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25 Best Pros and Cons of Living in Oregon in 2024
Have you ever wondered about the pros and cons of living in Oregon?
Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Oregon is not only filled with gorgeous coastline views and lush landscapes but there’s also much to say about the food and art scenes!
From housing costs to outdoor adventures in Oregon, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about what living in the Beaver state is like.
As a solo female expat who’s lived in over 12 countries, I know what to look for when moving to a new place so I can help you know what to look for.
Let’s dive in!
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1. Pro: Beautiful Nature Scenes
Oregon has some of the most beautiful scenic views.
This Pacific Northwest state is a great place to explore the outdoors with its lush green forests, majestic mountains, and rugged coastlines.
Oregon is known for Crater Lake, located in the state’s only national park. It’s the deepest lake in the United States.
Oregon is also known for its park systems and federally owned land reserved for recreation and preservation.
Imagine waking up to stunning nature every morning!
2. Con: High Risk of Earthquake
Oregonians are always talking about the “Big One,” which refers to a massive earthquake, rated a 9.0 magnitude, expected to hit every 300 years.
Seismologists say the Big One would be the worst natural disaster to hit the United States when it comes.
Many homes in Oregon are not prepared for disasters of this nature, so the “Big One” is always on everyone’s minds.
This con of living in Oregon may become top of mind to you, too, if you move to Oregon.
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3. Pro: Oregon’s Stunning Coastline
Oregon’s coastline is one of its most beautiful features. It’s all public and freely accessible!
The rocky beaches, bluffs, tide pools, and dunes are a great benefit to living in Oregon.
Hikers can take joy in the fact that they can hike or walk the Oregon Coast Trail, which stretches for 583km (362 miles) along the coastline, making it easy to take in the breathtaking views.
4. Con: Rainy Days
The rainy days are a con for living in Oregon. It can be wet and gray for months at a time. If you don’t like the rain, Oregon may not be the best move for you.
These long rainy days in the winter are known to bring about cases of S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), which is a type of depression that comes with the turn of the season.
The months of November to March bring the most rainfall throughout the state.
Even during dryer seasons, showers and grey skies can still arise.
With an average of 140 rainy days, you won’t see sunshine very often in Oregon.
5. Pro: Environmentally Friendly
Oregon is one of the greenest states in the United States, because of several laws and regulations designed to protect natural resources, reduce pollution, and conserve energy.
In Oregon, you’ll find innovative buildings powered by renewable energy sources and government-focused recycling initiatives.
A great benefit to living in Oregon is that recycling and renewable energy is affordable for solo expats!
6. Con: You Can’t Pump Your Own Gas
It is illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon.
Some people may see this as a pro, but I’m calling it a con because it can be a bit inconvenient if you’re in a rush or arrive after hours.
Though you may get services like getting wipe downs or other checks on your car, it comes with an extra charge. With the way gas prices are increasing, this definitely doesn’t help save on costs!
7. Pro: No Sales Taxes
Oregon is one of the only 4 states that do not have sales taxes. What you see is what you pay.
This is great news and a pro for living in Oregon!
As a solo woman looking to save money, you can get tighter on budgeting when purchasing consumer goods in Oregon.
8. Con: High Rates of Income Taxes
The lack of sales taxes needs to be made up somewhere else: income taxes.
Income taxes in Oregon are currently at 9% – one of the highest in the country!
If you make payments to Medicare or Social Security, you might be able to save money on your income taxes.
9. Pro: Great Neighborhoods
Another benefit to living in Oregon is that it boasts great neighborhoods to live in and explore. Many times, a city’s downtown area is the main hub of activity.
But since Oregon is home to many small towns and communities, there are plenty of local mom-and-pop shops or other attractions for you to explore.
You’ll never lack a night out on the town!
10. Con: High Cost of Living
A con to living in Oregon for solo expats is the cost of living.
Housing costs in cities like Portland are some of the highest in the country. The average cost of homes is around $528,000 USD.
