Moving to Oregon

An in-depth look at all the information you need to know when moving to Oregon, including some quirky fun facts about this beaver state and its laws.

The state of Oregon, also known as ‘The Beaver State’ is one of the most geographically diverse states in the U.S and in terms of its economy, it has a rich variety of businesses that come from various forms of agriculture, hydroelectric power and fishing. Not to mention it is known for its Timber reserves and is the top producers in the United States.

So, if you’re looking for a reason to move to Oregonor need to do so for work or personal reasons – Look no further than this guide. We have provided everything from pros and cons of moving to Oregon, to all the statistical information like demographics, job market, the price of living and even fun facts about the county!

Pros and Cons of Moving to Oregon

Appreciating what the state offers is two-fold, below is a list of some of the pros and cons of either moving to or living in, Oregon.

Pros

1. Its landscape has the best of both worlds: the coastal areas and the densely populated forest and Greenland.
2. It offers a whole range of different activities to its residents and holiday makers. From hiking to skiing and even wildlife observation.
3. It only has about 4 million inhabitants.
4. If you’re looking to go on a tour, you can include both Washington State and California, which is on either side of Oregon. Offering you some further sight-seeing options if you are new to the area.
5. Did you know Oregon’s sales tax rate is 0%? The state does not add tax to purchases.
6. The climate is very mild and rainfall in the region is concentrated more towards the coastal regions. So, if you live near the Columbia river, for instance, chances of getting days filled with sunshine and heat are a lot more regular.
7. You don’t necessarily need a car; you can ride a bicycle. It is known as one of the best cities for biking with bike paths offered on all majority streets. Not to mention biking clubs that you can join to encourage this activity into your daily life.
8. Last, but definitely not the least. Moving to a state like Oregon teaches you to become a lot eco-friendlier and more sustainable. It has one of the lowest carbon footprints to date, and as mentioned before, is one of the greenest regions in the whole of the United States. The state encourages recycling and energy-efficient practices in homes and in its green conscious-built buildings as well.

Cons

1. Unlike stand-alone fuel services, Oregon offers full-service fuel stations due to the laws implemented in 2018, where only counties that have fewer than 40,000 residents are allowed self-service options. The full-service stations are slightly more expensive because they have to take into account the employees’ wages that work at the fuel stations to help you. The advantage however is, you get additional services like window cleaning or oil checks.
2. Those who find the neighbouring state of California unwelcoming, often choose to move north to Washington and Oregon to maintain their lifestyle, but at a cheaper cost. The issue here is that the residents of the beaver state have been known to complain about the ‘superior and smug’ mentality of the newbies. So, if you are moving to Oregon, do expect some initial resistance.
3. Because of the many schools in the region of Grants Pass, there tends to be a lot of traffic in and out of the area, and this leads to some irritable traffic jams. The speed limit of 65 miles per hour, doesn’t help with this issue – making it a very slow ride home.
4. Rental costs can be higher than elsewhere due to the high demand of everyone wanting to relocate to Oregon.
5. If you’re planning on moving office to Oregon, it won’t be as challenging as starting a new business or perhaps even joining one, unless it is a reputable and well-established industry that pays well. The cost of living is high and the earning potential is low. Rated as the 49^th state out of all 50 worse counties to earn a living.

Fun Facts About Oregon

• Did you know Oregon’s state slogan between the years 1987 – 2003 was “We Love Dreamers; Things Look Different Here”
• Hells Canyon (the 10-mile-wide canyon situated along the eastern Oregon border) is the deepest gorge in the US.
• The state flag has a beaver on the back of it and is the only US state flag with a different image on the reverse side.
• If you are looking for the most ghost towns of any state – Oregon is your place!
• Portland is coined the ‘City of Roses’ after its famous ‘festival of roses’.
• No one knows definitely what the name ‘Oregon’ stands for. The closest to its meaning comes from the local American Indians who named it after a Columbia river which is called ‘Ouragan’.
• One of its key industries is Christmas Trees.

Weird and Funny State Laws

This state is definitely not one to be taken seriously with what some think are the quirkiest state laws they have ever heard. Whether they are true or not, we could gain some entertainment value from them.

