The beautiful state of Oregon is nestled in the northwest part of the country between Washington state on the top, California on the bottom, and Nevada and Idaho to the east. Known for being incredibly environmentally friendly and having some of the most awe-inspiring views in the country, there are so many great places to live throughout the state. Check out these seven cities that are some of the best places to live in Oregon.
1. Portland
2. Corvallis
3. Salem
4. Bend
5. Eugene
6. Hillsboro
7. Beaverton
Portland
Oregon’s largest city offers renters plenty of unique housing, diverse cuisines, bars galore, and endless weird fun across its 145 square miles. Coffee-lovers and beer-lovers rejoice for the city’s coffeehouses, home to some of the country’s best baristas and microbreweries.
Outdoorsy folks will love being right between two rivers, surrounded by parks like Washington Park, the Japanese Gardens, and Forest Park, and living in one of the nation’s most bike-friendly areas. Creatives are in awe of the art, music, and theater scenes and foodies drool over staples like Voodoo Doughnuts and fresh seafood. The “City of Roses” is also home to many big-name corporations that have professionals from all industries flocking to the city and its suburbs.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Portland is $1,425, and it’s not too far away from other great towns when you hop on the MAX Light Rail.
Corvallis
Home to Oregon State University, Corvallis gives off small-town vibes despite its 60,000+ population because of the seasonal coming-and-going of students. But this city still has plenty to offer residents all year round, including outdoor activities like water sports, hiking, and mountain biking, unique shopping, public art, and a host of wineries, breweries, and distilleries. One of the other pros to living in Corvallis is that you have a short commute, with an average of 16 minutes to nearly anywhere around town.
With such a high student population, Corvallis’s housing is mostly rental units. Currently, average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Corvallis is $875 per month.
Salem
Salem, the state capital, is one of the best places to live in Oregon because it’s centrally located, with Portland, Eugene, and the gorgeous coast each only an hour’s drive away. Like many other places in the state, Salem provides its residents with many outdoor activities, including breathtaking hiking trails, Riverfront City Park, and water sports in the Willamette River. The city also has many family-friendly activities, like the Enchanted Forest, a magical wooded wonderland, and the Gilbert House Children’s Museum. Since Salem is more rural, you can get tons of fresh, locally sourced ingredients grown nearby. Hit up the farmers markets that regularly appear around town.
If this sounds like the Oregonian spot for you, you can get a one-bedroom apartment in Salem, Oregon, for an average of $995 per month.
Bend
If you’re looking to live a bit closer to the mountains, consider moving to Bend. You’re just minutes away from Mt. Bachelor, which offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding action in central Oregon, Broken Top, and Paulina Peak. It’s also right on the outskirts of Deschutes National Forest, a perfect destination for hiking, hunting, and mountain biking. Plus, the moderate weather offers plenty of sunny days with a mix of snow.
With its cozy, small-town feel, Bend is a great destination for renters who want to know their neighbors and get involved in community activities. There’s a community arts center called the Workhouse with a gallery, studios, and classes. And since the city’s also known as “Beer Town USA,” with more breweries per capita than all the other Oregon cities, Bend plays host to many a beer-lover for many annual festivals. Join this wonderful community with average rent for a one-bedroom place costing $1,638.
Eugene
Another college town, Eugene is home to a lively arts scene and dynamically diverse culture. Located near both the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers as well as numerous parks, you have access to kayaking, rafting, hiking, biking, and more. It’s also a runner’s mecca, with 42 miles of dedicated jogging trails. Once you’re a local, you’ll love heading down to 8th Avenue and Oak Street for the Eugene Saturday Market, where you can buy artisan goods, taste delicious internationally inspired foods, and bop along to live music.
If you’re already sold on this city, you can pick a spot in any of Eugene’s 23 neighborhoods and rent a one-bedroom place for an average of $900.
Hillsboro
You’ve heard of Silicon Valley, but the Silicon Forest is a technology hub all its own, of which Hillsboro, Oregon, is part. Since some of the world’s biggest companies reside here, you might come to this city looking for stellar job opportunities. But Hillsboro is also known for its amazing parks, fantastic shopping centers, and surplus of local breweries and restaurants of many cultural cuisines. If you’re a history buff, you can visit all of Hillsboro’s nine sites designated by the National Registry of Historic Places, and if you love sports, go to a baseball game to watch the Hillsboro Hops.
It’s good to know that the hustle and bustle of Portland isn’t too far off when you have access to the Portland MAX Light Rail. Become a local of Hillsboro with rent for a one-bedroom apartment priced at $1,606 per month on average.
Beaverton
Another spot in the Silicon Forest, Beaverton is a modestly populated city with under 100,000 residents, which makes it a relatively tight-knit community. It’s also a suburb of Portland, so it’s close to urban amenities with a quick drive or train ride. Some of the town’s best features include its highly-rated public school system and private school options, access to incredible parks like Cooper Mountain State Park and Greenway Park, and mouth-watering food from French bistros, hometown diners, and coffee shops.
If Beaverton is the place you want to be, you can get a one-bedroom apartment in Beaverton, Oregon, for an average of $1,298 per month.
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