Even if you plan to rent a place in Oregon, monthly rental rates are quite expensive. The average rent is around $1300 USD.
This expense can make it difficult to live comfortably in Oregon if you have hopes to purchase a home.
11. Pro: Bicycle-Friendly State
Oregon is very bicycle friendly and provides plenty of protected bike lanes throughout the state. Oregon also offers a wide range of bike trails and paths making it very easy to use bikes as a mode of transportation.
There are bike-sharing programs like Biketown to encourage Oregonians to commute or run errands on two wheels.
Bike riders can also keep updated on biking news through government webpages like BikePortland for safety purposes.
12. Con: Traffic is Terrible Due to I-5
Oregon is home to several highways that run through the state connecting different cities and towns.
Unfortunately, one of the major highways, I-5, often experiences traffic jams, and driving on it is often inevitable.
Sometimes you’ll find yourself stuck in traffic as early as 2 PM and still out after 7 PM!
🚗 Looking to get around Oregon by car? Find the cheapest car rentals here!
13. Pro: Well-Planned Public Transportation System
I can’t deny that Oregon’s public transportation system is quite well-planned. The TriMet system consists of buses and light rail trains that travel across the metropolitan region connecting major cities.
The MAX Light Rail System also connects major cities with their suburbs for an easy commute to and from work.
A robust public transportation system helps cut down time sitting in congested traffic, helps save on the costs of gas, and is convenient for expats living in the suburbs!
14. Con: High Crime Rates
A con to living in Oregon is the rising crime rates. Oregon ranks in the top 15 states with the highest crime rates concerning property crimes, murder, and robberies.
Though I’ve called out high crime rates as a con of living in Oregon, there are neighborhoods you can live in that have Oregon’s stamp of the safest cities such as West Linn and Sherwood.
As a fellow female expat, using common sense such as locking doors, avoiding shady streets, and letting my friends and family know my location has helped me stay safe.
15. Pro: Great Local Breweries and Wineries
When you live in Oregon, you have access to some of the best craft breweries and wineries in the country.
Though Napa Valley in California boasts of being a wine country, Oregon can compare with its numerous wine-producing vineyards!
You don’t have to make the 9-hour drive south to do a girl’s hangout in wine country–you can have fancy wine tastings right in your backyard!
16. Con: No Professional Football Team
If you are a die-hard football fan, then you’ll be disappointed to know that Oregon does not have a professional football team.
Oregon is focused on other sports such as basketball and soccer.
Instead of cheering on your NFL team, you’ll be supporting the NBA Portland Trailblazers, the Portland Timbers for soccer, and the women’s soccer team Portland Thorns FC.
17. Pro: Fresh Farm-to-Table Food
For the foodie at heart like me, Oregon is a dream.
Known for its fresh farm-to-table food, many local restaurants offer seasonal and sustainable dishes, and you can usually get fresh ingredients yourself at local farmer’s markets!
Winter is also known as crab season in Oregon so you’ll find fresh seafood in abundance along Oregon’s coastline!
18. Con: California Transplants
A con to living in Oregon is the influx of people from California. Since it’s just a short drive away, many Californians have decided to move to Oregon for better job opportunities and a cheaper cost of living.
Unfortunately, this has caused housing prices to rise significantly.
Oregonians don’t really like the fact that Californians are moving in–this could be a point of contention!
19. Easy to Vote
Oregon is one of the few states that allows for mail-in voting, making it much easier to cast your vote in an election.
All registered voters are mailed a ballot that can either be filled out and returned through the mail or dropped off at designated locations.
This takes some of the hassles out of voting and shaves off time for standing in long lines.
20. Con: Poor Quality of Education
If you have kids (or plan to have them), a con to moving to Oregon is the quality of the education system.
Oregon is currently ranked as one of the lowest in terms of quality of education such as student-to-teacher ratios, test scores, and graduation rates of low-income families.