Where some rules state absurd items like it is forbidden to whistle underwater or wear skates in public bathrooms, the code documents say otherwise – there are some rules that have yet to be proven wrong and that may just be partially-true:

• It is unlawful to fish with canned corn
• Juggling in the town of Hood River is forbidden
• Do not mis-use public bathrooms – lie in them, climb on them or stand on top of them.
• Abandoned iceboxes must not be left open, you need to take the lid off first.
• You cannot carry a minor on any external part of a vehicle for example on the hood of a truck or in the back.
• In the state, a dead person is not required to serve on a jury.
• It is against the rules to use a slingshot in Salem.
• It is illegal to leave the car door open for longer than necessary. Offloading or loading passengers is fine, but not longer.
• One is not allowed to hitch a ride on a car using roller skates, or a sled while holding onto the vehicles back.

Climate

The general consensus is that the state has a mild climate. However due to the variations in landscapes, with the forests on one side and the coastal regions on the other. Some months can be wet, especially during spring and fall and the rest of the summer is dry. Oregon has one of the most healthy renewable portfolio standards. Not only do they track greenhouse gas emissions, but the state is continuously finding new ways to reduce and reuse.

Its highest recorded temperature has been on 10^th of August 1898, where it was 119 °F (48 °C) in the county of Pendleton ( a city of the Umatilla County), and the lowest was recorded on the 10^th of February 1933, where it was a miserable −54 °F (−48 °C) at Seneca (in Grant County). Snow of up to 500 inches is usually concentrated in the Cascade Range, excellent for skiing.

The Landscape and Nature Activities

Oregon offers some of the bestlandscapes in the Northwest regions. From the 3 most popular mountain regions – St. Helens, Mount Hood, Mt Adam, which are all within a 2-hour drive.

The Columbia River is also an extremely beautiful area with waterfalls (Oregon alone has about 150 different ones) and also plays a major role in its landscape and attractions – and in fact a whole selection of outdoor activities has been created surrounding these mountain ranges and water features. One can go hiking, white water rafting, skiing and even whale watching or surfing on the coast.

Flora and Fauna

If relocating appeals to your nature enthusiast-senses, it does not stop at the mountain ranges and landscapes. The west coast offers some of the most diverse and unique wildlife too. With almost 60% of the state, covered in densely populated forests and Greenland you can find an enormous range of animals both big and small, including but not limited to opossums, moles, shrews, pocket mice, dark kangaroo mouse, bobcats, lynxes, deer California kangaroo rat, chisel-toothed kangaroo rat, bats, rabbits, pikas, chipmunks, squirrels, mountain beavers (the state mammal), porcupines, black bears, raccoons, moose, coyotes, wolves, foxes, skunks, badgers, antelopes, cougars.

Some of the Best Places to Visit in Oregon

Cannon Beach

Once the movers have dropped all your belongings to your new home in Oregon. It is time to do some sigh-seeing and get some of that Oregonian sight, sea and sounds into your system.

As the name implies, this beach name was coined after a Cannon from a shipwreck was washed ashore onto the beach. This resort stretches across 300 miles of coastline. offering its tourists a choice of different restaurants, art galleries and boutiques.

To the north of Cannon is a fabulous opportunity for hikers to explore the Ecola State Park which is filled with hiking and nature trails for your enjoyment.

Portland

With the famous of the three mountain ranges, Mount Hood boasting its exquisite sight in the distance and the Pacific Ocean just a short drive away, Oregon’s largest state – Portland, is one of the most recommended places to visit for new residents and old alike.

It is surrounded by expanses of natural beauty and offers a myriad of places to dine and wine, listen to music and see the arts and entertainment scenes. There is also a choice of many museums one can venture to.

Columbia River Gorge

And a few miles East of Portland, is this stunning expanse of a gorge formed during the ice-age, that stretches along a 70-kilometre U-shaped radius. This historic landscape is best known for its waterfalls and the best time to visit is of course in spring, when all of its natures glory is in full bloom.

