Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Living and Playing in Portland

Portland is acclaimed for its beauty and livability. Area residents combine an appreciation of cultural and recreational activities with a comfortable, informal style. Desirable housing is available in many areas of the city, and school systems are of high quality. Friendly people, a moderate climate, varied recreational activities and magnificent scenery all add to the enjoyment of life in the Pacific Northwest. Portland is a national leader in urban planning, with a wonderful track record of controlling sprawl and enhancing the balance between urban opportunity and environmental preservation. Please see www.travelportland.com.

Portland is a food lover’s paradise with hundreds of food trucks and carts and the city is renowned for the adventurous fusion of food cultures.

Portland is also the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, famous as one of the world's premier wind surfing destinations. The Portland metropolitan area offers an abundance of recreational opportunities with its many parks, forests and waterways. Forest Park, located within the Portland city limits, is the nation's largest wilderness area inside a metropolitan boundary.

Learn more about living in Portland.

Portland Cultural Activities

Portland has an acclaimed symphony, an opera association with nationally renowned singers, a symphonic choir and several theater groups. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Oregon History Center, numerous museums and a newly renovated central library are among the cultural facilities in the city. Exciting nightlife and scores of fine restaurants and coffeehouses make Portland an enjoyable place to relax.

The most beautiful and authentic Japanese Garden in the world, outside of Japan is located here.

The Portland Timbers MLS and The Portland Thorns FC both play in Providence Park stadium and Providence’s Sports Care Center located at the stadium. Dr. Bre Brown, head of Providence Sports Medicine and a graduate of our residency, is also the Team Physician for the Thorns.

For more information on Portland and the surrounding area, visit: portland.citysearch.com.

Recreation

Portland offers a wealth of recreational opportunities. Sandy Pacific beaches, just 75 miles away, offer all the fun of the seashore. Mountain lakes, streams and snow-capped peaks are within 60 miles. Mt. Hood offers the only year-round skiing season in the United States. The world-famous Columbia River Gorge begins just 25 miles east of Portland. Public parks are scattered throughout residential areas, as are numerous golf courses, swimming pools and tennis courts. The Willamette River, which cuts through the city, is popular for boating, water skiing and salmon fishing. The Rose Garden Arena, home of Portland's NBA Trail Blazers, also hosts major concert tours. Bike routes and rail to trails make Portland a great bicycle commuting city.

Climate

Portland’s mild climate can be attributed to its proximity to the coast (maritime influence) of the Pacific Ocean. Although there are definite seasonal variations, the climate is without extremes of heat or cold. Average annual rainfall is about 42 inches, with many sunny days and frequent sun breaks.