5 Best Cities to Live in Close to Portland, Oregon
Updated 04/2024
Across the country, many people are moving from city centers to smaller locales in search of more space and privacy and a quieter, more enriching quality of life. Like in New York and the Bay Area, many Portland, Oregon, residents are turning to suburbia.
Think the suburban lifestyle might be for you? Read on. We looked at the many desirable and highly livable cities and towns surrounding Portland, many of which offer the serenity many are looking for these days while still being infused with a little bit of Portland. We even updated this list to include a sixth city to expand your options.
(Median home pricing via Fidelity National Title)
1. Tualatin, Oregon
● Population: 27,942
● Median Home Price: $599,900
● County: Washington
● Distance to Portland: 12.3 mi (23 min)
Tualatin is located at the I-5 / I-205 intersection, just south of Portland in the northwest corner of Washington County (and part of Clackamas County). The translation of Tualatin’s name might give a certain impression about this seemingly unassuming little city. Its namesake is the nearby slow-moving river, which comes from the Atfalati (the region’s Native American tribe) and means “lazy” or “sluggish.” We like to think of it as “peaceful” and “serene.”
With its many parks and green spaces, palpable historic vibe, and commitment to the arts, Tualatin promises a charming and diverse quality of life. From its thoughtfully designed and executed community mural (by local artists Redstone Rodolfo Serna and Carlos Chavez) to its contributions to the county’s Quilt Barn Trail, Tualatin celebrates the arts and its rural heritage.
Annually, Tualatin residents paddle down the Lake at the Commons in giant, hollowed-out pumpkins for the Pumpkin Regatta. What can we say? “Weird” doesn’t only belong to Portland! Every year, thousands of visitors head to watch the spectacle of wacky Oregonians racing in 1,000-pound pumpkins.
Nature lovers don’t have to look far in Tualatin for their outdoor fix. Between the numerous parks, green areas, golf courses, and waterways, finding solace from the daily grind is mere minutes away. A few standouts are The Tualatin River and the Tualatin River Water Trail, Tualatin Lake at the Commons, Little Woodrose Nature Park, Cook Park, Tualatin Island Greens, and Tualatin Country Club.
In addition to the city’s natural, historical, and peaceful qualities, residents keep their eyes on the future. Since 2019, the project Tualatin 2040 has helped the city maintain a “big picture” approach to growth. It covers local issues like housing, transportation, employment, outdoor environments, and civic/downtown topics. It also creates financial and regulatory incentives to help residents meet housing needs and economic opportunities.
Check out homes for sale in Tualatin.
2. Oregon City, Oregon
● Population: 37,572
● Median Home Price: $621,999
● County: Clackamas
● Distance to Portland: 12.9 mi (30 min)
Oregon City sits between the Willamette River, running north-south along the city’s western edge, and the Clackamas River, an offshoot of the Willamette, running across the city’s northern boundary. Serving as the county seat for Clackamas County, Oregon City’s river borders contribute to its abundance of farmland and natural beauty that provide residents with a high quality of life.
For example, Carver Park is located on the Clackamas River, just 20 minutes from downtown, and provides activities like boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, birding, and rock collecting. You can also tent and RV camp along the Clackamas, hike on the eight-mile Clackamas River Trail or head out on a guided raft trip. Drive the scenic byway and take in spectacular views of old-growth Doug firs, salmon, bald eagles, and rare birds.
Oregon City is rich in history, too. The banks of the Clackamas were once a Native American settlement. In 2019, the Grand Ronde Tribe purchased the defunct Blue Heron Mill in Oregon City to restore the land on which it was built. A ceremony in 2021 marked the planned transition of the land back to the tribe and to its natural state. After the demolition of the building, the process to nurture and rebuild the land will start.
The end of the Oregon Trail is in Oregon City, and there’s an interpretive center offering guests interactive exhibits and costumed guides to portray life in the mid-1800s. Other venues that add to the city’s historical texture are the Museum of Oregon Territory and the Stephens-Crawford Museum.