Wallowa Lake

Or famously known as ‘The Little Switzerland of America’ is yet another gorgeous water feature located in the north-east corner of Oregon, it is a magnificent and still lake, sleeping in between the Wallowa Mountains.

These are just touching the tip of the iceberg, on some of the best places to visit when you move to Oregon.

Crater Lake National Park

This is not actually a crater as the name states, but rather an ancient extinct volcano that is part of the Mazama Mountain with cliffs created from the volcano’s lava, that extend to heights of almost 2000 feet high.

Many of the local and neighbouring residents frequent the crater lake to indulge in some camping and hiking activities over a weekend or long holiday. There are lots of camping grounds and weekend accommodation to choose from.

Natural Disasters

According to the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, the most common natural disasters that have occurred in Oregon have been:

• Floods and Storms
• Earthquakes
• Landslides and Debris Flows
• Tsunamis
• Volcanic Hazards
• Tornados
• Wild Fires

Housing and Real Estate

Buying

The shortage of inexpensive housing has led Oregon to consider a testing ground for a new approach to fill this gap, resulting in the state legislature passing a zoning law in June, that requires cities of at least 25,000 people or more to allow 2, 3 and 4 single-family unit housing in its neighbourhoods.

If you are looking to buy property in Oregon, according to data gathered by HomeSnacks, the cheapestplace to buy property is in Umatilla, ranked as number 1, while Sheridan is ranked as 10^th. With the average housing price being $117,200 and the intermediate income is $41,707, it has the 2^nd lowest pricing in the state.

Umatilla has a population of just over 7000 residents and the house price to income ratio is at 66.1x, compared to Sheridan which is 54.9x. Followed by Hermiston, Pendleton, Milton-Freewater, Baker City, Dallas, Creswell, North Bend, Ontario and lastly Sheridan.

Renting

Oregon also passed its country’s first nationwide rent control in March, which has capped the annual rent increases at 10%.

If you’re looking to rent, the city that tops this list is Ashland. According to reputable sources, some areas have experienced an increase in rent, but others have also seen a drop.

Over 40% of Ashland’s housing is geared towards renting, with a price-to-rent ratio of 18.60. On the other hand, Eugene has about 150,000 residents derived from the four colleges and the famous University of Oregon that caters for students and professionals.

A few statistics to consider:

• Median Household income in Ashland – 45,596
• Average commute time in 2013 – 16.8 minutes
• Average rent back in 2014: July to September – $ 918
• Percentage of income that goes to rent – 24%

Find more information here.

Tendencies

Home pricing has increased at more than triple the pace of wage growth over the past decade and rezoning is just one of the things that will merely make a dent in Oregon’s housing problems, alongside the increase in number of ADUs – accessory dwelling units.

In places like Eugene however, this idea was not welcomed as well as would have thought. Their city council has allowed for only about 7 ADUs being permitted to be built every year, and as such, many have agreed that, this is where the market is.

Price of Living

So, what is the price of living in Oregon and surrounding cities? The Economic Policy Institution’s budget calculator, can work this out for you – it breaks down the costs for you into housing, food, childcare, taxes, transportation and other necessities.

For example, if you are moving to Oregon with your family i.e. 2 adults and 2 children. We put that into the search and got the following breakdown (as of January 2010):

• HOUSING COSTS $ 641
  • Derived from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Thisrepresents the rental costs plus utilities if privately owned. The number of rooms depend on the size of the family i.e. Studio apartments are normally for one-adult and a one-bedroom apartment would be for two-adults and so on.
• FOOD $ 668
  • These numbers are based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its national “low-cost” food plan is adjusted according to individual areas using data from Feeding America’s Meal Gap data. The assumption here is that almost all food is bought from the grocery store and then prepared at home. And so, these numbers take into consideration the spend you should have to live an adequately healthy life-style.
• CHILD CARE $ 698
  • Child care expense numbers include both center-based child care and family-based care for 4-year-olds and school-age children. This date is taken from the Child Care Aware of America.
• TRANSPORTATION $ 1,208
  • The expenses for transportation take into account 3 things – the cost of car ownership, use, and transit. This data is extracted from the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT). More information can be found here.
• HEALTH CARE $ 1,449
  • Insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs are included in this category. The numbers are based on the assumption that families invest in the lowest cost bronze plans on the health insurance plan. The Affordable Care Act has all the data on this.
• TAXES $ 736
  • The National Bureau of Economic Research has an online tool referred to as TAXSIM, that calculates information on personal income tax, state income taxes, federal Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes.
• OTHER NECESSITIES $ 528
  • This includes items like personal care, apparel, household supplies (furniture, phone service and cleaning supplies), school supplies and reading material. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey provides all this data reported for households.

