We know relocating to a different area can be VERY overwhelming especially if you don’t have the luxury to explore it before you settle down. So we took some time to outline a few frequently asked questions and create a guidebook to help you navigate this process and learn more about the unique areas of the Portland Metro.
Each major suburb is listed (with a few exceptions) and includes a few guide points to help narrow down your search.
Address for Reference: Beaverton Library - 12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton, OR 97005
Distance to Downtown Portland: 8.3 miles
Schools Rating: A (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Nike, Providence, Analog Devices, VTech
Median Home Price: $570,000
Population: 96,756
Beaverton is so much more than Portland's next-door neighbor. Tucked between the dramatic West Hills and Tualatin Valley farmlands, this city has its own unique identity and it's filled with wineries, historic landmarks, international restaurants, boutiques, and Nike's global headquarters.
Address for Reference: Millenium Park Plaza - 200 1st St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
Distance to Downtown Portland: 9 miles
Schools Rating: A+ (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Micro Systems Engineering, Greenbrier, Black & Veatch, Yakima Products Inc
Median Home Price: $906,000
Population: 39,622
Lake Oswego embodies the Pacific Northwest lifestyle with its lush greenery, lake views, and proximity to the Willamette River. The best of Lake Oswego includes a charming downtown, modern shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods with stunning views of Mt. Hood.
Address for Reference: Willamette Garage - 1590 Willamette Falls Dr, West Linn, OR 97068
Distance to Downtown Portland: 19 miles
Schools Rating: A (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: SmithKline Beecham, Zupan's Markets, Oregon Golf Club, Parr Lumber Co
Median Home Price: $850,000
Population: 26,377
Bordered by the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers, West Linn is known as the "city of hills, trees and rivers". The city is home to The Nature Conservancy's Camassia Natural Area as well as Willamette Falls, the largest waterfall in the American Pacific Northwest by volume.
Address for Reference: Oregon City Municipal Elevator - 6 Railroad Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045
Distance to Downtown Portland: 13 miles
Schools Rating: B- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Benchmade Knife Company, Albertsons Supermarket
Median Home Price: $585,000
Population: 37,211
Oregon City has a small-town feel with a dense suburban vibe. It's a cultural hub with a rich history and is known as one of Portland's most walkable suburbs.
Address for Reference: Civic Center - 150 E Main St, Hillsboro, OR 97123
Distance to Downtown Portland: 19 miles
Schools Rating: B (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Intel, Kaiser, Applied Materials, Epson, Lattice Semiconductor, Qorvo, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tokyo Electron America
Median Home Price: $533,000
Population: 110,000
Known as the “high-tech hub of Oregon” or the “tallest tree in the Silicon Forest,” Hillsboro has some of the best land, power, and water resources in the country.
Address for Reference: Milwaukie Bay Park - 11211 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Milwaukie, OR 97222
Distance to Downtown Portland: 6.3 miles
Schools Rating: B (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Bob’s Red Mill, Dark Horse Comics
Median Home Price: $522,000
Population: 21,659
Living in Milwaukie is great for those who want a vibrant, beautiful city close to downtown Portland with abundant activities and opportunities.
Address for Reference: Sherwood Public Library - 22560 SW Pine St, Sherwood, OR 97140
Distance to Downtown Portland: 17 miles
Schools Rating: A- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: St. Paul Sherwood, Victory Academy
Median Home Price: $582,000
Population: 20,450
You will find rolling hills of farmland, dozens of wineries, and the protected wetlands of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Sherwood's quiet old town features a blend of shops including antiques stores.
Address for Reference: Wilsonville Visitor Center - 29600 Park Place Court, Wilsonville OR 97070
Distance to Downtown Portland: 18.6 miles
Schools Rating: A (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Siemens Industry Software, Inc., Swire Coca-Cola
Median Home Price: $633,000
Population: 26,221
Wilsonville is a gateway to nurseries, vineyards, and produce farms in the lush Willamette Valley. It also features Bullwinkle's, the region's only indoor/outdoor amusement center.
Address for Reference: Tigard Heritage Trail - 12345 SW Main St, Tigard, OR 97223
Distance to Downtown Portland: 10.2 miles
Schools Rating: A- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Consumer Cellular, Gerber Legendary Blades, LaCie, NuScale Power
Median Home Price: $632,000
Population: 55,781
Bustles with recreation, shopping, and culture, and hosts unique events like the Festival of Balloons each June.