Farmer’s Markets are numerous and popular in the region, but Oregon City’s market stands out. It won the 2019 Outstanding Large or Urban Market of the Year award. In 2021, Clean Eating Magazine named the market one of the best 50 markets in America. The year-round Farmer’s Market is a true focal point in the city, and it works hard to promote healthy, local, sustainable food as part of its economy.
Not many cities can claim to have the only outdoor municipal elevator in the US and one of eight in the world. Oregon City can! The original was installed in 1915, and after a few updates and renovations over the years, the still-operational outdoor elevator shuttles residents and visitors between two neighborhoods and accommodates the drastic elevation changes within the city. If you want to take a ride, look for it at the intersection of 7th St. and Railroad Ave.
A ride up on the elevator will take you to downtown, a beloved section of Oregon City full of boutiques and vintage and antique shops. You’ll also find plenty of spots to stop and refuel, from pubs and breweries to grills and coffee shops. Oregon City also has a good mix of worldly cuisines, including Mexican, Scandinavian, and Chinese, to name a few.
Find homes for sale in Oregon City here.
3. Milwaukie, Oregon
● Population: 21,119
● Median Home Price: $587,106
● County: Clackamas
● Distance to Portland: 6 mi (13 min)
Milwaukie is a quiet suburban area but still maintains a Portland vibe. It has food carts, its special brand of quirkiness, and a love for green spaces in the city. The city’s downtown has also undergone a revival in recent years. It now contains many wine bars, tap rooms, coffee shops, retail stores, and apartments.
At the same time, Milwaukie is a well-established city with iconic companies calling it home. One is Bob’s Red Mill, a maker of whole grain foods established in 1978. The other is Dark Horse Comics, an American comic book and manga manager that has been around since 1986.
Not to be stopped by a little rain, Milwaukie is also home to the annual Umbrella Parade, a procession of the town’s residents carrying decorated umbrellas en route to the annual lighting ceremony every December.
Milwaukie’s Food Cart Pod is right next to the MAX Orange Line and offers a great selection of cuisines and tasty treats, such as Thai, Mexican, Greek, pizza, and Ruby Jewel Ice Cream.
Not to be outdone by Oregon City, Milwaukie has another award-winning Farmer’s Market. (it won the “Best of” in 2012). It is located at the Main-Harrison intersection downtown and runs from May through October each year. It offers a wealth of gift items, plants, cut flowers, and prepared foods.
Milwaukie Bay Park is a sweet spot in the city, an 8.5-acre park that runs alongside the Willamette River near downtown. The park opened in 2015, and more plans were created in 2018 due to citizenry input. The COVID pandemic slowed down any forward movement, but as of April 2022, the project is moving again.
Milwaukie is also on the Springwater Corridor Trail, a multi-purpose paved walkway ideal for joggers, walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers. The 40-mile loop was inspired by the Olmsted 1903 plan for a parkway connecting various parks.
4. Troutdale, Oregon
● Population: 16,300
● Median Home Price: $549,000
● County: Multnomah
● Distance to Portland: 35 mi (16.3 min)
John Harlow, a sea captain from Maine, is credited with naming Troutdale. The story goes that after he bought the town’s original land claim in 1872, he chose the name due to a small dale near his home, which he kept stocked with trout. He also opened several trout farms in the area. While many small bodies of water that once dotted Troutdale’s terrain have dried up or been filled in the name of progress, several are thriving today.
Troutdale is an ideal city for those who love outdoor activities – especially fishing. The nearby Sandy River is the top-producing steelhead stream in Oregon, offering spring and fall salmon runs. The Columbia River has more salmon and steelhead runs than any river in the continental US. Fishing is available at the Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site, Company Lake, and Sandy River Delta Park.
Troutdale has several city parks and green spaces within easy access. Just outside Troutdale proper are parks such as Blue Lake Regional Park and Chinook Landing Marine Park. Some areas offer activities like boating, hiking, biking, swimming, and picnicking.
