Why moving to Oregon: Beautiful natural landscapes. Mild, varied climate. Diverse outdoor activities. Thriving arts scene. Eco-friendly culture. Robust job market. No sales tax. Quality public education. Progressive politics. Growing craft beer industry.
Beautiful natural landscapes
Moving to Oregon offers unparalleled access to diverse and stunning natural landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, ancient forests, rugged coastlines, and vast deserts, providing endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and a deep connection with nature. To explore these possibilities further, you can visit the Oregon Essential website, which provides in-depth guidance and insights for those considering making Oregon their new home.
Mild, varied climate
Oregon's climate is characterized as mild and varied, influenced by the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Range, which moderates temperatures and creates distinct weather patterns between the wetter western side and the more arid eastern side of the state. For a more detailed understanding of these climatic influences, you can explore the Oregon's Climate Summary, which provides in-depth insights into the state's diverse weather patterns and geographical factors.
Diverse outdoor activities
Moving to Oregon offers a vast array of diverse outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and golfing, set amidst pristine wetlands, nature parks, wildlife refuges, forests, and tranquil waters. Central Oregon provides endless outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, paddling, and rock climbing, with varied landscapes ranging from high desert to lush forests and emerald-green waterways. Oregon's geographical diversity makes it an outdoor lover's playground, with activities like kayaking on legendary rapids, exploring rivers, and rafting trips, set against a backdrop of rugged volcanoes, sparkling lakes, and dense evergreen forests. For more information on these adventurous pursuits, check out the exciting options on Tualatin Valley, where nature's beauty converges with outdoor thrill.
Thriving arts scene
Oregon, particularly Portland, boasts a thriving and innovative arts scene that stays in touch with international trends while honoring its Pacific Northwest roots, featuring numerous galleries, museums, and arts organizations like the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Oregon Contemporary, and the Portland Art Museum. These institutions host a wide range of events, exhibitions, and performances that showcase local and international artists.
Eco-friendly culture
Moving to Oregon, particularly Portland, offers a robust eco-friendly culture with stringent green building codes, sustainable home options, and a plethora of eco-friendly lifestyle choices. This vibrant city is abundant with farmers' markets, organic food stores, and boasts extensive public transportation and bike-friendly infrastructure. To explore more about sustainable living in Portland, you can visit Eco-Friendly Living In Portland, which serves as a comprehensive guide to sustainable homes and lifestyle in the area.
Robust job market
Oregon boasts a robust job market, with 114,000 job openings in August 2024 and a job openings rate of 5.4%, higher than the national rate of 4.8%. The state also saw an average of 73,000 hires per month over the past year, indicating a dynamic and active labor market. For more detailed information about the job openings and labor turnover statistics in Oregon, you can visit the official website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
No sales tax
Moving to Oregon offers the advantage of no general retail sales tax, allowing residents to pay only the listed price at checkout without additional sales tax. This can significantly increase consumer purchasing power and attract shoppers from neighboring states. For more insights on how this policy impacts both consumers and businesses, visit the Oregon Sales Tax Guide.
Quality public education
Moving to Oregon may not be ideal if quality public education is a top priority, as the state's school system ranks 45th overall, with poor test scores and dropout rates despite high spending on education. According to a study, Oregon has the 7th worst school system in the nation, making it a challenging environment for families who value educational excellence. For more details on this study, you can visit the Oregon School System Analysis to understand the factors contributing to this ranking and what measures are being considered to improve the situation.
Progressive politics
Moving to Oregon can be appealing for those interested in progressive politics, as the state is home to the Oregon Progressive Party, which supports economic justice, environmental justice, and grassroots democracy. It has a political climate that leans moderately liberal with a strong Democratic presence.
Growing craft beer industry
Moving to Oregon may not be ideal for those focusing on a growing craft beer industry, as the state's craft beer sector is currently facing significant challenges, including declining draft beer sales, rising costs, and increased competition from non-traditional alcoholic beverages, leading to brewery closures and financial struggles. Despite its historical reputation as a craft beer haven, the industry is adapting by diversifying product offerings and enhancing taproom experiences, but it is not in a growth phase at present. For more information, you can visit the Oregon Public Broadcasting article about these changes.