All in all, your expenses would amount to:

A monthly total of about $ 5927 and an annual total of about $ 71,121.

Demographics of Oregon

If you are looking for information on the demographics of the state, the World Population Review website has extensive literature on it.

The latest census shows the total population to be about 4,301,089 in the whole of Oregon.

In a nutshell, the average age across the population of Oregon is 39.1 years. And the percentage population of females to males is 50.5% females and 49.5% males as of 2020 – seems pretty balanced.

Ethnicity puts itself in the below categories:

• White: 84.42%
• Two or more races/mixed: 4.74%
• Asian: 4.28%
• Another race: 3.11%
• Black or African American: 1.91%
• Native American: 1.15%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.39%

You can read about more stats and facts about Oregon’s population here.

Education in Oregon

If you are looking to move to Oregon to study, here is a list of the top 10 universities in the area by ranking. Each link leads you to all the information you need regarding admissions, courses, yearly tuition, size and profile, accreditations and facilities:

There are 3,591 public and private PK-12 schools in Oregon. Below is a list of the top rated schools in the state by Elementary, Middle and High Schools:

Top 5 Elementary Schools

Top 5 Middle Schools

Top 5 High Schools

Healthcare and Medical Institutions

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is working to transform the existing health system from a costly one to a more affordable design.

It supports what is referred to as the Triple Aim: better health, better care and lower costs. By collecting data and putting forward health strategies that work, it ensures to cater to all sectors including the education/learning divisions to the child-serving systems.

Top 10 Hospitals in Oregon

List of Medical Institutions

Below you can find an extensive list of all the other Oregon hospitals taken from the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems.

A

• Adventist Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Tillamook County General Hospital – Tillamook, Tillamook County, Oregon
• Adventist Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Albany General Hospital – Albany, Linn County, Oregon
• Asante Health System – Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
• Asante Rogue Medical Center – Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
• Asante Three Rivers Medical Center – Grants Pass, Josephine County, Oregon
• Asante Rogue Medical Center – Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
• Asante Three Rivers Medical Center – Grants Pass, Josephine County, Oregon
• Ashland Community Hospital – Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon

B

• Bay Area Hospital – Coos Bay, Coos County, Oregon
• Blue Mountain Hospital – John Day, Grant County, Oregon

C

• Cascade Medical Clinic – Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon
• Casey Eye Institute – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Central Oregon Community Hospital – Redmond, Oregon
• Coquille Valley Hospital – Coquille, Coos County, Oregon
• Cottage Grove Community Hospital – Cottage Grove, Lane County, Oregon
• Curry General Hospital – Gold Beach, Curry County, Oregon

D

• Doernbecher Children’s Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon

E

• Eastmoreland Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon

G

• Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center – Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon
• Good Shepherd Medical Center – Hermiston, Umatilla County, Oregon
• Grande Ronde Hospital – La Grande, Union County, Oregon

H

• Harney District Hospital – Burns, Harney County, Oregon
• Holy Rosary Medical Center – Ontario, Malheur County, Oregon
• Hood River Memorial Hospital – Hood River, Hood River County, Oregon

K

• Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center – Clackamas, Clackamas County, Oregon

L

• Lake District Hospital – Lakeview, Lake County, Oregon
• Lane County Psychiatric Hospital – Eugene, Lane County, Oregon
• Lebanon Community Hospital – Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon
• Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Health System – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Meridian Park Hospital – Tualatin (metro Portland), Washington County, Oregon
• Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center – Gresham (metro Portland), Multnomah County, Oregon
• Legacy Meridian Park Hospital – Tualatin (metro Portland), Washington County, Oregon
• Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center – Gresham (metro Portland), Multnomah County, Oregon