Mt. Hood Community College is just outside the Troutdale boundary, adding to the city’s youthful vibe and culture. The famed annual Mt. Hood Jazz Festival brings world-class musical acts to the area, and the school’s jazz program offers high-quality student concerts throughout the year.
You can find Troutdale homes for sale here.
5. Forest Grove, Oregon
● Population: 26,225
● Median Home Price: $574,900
● County: Washington
● Distance to Portland: 25.9 mi (51 min)
Nested in wine country, Forest Grove has 65 wineries within a 20-mile radius. It is an idyllic city that boasts culture and good taste. When viticulture is such a big part of a community’s fabric, it can’t help but carry over and infuse the mindset of its residents.
Pacific University, known as the Pacific Northwest’s top research institute, also contributes to the city’s vibe. Its mission is to guide students to “think, care, create, and pursue justice in a global community.” Many of the faculty and students live within Forest Grove, contributing to the city’s overall mindset.
Touted as the first city of Washington County, Forest Grove is also known for another first: the premier vintage car show in the region. Concours d’Elegance has been happening every summer for almost 30 years. It brings thousands of visitors to the Pacific University campus to view pre-and post-World War II classic cars.
Forest Grove is also known as the home of one of Oregon’s largest and oldest sequoias. This gorgeous, natural giant measures 32 feet around and 152 feet tall and has been deemed an Oregon State heritage tree.
Search Forest Grove homes for sale here.
6. Beaverton, Oregon
● Population: 97,494
● Median Home Price: $585,000
● County: Washington
● Distance to Portland: 8.2 mi (18 min)
If you are looking for employment opportunities, Beaverton is hard to beat. It is the economic heart of Washington County. It is the 7th largest city in Oregon and the second largest in Washington County, meaning you can still appreciate those big city vibes outside of the heart of Portland.
Along with Hillsboro, this city is known for its commerce, in no small part due to the Nike, Inc. official headquarters located right outside the city on unincorporated land. However, this city offers more than just Nike, with several wineries and breweries within city limits.
Even though this city’s population has grown closer to 100,000 strong, there’s plenty of natural areas to explore. Tualatin Hills Nature Park is known as “a breath of literal fresh air” by residents of the area. This parks and recreation offshoot offers everything from kid’s preschool programs to nature programs and camping opportunities.
Cooper Mountain Nature Park is a natural next stop if you want to explore more of the natural world. This recreation park run by is within driving distance of Tualatin Hills Nature Park, making it a great place for the whole family to experience the great outdoors.
Of course, if you’re looking for something more relaxed than a day hike, Cooper Mountain Vineyards is an excellent choice. This vineyard, founded in 1978, offers just a taste of the incredible produce grown in Oregon, allowing for the perfect date night experience, a quick jaunt from your new home.
Housing prices in Beaverton, Oregon, fall around the median for nearby cities, meaning you’re looking at similar pricing to the other population centers surrounding Portland. However, Beaverton is an excellent choice if you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of Portland, with slightly less population and more natural areas. Plus, depending on traffic, Portland is under 20 minutes away, perfect for an afternoon visit or a night out on the town.
Beaverton may not be your best bet if you’re looking for a suburb to escape the city’s busyness. With so much activity and commerce centered around this city, traffic can be a problem. However, living this close to a workplace hub can benefit those working nearby. The short drive makes commuting to Portland for work much easier if you live outside of Portland proper. Twenty minutes is a hard commute to pass up, after all.
Check out Beaverton homes for sale here.
Ready to Move to a Portland Suburb?
If you’re interested in exploring any of these five cities, we have good news: they all have homes on the market right now. If not, these are only five of the many suburbs in the metro area. It takes time to find the perfect location, and we’d love to help you in any way we can. Whether you’re ready to commit to one of these cities or are just getting started in your search, our top 1% buyers agents are ready to guide you on your real estate journey!
