FREE Search for Portland Apartments and Homes

With more than half a million residents and counting, Portland, Oregon, is one of the nation's fastest-growing cities. Why are people flocking to apartments for rent in the Rose City? Location has a great deal to do with this city's appeal. Portland is located where two rivers meet, with forests and volcanoes all around. It's hard to imagine a more picturesque setting, with the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens nearby. Exploring apartments for rent in the Rose City is sure to be the right road to a beautiful new place to call home.

Quality of Life
Despite its fast growth, Portland is a unique big city in the manner in which it has resisted urban sprawl and maintained a sharp line between the metro area and the nature surrounding the city. Because they.ve worked hard to maintain their landscape, Portland locals can take advantage of their beautiful surroundings with recreational activities like hiking, camping, boating and bird watching.

But don't assume that this city is limited just to spectacular nature. For those who prefer the perks of urban living, Portland has them in abundance. Attractions include numerous museums, a zoo, planetarium, forestry center, formal gardens, symphony orchestra and a ballet company. The city has abundant offerings at night, too. The city's brew pubs, coffee houses, eclectic restaurants, funky nightlife and live music scene make this a cool place to hang out in, especially for the socially minded, bicycle-riding, Birkenstocks-in-the-boardroom types that seem to make up a significant portion of the local population.

Where the Jobs Are
Portland enjoys a diverse economy with jobs available in a wide variety of areas. Major industries include manufacturing, distribution, retail, wholesale trade, government and business services. When it comes to manufacture, the chief products are machinery, electronics, metals, transportation equipment and (perhaps the most famous Oregon product) lumber and wood products. In recent years, technology has grown in significance as the "Silicon Forest" attracts more high-tech companies and employees. In fact, there are more than 1,700 high-tech companies located in Portland's metro area, employing a significant portion of the city's workforce. Additionally, tourism and its related services are major employers for the region.

Cost of Living & Apartment Prices
Life in Portland doesn't come cheap, unfortunately. The city has an overall cost of living at 20% above the national average, with apartment rentals among the more costly expenses. In fact, you can expect average apartment rentals to cost $730 per month. For more affordable apartments, take a look at the east side of town, where rents tend to be cheaper.

Neighborhoods to Explore
Downtown, check out the hip Pearl District, a thriving community of art galleries, eclectic restaurants, cool clubs and upscale loft apartments. You'll also find concentrations of apartments for rent near the city's numerous institutions of higher learning, including the University of Portland, Concordia College, Lewis and Clark College and Portland State University.