Overview

There are at least a dozen good reasons why Money magazine named Portland, OR, America’s Best Big City. Here are just a few:

Few would argue that this affluent city is set in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Towering trees, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and rivers all work their magic on locals and visitors alike. And if you’re an outdoor enthusiast – and you will be if you live here – Portland can’t be beat. Within the city we have over 40 miles of hiking trails and 200 parks that just begged to be walked. Flowers are planted everywhere. You can drive an hour east and ski Mt. Hood practically year round, or drive 90 minutes west and enjoy the ocean.

Portland enjoys all the arts and culture of any major city, including numerous festivals that draw visitors from around the world, and yet our half-a-million residents manage to maintain a strong sense of community. Education is a principle focus, with several universities and colleges in the area. Our dining and shopping are fantastic, and there is NO sales tax.

Remember: Those are just some of the reasons Portland was named America’s Best Big City. We haven’t even talked about the friendly people, our world class microbreweries, vineyards, and coffee houses.

Portland was once known as America's best kept secret, but for the last 20 years it has been consistently listed among the best places to live, work and play. Thanks to strong city planning, including a height restriction on building, Nature remains the principle focus. Early city council members effectively drew a line around the metropolitan area, and left plenty of farmland and open spaces around it. Traffic congestion is held at bay by excellent light rail transportation, buses, and trolleys.

Major employers Nike and Intel make their home base here, along with over 1,700 other technology outfits and manufacturing/distributing companies. The lumber industry is still a major exporter, just as it was when Portland was first founded back in the 1800s. And because the Port of Portland, situated on the Willamette River, is one of the top 5 auto import centers in America, AND we have no sales tax, the auto industry is booming.

Transportation

Portland is situated in the northwest corner of Oregon, about 3 hours south of Seattle, WA. Highways I-5, I-405, and I-84 connects Portland in all driving directions, and the Port of Portland on the Willamette River connects us by water.

If you prefer public transportation in and out of the area, Amtrak is a scenic alternative, especially for longer trips to Seattle or San Francisco. Portland International Airport is only 20 minutes northeast of the city.

Locally, there is easy public transportation via Trimet our award-winning light rail, bus, and streetcar system.

History

It was a coin toss that determined Portland’s name. The two tossing coins were intent on naming “The Clearing”, as it was known, after their favorite towns back home. The winner named it after Portland, Maine. Had the coin landed the other way, The Clearing would have been called Boston.

By 1850 Portland had over 800 residents and a thriving economy, mostly consisting of a sawmill and a small hotel. Because of it’s location on the Willamette River, Portland was the major port until the railroad came through in the 1890s and there was no more need to navigate the dangerous waters of the Columbia River.