M

• McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center – Springfield, Lane County, Oregon
• Mercy HealthCare – Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon
• Mercy Medical Center – Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon
• Merle West Medical Center – Klamath Falls, Klamath County, Oregon
• Mid-Columbia Medical Center – The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon
• Morrow County Health District – Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon
• Mountain View Hospital – Madras, Jefferson County, Oregon

N

• North Lincoln Hospital – Lincoln City, Lincoln County, Oregon

O

• OHSU Cancer Institute – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Oregon Health Sciences University and Hospital (OSHU) – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Doernbecher Children’s Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• OHSU Cancer Institute – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute – Eugene, Lane County, Oregon
• Oregon State Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon.
• Oregon State Hospital – Salem, Marion County, Oregon.

P

• Pacific Communities Hospital – Newport, Lincoln County, Oregon
• Peace Harbor Hospital – Florence, Lane County, Oregon
• PeaceHealth
• Cottage Grove Community Hospital – Cottage Grove, Lane County, Oregon
• Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute – Eugene, Lane County, Oregon
• Peace Harbor Hospital – Florence, Lane County, Oregon
• Sacred Heart Medical Center – Eugene, Lane County, Oregon
• Physicians’ Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Pioneer Memorial Hospital – Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon
• Pioneer Memorial Hospital – Prineville, Crook County, Oregon
• Portland Shriners Hospital – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Portland VA Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Providence Health System
• Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital – Hood River, Hood River County, Oregon
• Providence Medford Medical Center – Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
• Providence Milwaukie Hospital – Milwaukie, Oregon
• Providence Portland Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Providence Seaside Hospital – Seaside, Clatsop County, Oregon
• Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital – Hood River, Hood River County, Oregon
• Providence Medford Medical Center – Medford, Jackson County, Oregon
• Providence Milwaukie Hospital – Milwaukie, Clackamas County, Oregon
• Providence Portland Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon
• Providence Seaside Hospital – Seaside, Clatsop County, Oregon

R

• Regional Medical Center – Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon

S

• Saint Charles Medical Center – Bend, Deschutes County, Oregon
• Sacred Heart Medical Center – Eugene, Lane County, Oregon
• Salem Hospital – Salem, Marion County, Oregon.
• Samaritan Health Services
• Albany General Hospital – Albany, Linn County, Oregon
• Lebanon Community Hospital – Lebanon, Linn County, Oregon
• Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center – Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon
• North Lincoln Hospital – Lincoln City, Lincoln County, Oregon
• Pacific Communities Hospital – Newport, Lincoln County, Oregon
• Regional Medical Center – Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon
• Santiam Memorial Hospital – Stayton, Marion County, Oregon
• Silverton Hospital – Silverton, Marion County, Oregon
• Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center – Bandon, Coos County, Oregon

T

• Tillamook County General Hospital – Tillamook, Tillamook County, Oregon
• Triad Hospitals
• McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center – Springfield, Lane County, Oregon
• Willamette Valley Medical Center – McMinnville, Yamhill County, Oregon
• Tuality Healthcare metro Portland, Oregon
• Tuality Community Hospital – Hillsboro, Washington County, Oregon
• Tuality Forest Grove Hospital – Forest Grove, Washington County, Oregon

V

• VA Roseburg Healthcare System – Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon
• Vibra Specialty Hospital of Portland – Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon

W

• Wallowa Memorial Hospital – Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon
• Willamette Falls Hospital – Oregon City, Clackamas County, Oregon
• Willamette Valley Medical Center – McMinnville, Yamhill County, Oregon

Job Market

The state has an unemployment rate of almost 40%, as per data collected in October 2019. When you move to Oregon to look for work, these are some of the more prominent industries in the region:

1. Architecture and Engineering Industry
2. Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
3. Management Industry
4. Computer and Mathematical Industry
5. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Industry

The top 10 best industries to work for including their salaries and number on employees:

