Location Portland is located in the northwestern corner of Oregon at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers and is nestled between the Cascade mountain range to the east and the Coast Range to the west. It is about 65 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and sits on the Oregon-Washington state border. The Portland metropolitan area is made up of six counties: Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill in Oregon; and Clark County in Washington. Portland is approximately 175 miles south of Seattle and 640 miles north of San Francisco. Population The area population is 2.0 million, the largest metropolitan area in Oregon. It is ranked 25th nationally and is the 8th largest metro area in the 11 western states. Elevation/Climate Much of the area is on level terrain and is about 40 feet above sea level. The primary exceptions include the West Hills, Mt. Tabor and Mt. Scott, where elevations range between 500 and 1,100 feet.   The climate is mild, with temperatures averaging in the mid 70’s in the summer and mid 40’s in the winter. The Portland area gets approximately 37 inches of precipitation a year, most of which is rain. While Portland does get snow, it is seldom more than a couple inches a year and rarely lasts more than one or two days. A brief flutter of snow is enough to delay the opening of schools. Most of the area’s rain – 88 percent – falls between October and May. Click here to see current weather conditions. Government A mayor and four commissioners, all of whom are elected on a non-partisan basis to serve four-year terms, govern the city of Portland. Each of the counties in the metropolitan area is under the jurisdiction of a board of county commissioners. Amenities Portland has 9,400 acres of parks, including the smallest park in the world (Mill Ends Park) and the largest urban wilderness (Forest Park). Popular activities include camping, fishing, hiking, river rafting, biking, skiing, wind surfing, microbrew, coffee, and kite flying.   The metropolitan area offers many spectator sports including the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, MLS Timbers, Portland Thorns FC, and the WHL's Portland Winter Hawks. There are also running events, bicycle and car races, pro/am golf tournaments, horse and greyhound dog racing and more.   Portland has numerous art galleries and museums. It boasts a world-class symphony, ballet and opera, as well as a number of theater groups and jazz clubs. Local Attractions Oregon Zoo -- formerly Metro Washington Park Zoo   Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) -- a "hands-on" museum.   Japanese Garden -- 5.5 acre spot, perhaps one of the most tranquil in all of Portland, acclaimed as one of the finest outside of Japan, designed by Professor P. Takuma Tono. Included are the Flat Garden, Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, Natural Garden and the Sand and Stone Garden.   International Rose Test Gardens -- Founded in 1917, Portland's International Rose Test Garden is the oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States.   Rose Festival, with three parades, a Queen Coronation, and 25 days of other events. Other Portland Area Links Motor Vehicle Laws   Oregon license plates and an Oregon driver's license should be obtained within 30 days after establishing residency. If your current out-of-state license is valid, you need only pass a written exam and eye test. Go here for more information. Real Estate The median sales price for homes in Portland at the end of 2015 was $345,500 according to Zillow. Prices range from under $120,000 to over $1,000,000. Best source of information: Dianne Rodway and the City Properties Group.

City Properties Real Estate Brokers 503-246-3323

 

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