named the 5th best small town in America by CNN/Money Magazine...
Oregon’s beautiful scenery is a year-round source of enjoyment. Driving in Oregon’s winters, however, can be challenging. Follow these recommendations so you arrive safely at your destination! Please click here to download the Oregon Winter Driving Guide
The Northwest is home to a variety of different mountain ranges which can be extremely picturesque as a view from your back window. If you’re planning on settling in Oregon it is important to note that you could be in close view of some of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the Northwest by carefully selecting your property. Mountain range is really add to the value of your home and can give you plenty of opportunity for hiking, exploring and getting in touch with the outdoors. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top mountain ranges in the Northwest that you could possibly enjoy a view of by purchasing real estate in Oregon:
These are just a few of the great mountains of the Northwest that you could potentially explore or have views of from your new home in Oregon.
If you are currently, or plan to be, house hunting in Oregon then let us tell you some of the top reasons you should consider moving to Oregon:
If you are looking for an excellent area to settle down with a family or even just for yourself a commonly overlooked state to settle in these Oregon. From the eclectic art scene of Portland to the natural beauty of Oregon city to the fantastic outdoor activities in Bend, Oregon has cities and areas that are perfect for nearly any personality type. Here’s some of the top reasons you should consider Oregon as a house hunter:
Don’t forget to browse the homes for sale by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page, and conversely if you are looking to sell and leave our beautiful state for somewhere else, click the “Sell Real Estate” tab and we’ll help you make the transition seamless.
If the previous article wasn’t enough to sway you to consider Oregon as a place you’d like to live, then please read on and let us remind you why you need to move to Oregon today!
Many people consider relocating to Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas for several reasons. Do you love the close proximity to the famous Oregon Coast, St Helens, Mt Hood and more? There are seemingly endless acres of large forest available for hiking, fishing and camping. Furthermore, there are great attractions where tourists can visit including luxury villas for rent and sale. Real estate business has been doing very well in this region given its close proximity to social amenities as well as other entertainment facilities. This state sets the national bar for bicycle commuting/riding in lieu of cars, making it recognized worldwide as the innovators of revolutionary waste recycling programs. There is a plethora of well established independent performance theaters as well as movie houses which serve homemade pizzas and beer.
What else are you looking for? When you move to this state, you will definitely enjoy the easy commute in the cities and its suburbs. There is a massive transit system connecting both large and small towns in the region. Furthermore, there are lower real estate prices as well as the cost of living thus many people find it easier to live here. This state is the home to several well known amenities including green space, public transit, local arts as well as entertainment scene. If you want to start a community garden, then it will be very easy for you to start one here at Oregon. Do you really love dogs, wine, beer, art and other outdoorsy stuff in general? Then you need to take your coat off and remain awhile because you are already home. Oregon is more attractive compared to the southern and northern neighbors, California and Washington, thus for those who are seeking to move to the west coast, Oregon in general is an excellent landing spot.
If you are considering making the move, please browse properties that are available for sale by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top to get in touch with an agent today.
There are numerous hot spots around the nation, locations that people are flocking to in droves because the quality of living and offered amenities is simply extraordinary. Of these hot spots, it may come as a surprise to many that Oregon has topped the list for two years in a row. For us native Oregonians there is no question, this is the place to be!
In a recent study from United Van Lines where over 129,000 moves were tracked, the company found that “66% of all interstate moves in Oregon were from people moving into the state, rather than leaving it.” This again confirms what we just said, we Oregonians are here to stay. So what is it that’s attracting so many new residents?
The answer to the question is multi-faceted, though at the very core it can be attributed to the “long-term trend of migration to southern and western states where house costs are lower, climates are more temperate and job growth is at or above the national average.” The median price for a single-family home in Portland is $285,000, compared to $481,000 in Los Angeles and $881,000 in San Francisco.
In addition to lower real estate prices and a lower cost of living, Oregon is home to many great amenities including public transit, green space and the local arts and entertainment scene. Oregon is also an incredible Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with endless hiking/biking trails, the Pacific Coast, Mt. Hood and countless other excursions. Portland’s central location to all of these amenities make it comparatively desirable to other Oregon towns.