Things to Do

Once you have settled in this warm location, whether you have children or you are a single adult looking for activities to do and places to see, you can’t go wrong in Oregon. The below list has been compiled to get you started. It is vibrant with a variety of things to do. You will never get bored again:

1. Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
2. WAAAM or Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum
3. Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
4. Portland Japanese Garden
5. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
6. High Desert Museum
7. Whale Research EcoExcursions
8. Wanderlust Tours
9. Hartfield Marine Science Center
10. Columbia River Maritime Museum
11. Oregon Coast Aquarium
12. Washington Park
13. Powell’s Books
14. Lan Su Chinese Garden
15. The Grotto
16. Anthony Lakes
17. Oregon Observatory

Getting Around in Oregon

Bicycle: It is known as one of the most bike-friendly states and because it encourages green-living, it has bike pathways everywhere!

Mass Transit: Oregon has the Metropolitan Area Express (MEX) operated by TriMet. At the moment it has 5 different lines: Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, and Orange. This company offers Rail (67 stations), bus and streetcar (4.8 miles round trip) facilities for residents.

1) TRIMET RAIL:

• Blue Line (Hillsboro/City Center/Gresham)
• Green Line (Clackamas/City Center)
• Red Line (Airport/City Center/Beaverton)
• Yellow Line (Expo Center/City Center)
• Orange Line (Milwaukie/City Center)

TRIMET RAIL FARES:

• Adult (ages 18–64): $2.50 to ride for 2.5 hours; $5 for a day pass
• Honored Citizen (65 years and older; low income, Medicare or disability): $1.25 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.50 for a day pass
• Youth (ages 7–17): $1.25 to ride for 2.5 hours; $2.50 for a day pass

2) TRIMET PORTLAND STREETCAR

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday 5:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
• Saturday 7:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
• Sunday 7:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Sunday.

TRIMET STREETCAR FARES

2.5-hour adult streetcar ticket costs $2.50 or $5 for all-day and can be purchased onboard any streetcar.

Commuters can use the electronic-fare payment system Hop Fastpass to pay for any 3 modes of transport. These can be bought for $ 3 from either the ticket office itself or at a local retailer or grocery store. You can also reload it using a mobile app or from the same stores.

3) TRIMET BUS SERVICE

A popular choice for residents is the TriMet Bus Service. Popular bus routes include:

• 4 – Division/Fessenden
  • Clinton/Division Neighborhood, Mississippi Avenue
• 9 – Powell Blvd.
  • OMSI, Foster-Powell
• 14 – Hawthorne
  • Hawthorne Boulevard, Mt. Tabor Park
• 15 – Belmont/NW 23rd
  • Belmont Street, Northwest Portland, Providence Park
• 19 – Woodstock/Glisan
  • Sellwood-Moreland
• 20 – Burnside/Stark
  • Central Eastside, Burnside Street
• 63 – Washington Park
  • International Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, World Forestry Center Discovery Museum, Hoyt Arboretum

TRIMET BUS FARES

Paper tickets are no longer accepted, so you need to use your Hop Pass.

An adult (ages 16 – 64) pays $2.50 for 2.5 hours.

A day pass is $5 per day.

A month pass is $100 per calendar month.

An Honored Citizen (ages 65+) and Youth or Student (ages 7 -17) pays $1.25 for 2.5 hours.

$2.50 per day.

$ 28 per calendar month.

Crime and Safety

The state of Oregon has a complete page about crime and safety on its police bureau page. It has all the contact numbers and actions to take for its residents in the event they feel unsafe.

The City of Portland, Oregon’s police service is responsible for keeping its neighborhoods safe and free from crime. They have also included statistics of crimes on their website and it is updated every 30 days. On the top of this list is assault offenses with a staggering 9755 incidents and the lowest reports have come from nonforcible sex offenses, which were 26 – during the year between November 2018 – November 2019.

Acquiring a New Driver’s License

If you are thinking of moving to Oregon, don’t forget to put your drivers’ licence on the list of ‘important to-dos’. The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services is your go to for this service. You can renew or replace it as well.