Not to worry, though, as there are neighborhoods with top school districts like Sherwood and Lake Oswego that rank above the state average for quality of education.
21. Pro: Job Opportunities in Tech Companies
Oregon has become a hub for tech companies in recent years. As a benefit of living in Oregon, there are plenty of job opportunities available to those looking to work in the tech industry.
Whether you’re a software engineer, project manager, or data analyst, Oregon is a great place to find employment in the tech sector.
22. Con: Hard to Break into Social Groups
It’s known to be difficult for newcomers to break into social groups and make friends in Oregon.
Many Oregonians are reserved and like to keep to their groups.
They also don’t like outsiders (ahem, Californians) moving in and outbidding them in the housing market or raising the prices.
🤝 Do you want to make friends in Oregon? Join MeetUp and get to know new people!
23. Pro: Thriving Culture and Art Scene
Oregon is home to incredible art, music, and theater. The city of Portland is a hotbed for artistic talent. You’ll find plenty of events, live music venues, and theaters here.
From monthly art walks in the city to live storytelling events, you won’t lack diversity in the arts!
24. Con: Lack of Diversity
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 4 million people living in the state of Oregon and 86% are caucasian.
This would be a con for living in Oregon if you are hoping to live in a state with diverse groups of people, you may not find that in this U.S. state.
25. Pro: Outdoor Adventures and Beautiful Summers
A benefit to living in Oregon is that you will never lack outdoor adventures as you’ll have so much to explore right in your backyard!
For those who love to hike and camp, there are plenty of opportunities to do so in Oregon like going to Mount Hood National Forest.
The summers here are also beautiful with mild temperatures ranging from 16°-27°C (60°-80°F) throughout the state.
This makes it perfect for beach days or simply lounging around in the sun – when it’s out! Don’t forget to pack your beach essentials! Also, don’t miss kayaking in the lakes and enjoying waterfall hikes!
Wrap-Up: Pros and Cons of Living in Oregon in 2023
For a lot of people, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to living in Oregon. It’s important to consider your budget and maybe even visit the state before making the move to Oregon.
However, there’s a lot to love about this U.S. state when considering the great job opportunities, outdoor adventures, mild temperatures, and thriving food and art scenes.
Are you ready to move to Oregon? Check out my ultimate move-abroad checklist to help you transition smoothly!
🛫 Ready to move to Oregon? Find the most affordable tickets here!
Living in the USA Guides
- Pros and Cons of Living in North Carolina
- Pros and Cons of Living in South Carolina
- Pros and Cons of Living in California
- Pros and Cons of Living in Washington State
- Pros and Cons of Living in Montana
- Pros and Cons of Living in Chicago
- Pros and Cons of Living in Dallas
- Pros and Cons of Living in New Orleans
- Pros and Cons of Living in Los Angeles
- Pros and Cons of Living in Las Vegas
- Pros and Cons of Living in Iowa
- Pros and Cons of Living in Vermont
- Pros and Cons of Living in Seattle
- Pros and Cons of Living in Maine
- Pros and Cons of Living in Phoenix, Arizona
- Pros and Cons of Living in the USA
- Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado
- Pros and Cons of Living in Texas
- Pros and Cons of Living in Alaska
- Best Pros and Cons of Living in Oregon
- Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio
- Pros and Cons of Living in Colorado Springs
- Pros and Cons of Living in Nashville
- Pros and Cons of Living in Florida
- Living in Toronto vs. Chicago: Which is the Better City?
- Living in Puerto Rico Pros and Cons: Should You Move to PR?
- Pros and Cons of Living in Georgia, USA: Is Georgia a Good Place to Live?
- Pros and Cons of Living in Hawaii
- Pros And Cons Of Living In New York City
- Pros and Cons of Living in Arizona
Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
🙀 I don’t speak the language. Can I still live abroad?
Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
💻 Do I need a VPN?
Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. (Read more)
🏨 What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommend Booking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗 What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommend Discover Cars.
🚗 What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommend Viator.
