Portland & Oregon

Portland & Oregon

With a population of more than 1.7 million in the greater metropolitan area, Portland is a major cultural center in the Pacific Northwest. Portlanders enjoy the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Portland Ballet, Portland Art Museum, numerous art galleries and live theater. Famous for its addiction to books, Portland has numerous excellent bookstores, including the legendary Powell’s Bookstore. Portland's culinary scene is exceptional, not only for its quality and diversity but also for its affordability. The Northwest was home to the rebirth of the microbrew industry and Portland was the epicenter. Oregon also has numerous wineries located close to Portland. In addition, Portland features its own professional basketball, baseball, soccer and ice hockey teams.

Portland contains 7,500 acres of parkland in 160 locations, including Forest Park, the largest urban wilderness area within any U.S. city. The Pacific Ocean is 80 miles to the west and the Columbia Gorge, Mount Hood, the Cascade Mountains and millions of acres of national forest are within one to two hours drive from the city. Recreational opportunities are limitless year-round.

The Portland metropolitan area enjoys a strong diversified economy. Due to model land use laws, growth in Portland and Oregon has been rational and controlled, without much of the sprawl that has impacted other urban areas. Portland has excellent public transportation (Tri-Met), including modern light rail and streetcar systems. As an added benefit, the OHSU offers all employees a substantially subsidized yearly transportation pass that can be used at any time on the bus and light rail and streetcar systems. OHSU also offers reduced parking rates for those residents who choose to drive to campus. Portland is also recognized nationally as a bicycle friendly city, and many faculty and housestaff bike to work on a regular basis.

What others are saying about Portland...

View the article "36 Hours in Portland, Oregon" from the New York Times about what to see and do in Portland.

View a New York Times article about the Portland dining scene.

Like to bike? View a New York Times article about Portland's top-rank as a bicycle-friendly city and a video clip on the bike business in Portland.

Guide to Portland Neighborhoods from the Portland Monthly Magazine (pdf)

Browse Portland with Google Maps Street View

View Portland neighborhoods from street level with Google Maps street view.

Cost of Living

Below is the cost of living of other major west coast cities compared to Portland (source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2nd Quarter 2006).

Due to a steady growth in the population and other trends in medical care, there is continued demand in the Northwest for physicians trained in internal medicine. Excellent opportunities exist in the urban, suburban, and rural areas of Oregon and Washington. In addition, excellent opportunities exist throughout the region, from Alaska to the nearby intermountain states ( Idaho, Wyoming, Montana), and California.

Portland Weather

Portland is situated about 80 miles inland from the Pacific Coast and midway between the lower Coastal mountain range on the west and the higher Cascade mountain range on the east. Portlandweather has a very definite winter-wet, summer dry climate. Summers are warm and dry while 80 percent of the annual total rainfall occurs from November through May.

Visit the Portland Oregon Visitor's Association website for more information about what Portland has to offer you.