Few things to keep in mind:

• You must turn in any driver license or permit from another state or country if you have one.
• You must turn in any driver license or ID card you have from Oregon.
• You cannot be suspended, cancelled, or revoked in Oregon or any other state.

Below are some fundamental steps in getting your driver’s licence:

1. Study the Oregon Driver Manual
2. Fill out the application
3. Take it to a DMV office
4. Show proof of your residence address and legal presence/identity
5. Pass a vision test
6. Optional – take the practice knowledge test
7. Pass the knowledge test, if required
8. Optional – Get Driver Training or get an instruction permit
9. Call to schedule a drive test
10. Pass the drive test
11. Pay the fees that apply
12. Get your picture taken

And if you are under 18, you will find some helpful information here when getting your provisional drivers licence.

Voter Registration

Registering to vote can be done online on the vote.org website. It is a simple and straightforward process.

Oregon Voter Registration Deadlines:

• In Person: 21 days before Election Day.
• By Mail: Received 21 days before Election Day.
• Online: 21 days before Election Day.
• Election Day Registration: N/A

Road Safety, Highways, and Routes

If you are moving your furniture , you have a choice of two major routes in Oregon, interstate 5, which runs north to south, and interstate 84 which runs from east to west, along the Columbia River.

Smaller connecting segments of the Interstate are I-205, I-105 and I-405, that provide increased access to I-5 at Portland and Eugene.

Oregon takes its road safety very seriously, and as a result its Safety Action Plan is documented in this extensive attachment from their Transportation Safety Action Plan and is easily accessible from their Oregon.Gov website. The authority responsible for the main highways is the Oregon Department of Transportation who have established safety programs that address everything from engineering, education, emergency medical services and enforcement.

Before you go on any journey it is always safe to check what the weather, traffic and road conditions are, and this can be done here via TRIPCHECK.

The statistics of accidents in Oregon, mention that there are nearly 150,000 car accidents in Oregon and Washington every year. Multnomah County is by far responsible for the bulk of these due to negligent, reckless, and careless driving.

Museums

If you are a museum enthusiast. Look no further than the below list of 10 museums we have chosen for you to visit at least once, after your move to Oregon.

1. OMSI or the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry – this is one for the curious. It inhibits fascinating items from the categories of science, technology and design.

Some of the things you can see are:

• Exquisite Creatures
• Empirical Theatre
• USS Blueback Submarine
• Kendall Planetarium
• Various Workshops like: Soap Making, Cider Making.

2. Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum– this is one of the most exciting places to visit. Not only is it a full air and space museum, but it is also kitted with an aviation-themed water park, movie theatre, vineyard and events center. How can you say no to that?

3. If you are a historical Wizz, the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers its visitors living from historical demonstrations to interpretive programs, multi-media presentations, exhibits special events, and of course more than four miles of interpretive trails.

4. The Portland Art Museum is a must-see for any art lover. They offer:

• Exhibitions on a regular basis
• Films to watch, learn and create
• Music festivals
• Summer Camps for Kids and Teens
• Tours and Events

5. High Desert Museum is described as ‘where wild meets west’ and geared towards the whole family, kids included.

6. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center where you can discover, educate and contribute. Full of events and historical informational and valuable pieces that date back to thousands of years.

The museum is home to an incredible combination of, rare plants, remarkable landscapes, wildlife, recreational opportunities, farmland, ancient Indian rock art, and the other cultural and historic sites.

7. Tamastslikt Cultural Institute celebrates 10,000 years of living history of all the different tribes and traditions of Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes.

8. Portland Children’s Museum is especially for the young ones. Full of fun activities, that are both educational and interactive.

9. Erickson Aircraft Collection initiated back in 1983, if you’re an aviation enthusiast, don’t miss this! It has an accumulation of vintage aircrafts, some of which can still fly.

10. Eugene Science Center has a planetarium with laser shows, indoor and outdoor exhibitions, a store and even school group programs.

In the end, is moving to Oregon worth it?

There is only one answer to this question – Yes, it is! With so many options to choose from, as per all the above information above – renewable energy, bikes are popular, various activities, a choice of educational institutions, medical facilities, good food, no state sales tax… to name a few. And there are 36 different counties to choose from.

