hillsboro Arts & Culture District has helped revitalize and redevelop the downtown area.

Read more about living in Hillsboro, OR.

Medford

Medford, Oregon and the surrounding area.

Medford is a great city to live in Oregon.

Medford is a community of roughly 87,000 people and is known as the Heart of the Rogue Valley, famous for its rich farmland and world-famous pears. In fact, Medford is home to Harry and David Operations, Corp., said to be the largest direct marketer of fruits and food gifts in the country. It’s also the economic center for southern Oregon with health care as the primary industry. Lithia Motors, a Fortune 500 company, is also headquartered here. The city has 28 parks, as well as several family-friendly attractions, which is a draw for many looking to put down roots. Medford is just an hour away from the state’s only national park, Crater Lake, one of the deepest lakes in the country. And, Medford made our list of the most affordable cities on the West Coast.

Why is agriculture so important in Medford?

The Rogue Valley has always been valuable farmland, and growers here have set the standard for Bosc and Comice pears, the two main varieties grown today. In fact, pears are the largest commodity in the region, with apples and grapes coming in close behind. The area is known for having a perfect climate for winemaking and has a thriving cheese industry, including award-winning varieties from Rogue Creamery.

Read more about living in Medford, OR.

Portland

A skyline view of Portland, Oregon, at sunrise. Portland is one of the best places to live in Oregon.
iStock/Shunyu Fan
A skyline view of Portland, Oregon, at sunrise.

Portland is a best city in Oregon.

Progressive and pretty are just two of the reasons why people keep moving to this vibrant Northwestern city. Portland, known as the City of Roses, has a population of more than 652,000 — the largest city in the state — and offers easy access to both the ocean and the mountains. It is praised for its livability, amazing restaurants, arts scene, plentiful outdoor activities and its commitment to sustainability. The city is bike-friendly, too, and offers up plenty of live music, coffee shops, craft beer, wineries and people who celebrate creativity and individualism. Several apparel and outdoor companies are headquartered here, too. 

What is so great about living in Portland?

First of all, the city is surrounded by natural beauty, and there are more than 200 parks, making it easy to spend time outside. Furthermore, it might just be the most bike-friendly city in the country with over 350+ miles of bike lanes! And even though it can be rainy, that doesn’t stop people from enjoying all the city offers. It’s also a place that attracts all kinds of creatives, from visual to performing arts, the area’s artistic assets are top-notch. Finally, its dynamic hipster vibe attracts young and old alike due to its great quality of life.

Read more about living in Portland, OR.

Salem

The downtown city skyline at dusk in Salem, Oregon.
iStock/Sean Pavone
The downtown city skyline at dusk in Salem, Oregon.

What makes Salem a best place to live in Oregon?

Salem is part of the Portland metro area in the heart of the Willamette Valley — on the Willamette River — and offers plenty of reasons to call it home. For starters, Salem is the state capital, making the government the largest employer in the city. Other big industry sectors include advanced manufacturing and technology; agriculture and food processing; wood products and forestry; and transportation and distribution. The rich farmland is ripe with vegetables, orchards and vineyards, which translates to fresh fare in area restaurants and farmers markets. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do, too. The city is home to numerous parks, including Minto-Brown Island Park, which boasts more than 1,200 acres of trails, picnic spots and playgrounds.

What are the attractions like in Salem?

Families and visitors alike can enjoy numerous gardens, museums, wineries and historic sites throughout the city. Salem also stages year-round events that range from a World Beat Festival highlighting 70 cultures and nations to the annual Salem Art Fair & Festival. Plus, the community’s Riverfront Carousel, a mainstay for more than 20 years, is definitely a hit with the littles!

Read more about living in Salem, OR.

Thinking of Moving to Oregon?

Finding a great place to live in Oregon doesn’t have to be a chore. We have more resources for moving to Oregon as well as other best places to live in the West. No matter where you want to live, we can help you decide where to move and discover the best places to live in the U.S .

Other Great Places To Live Near Oregon

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