Portland Real Estate

Portland is regularly voted as one  the US’s most livable cities. In many respects its more like a mid-sized European city than an American one.  Portland is well-known for having one of the best public transport systems in the country, and a compact city center which you can walk from one side to the other in under an hour. City ordinances make parking difficult and expense but he integrated light rail, street car and bus system is free downtown and low cost and extensive elsewhere. For the fit Portland is regularly voted as  the best US cities for cyclists with many safe and wide cycle lanes.

With a city economy based around tourism and high tech, not to mention the large  Portland State University –  Portlanders are a very mobile lot with many arriving and departing each year. Underlying demand has meant that the city’s real estate market has not collapsed to the extent that many have in depressed mid-west areas.

Portland is doing relatively well in  difficult economic times, and is even starting to see internal migration from troubled states such as California.  Portland’s reputation as a relatively safe US city probably helps here too.

If you are looking to buy a property in Portland than you really should be considering a property near too the main transport links – no not the freeways -the light rail and cycle ways. Also  read up on the city’s plans for extending existing transit routes – in a town where the people are used to taking public transit an extension  of particularly a rail line will push up property prices within walking or cycling range.

The relatively young population, as well as its reputation of being the most gay friendly west-coast city outside of San Francisco – means that small properties particularly upmarket apartments are in demand in  Portland.  Larger family homes may take a little longer to sell however.