You can’t go wrong when making a move to Oregon. It is filled with such a diverse economy, culture and educational experience that it is hard to resist moving there. Even though the housing prices are high, and rent can get up to almost $1500 per month, in comparison to other states, Oregon is not significantly more expensive than the others. It would definitely be a good option to bring up your kids.

How to Move to Oregon

Whether this is a long-distance move for you or within Oregon itself; planning and researching are fundamental before you get started. Looking for top moving companies or long-distance movers does not have to be a time-consuming task. These companies have professional movers and packers that will assist you in packing up your things and moving them to your new home in Oregon, in no time.

These professionals are experienced at moving both big items like moving your piano to moving your furniture and if it is your office that needs to be moved, they can help you with that too.

Below is a list of things to keep in mind: Check out our downloadable moving checklist.
1. Plan Ahead – it’s always a good idea to start planning your move as soon as the idea pops into your mind and no later. Leaving things for the last minute will only stress you out.
2. Downsize – start selling things you don’t need or giving them away to a charity, friends or family. The less you have to lug with you, the better.
3. Get Moving Quotes – because of the high demand of moving to another state, doing your homework on the right kind of moving company can cost you a lot less than doing it yourself. And if your pets are moving with you, here is guide on a few things to help you out.
4. Book Movers – book your movers just as soon as you have confirmed your move. You need to consider their schedule and availability too.
5. Visit Your New Area – it is always a good idea to visit your new area beforehand, to get a feel for it. Not only viewing the accommodation but also the surrounding area, neighborhood, nearby facilities etc
6. Start Packing – exactly that, start packing, and soon. If you start packing a little every day, you will have far less to throw into a box on the day of.
7. Create an Essentials Box or a Survival Box – also known as a first-night box it has been proven to reduce stress when you have an essentials box. this is literally a box (or boxes) that will help you get through the first few days before you unpack everything else. Ask yourself what would be the items you need to, for instance: prepare a meal, take a shower, help you sleep well at night, and fix something that’s bro ken i.e. a tool kit.
8. Say Farewells – some people like to throw a leaving part while others prefer a quiet get-together or a quick phone call…whatever your preference, don’t forget to say your goodbyes to friends, family and neighbors.
9. Get Some Rest – whether it’s a long drive to your new home or not, getting a good night rest the day before means you can get more done on the day of.
10. Enjoy the Move – make it a fun activity and it will be over before you know it!

Moving Services to Help You Relocate to Oregon

Furniture Transportation – moving your furniture can save you from having to buy new things later. Some furniture is sentimental and you want to take it with you. Whatever the reason for taking your furniture with you, professional movers make sure they get everything there for you in one piece.

Residential Movers – help take the stress out of moving and for added benefit it is always a good idea to take out moving insurance for your precious possessions.

Piano Transportation – big items like pianos can be a hassle to try and put in the back of your car, that’s why hiring a professional moving company that deals in piano transportation, is advisable.

Art and Antiques Movers – not all relocating services offer the right moving insurance for your needs. However, it is essential that with items that are of high value like art and antiques to consider insuring them if not already done, to make sure you don’t suffer loss or additional costs of breakage or stolen goods.

Hot Tub Movers – hot tub movers offer the service of moving your hot tubs and swim spas. Using the best equipment, they can safely move your hot tubs from one house to the other and if need be, install it back for you.

Pool Table Movers – pool tables are pretty hefty and need professional movers to do the heavy lifting. Pool table movers offer this service, using the best equipment and they can safely move it from one location to the other and if need be, install it back for you.

Office Movers – are experienced movers at moving all your office supplies including the furniture and equipment from one location to the other when you are relocating.

Long Distance Movers – careful planning and preparation is one thing to moving long-distance, but finding the right movers can mean the difference between getting your personal belongings to your new home in one piece or many! Many of these full-service moving companies have been in the industry for years and know the ropes. It’s always best to leave it in their hands.

Last Minute Movers – and then there are the last-minute movers who can also be called and provide exceptional services to help moving anything from your home or office.