Oregon is attractive compared to its northern and southern neighbors, Washington and California, so for those seeking a move to the west coast in general Oregon is a good place to land. Did you know that Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world? It also has the country’s highest percentage of two-wheeled commuters and is consistently voted as bike-friendliest. If you’re considering a move to Oregon then please start your property search by clicking the “Buy Real Estate” tab at the top of the page!
The consistent drop in fuel prices since late last summer 2014 hasn’t gone unnoticed by anyone, and for those of us in the great northwest there is no exception. Watching the prices dip just under $2.00 a gallon in some spots has left us smug with that feeling of savings and frugality as we drive away from the pump, the high costs of the past summer just a memory by now. For the first time since 2009 the cost of a gallon of gas is cheaper than that of a bottle of water (a gallon of store-bought water averaged $2.20/gallon versus $1.68/gallon for gas)! No, we are not suggesting that you switch up your beverage of choice, let’s just take a quick look at the numbers:
Average cost of 1 gallon of gas in the United States – $2.07/gallon
Average cost of 1 gallon of gas in Oregon – in many places less than $2.00/gallon
Average cost of 1 gallon of water in the United States – $1.79/gallon
What does this mean? This means that there has been an increase in both domestic and OPEC production. “Any time you’re able to compare gas prices to water, it’s a very unique situation,” said Allison Mac, a petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com. Granted, there are many different grades and qualities of bottled water, many of the imported ones are over $4.00/gallon. So we must also consider the marketing psychology of bottled water, where consumers decide what the buy based also on packaging, labels, colors, perceived benefit of drinking a certain brand and so many others.
“Even factoring in production costs (including gasoline to transport the product), Fisher added, ‘the actual cost of bottled water is half the retail cost – there’s at least a 100 percent markup.’ And what’s the relative value to consumers? A gallon of gasoline can move a 2,000-pound car 40 miles, Fisher said. A gallon of water might not keep a 150-pound human going for the same distance. ‘Think about the amount of work necessary to produce a gallon of gasoline – bringing up that black sludge, refining it, shipping it in crazy huge quantities — and the mount of economic value packed into a gallon,’ Fisher said. ‘It’s much higher than the work required or the economic value of a gallon of bottle water,’ he said.” – Oregon Live
With spring and summer around the corner gas prices should start to inch upwards as people begin traveling more and oil companies switch over to a different blend. The good news, experts say, is that gas is barely expected to touch $3.00/gallon at its high point this year. What does this mean for you? It means now it the time to explore, take that road trip you’ve been thinking about or move to the country now that you can afford that extra commute! For the full article please visit Oregon Live
Source: Oregon Live
Located in Oregon’s beautiful Washington County, Sherwood serves as a fantastic place to both live and work! Voted the 18th Best Places to Live in 2007, Sherwood was also recently ranked the 5th Best Small Town for Families in America in 2013 by CNN Money. With the city of Portland located approximately thirty minutes away, Sherwood has become the premiere city to live in for commuting employees. Additionally, with the city of Sherwood dedicating 300 acres for further employment and economic development, the city’s future as a thriving economy and flourishing community continues to have a sunny forecast.
With a current population just over 18,000 residents, Sherwood also provides a unique mixture of urban lifestyle while maintaining its small-town charm. As part of retaining its small-town charm, Sherwood’s historic Old Town serves as a hub for community events and festivals. The Old Town also features Cannery Square Plaza where the Sherwood Saturday Market is held every Saturday from May through September. The Saturday Market provides a venue for the community to support local artisans, chefs, and farmers. If you are looking for other visual, performing or literary art events in Sherwood, check out Sherwood Foundation for the Arts website. The grand opening celebration for the Sherwood Cultural Arts Community Center is slated for February 28th, 2015 and promises to be a popular venue for local artists, performers, and events.
For more information about Sherwood please click here or click on the About Sherwood tab at the top of the page!