Address for Reference: The Tualatin Commons - 8325 SW Nyberg St, Tualatin, OR 97062
Distance to Downtown Portland: 12.3 miles
Schools Rating: A- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Lam Research, Legacy Meridian Park Hospital
Median Home Price: $631,000
Population: 27,216
Variety of vibes including a safe, friendly, dog-friendly community with a vibrant arts and culture scene.
Address for Reference: Camas Boutique Hotel - 405 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, Washington 98607
Distance to Downtown Portland: 20.5 miles
Schools Rating: A (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Fisher Investments, Georgia Pacific, Analog Devices, Hewlett-Packard
Median Home Price: $950,000
Population: 27,518
One of the best places to live in Washington, offering a sparse suburban feel with most residents owning their homes.
Address for Reference: New Seasons Happy Valley - 15861 SE Happy Valley Town Center Dr, Happy Valley, OR 97086
Distance to Downtown Portland: 14 miles
Schools Rating: B (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Health Care, Social Assistance, Retail
Median Home Price: $719,000
Population: 29,865
Happy Valley is a suburban community with a reputation for its quality of life and family-friendly atmosphere.
Address for Reference: Burke Building - 267 Commercial Street SE, Salem OR 97301
Distance to Downtown Portland: 47 miles
Schools Rating: B- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: State of Oregon, Salem Health
Median Home Price: $434,000
Population: 177,487
Salem has a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming vibe, known for its vibrant culture, outdoor recreation, and food and nightlife scene.
Address for Reference: Vancouver Waterfront - 695 Waterfront Wy, Vancouver, WA 98660
Distance to Downtown Portland: 9 miles
Schools Rating: B (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: PeaceHealth, nLight, Vancouver Clinic
Median Home Price: $510,000
Population: 194,512
Vancouver is known for its outdoor activities, historic sites, and cultural attractions, providing a vibrant suburban lifestyle.
Address for Reference: Historical Downtown Gresham - 100 - 400 N Main Ave, Gresham, OR 97080
Distance to Downtown Portland: 13 miles
Schools Rating: C (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Mt. Hood Community College, Mal & Seitz, Eastco Diversified Services
Median Home Price: $498,000
Population: 111,621
Gresham is a welcoming community where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity in Oregon's fourth largest city.
Address for Reference: Mayor's Square City Park - 114 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060
Distance to Downtown Portland: 16 miles
Schools Rating: C- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: FedEx, Amazon, Tube Specialties Company
Median Home Price: $499,000
Population: 15,686
Troutdale is known for its charming downtown, family-friendly events, and access to the Columbia River Gorge.
Address for Reference: McMenamins Hotel Oregon - 310 NE Evans St, McMinnville, OR 97128
Distance to Downtown Portland: 40 miles
Schools Rating: A- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Evergreen Aviation, Wineries
Median Home Price: $536,000
Population: 34,530
McMinnville offers a lively, charming, small-town vibe with great shops and restaurants.
Address for Reference: Newberg Public Library - 503 E Hancock St, Newberg, OR 97132
Distance to Downtown Portland: 25 miles
Schools Rating: B (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: George Fox University, A-dec Inc., Providence, Wineries
Median Home Price: $513,000
Population: 25,477
Newberg/Dundee is known for wine country, the Chehalem Cultural Center, and Champoeg State Heritage Area.
Address for Reference: Meinig Memorial Park - 17670 Meinig Ave, Sandy, OR 97055
Distance to Downtown Portland: 28 miles
Schools Rating: B- (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: USPS, Retail, Service industries
Median Home Price: $499,000
Population: 12,953
Sandy is known as the gateway to Mount Hood with rich recreational opportunities, history, and a diverse community.
Address for Reference: Mossy Rock Gift Store - 398 Broadway St, Estacada, OR 97023
Distance to Downtown Portland: 29 miles
Schools Rating: B (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Estacada Lumber, Cascade Utilities Inc., PGE, Estacada Rock Products, Mastertech, Inc., Seufert Engineering
Median Home Price: $530,000
Population: 5,308
Estacada is a small town full of history and charm, from local artist murals to cute bakeries, offering a deeply rooted community feel.
Address for Reference: Wait City Park - 350 N Grant St, Canby, OR 97013
Distance to Downtown Portland: 22 miles
Schools Rating: B (According to Niche.com)
Major Employers: Johnson Controls, Pioneer Pump, Shimadzu USA, Kendall Floral, Milwaukie Electronics
Median Home Price: $540,000
Population: 18,074
Canby has a small-town feel, known for its welcoming atmosphere and historic downtown area.
Committed to helping clients turn their real estate dreams into reality with care, strategy, and personalized support.