Oregon is a Pacific Northwest state filled with many gems to live in, from eco-conscious cities to hip spots to raise a family.

Check out the top cities in the state -the best cities in Oregon.

Portland

Check out Portland houses for sale if you want to settle in a place of plentiful green spaces, laid back attitudes, and a fantastic quality of living.

Though Portland’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, the median income is on the higher side, making those who live there able to live comfortably.

Portland has many and varied job opportunities, like Intel, Nike, Adidas, and Oregon Health and Science University.

The city is a patchwork of many charming neighbourhoods and is incredibly walkable.

In Portland you can visit Powell’s, the world’s largest independent bookstore, then stop at a pod of food trucks to grab a bite to eat. There’s a plethora of locally owned restaurants to dine at, and an incredible array of breweries.

The city also loves its coffee.

For nature lovers it’s a short drive to the Oregon Coast, Crater National Park, or Columbia Gorge, also known as the wind surfing capital of the world.

Within the city limits you can hike Hoyt Arboretum’s 30-Minute Loop Trail, the Marquam Trail Nature Park Loop, or the Forest Park Ridge Trail.

 

Eugene

This is the place to be if you’re of an intellectually driven mind and like to live healthy and get outdoors.

The University of Oregon has a home here, making Eugene a place with a good mix of cultural activities.

People love to get outdoors and stay active. Eugene has been called TrackTown USA thanks to its collegiate track and field history as well as the fact that it’s the birthplace of Nike.

Here you can visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, the Eugene Science Center, the Mount Pisgah Arboretum, and the Museum of Natural and Cultural History.

Bend

If you’re looking to start or continue raising your family, Bend is often pointed to as the perfect place for this. Bend is one of the safest cities in the state, and you’ll often find children riding their bikes to and fro without a care in the world.

The education here is top notch with highly rated public, private, independent, charter, and magnet schools. Higher education options include Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University Cascades Campus.

Bend is also one of the fastest growing cities in the Pacific Northwest, known for its great outdoor recreation and easy way of living.

Here you can ride horses, run trails, ski slopes, and fly fish. The weather is near perfect year-round, making it easy to get outside any day you feel pulled to.

Bend is also popular among beer enthusiasts. It has 16 breweries per 50,000 people, the third most breweries per capita in the nation.

 

Salem

The state’s capital is a university town in the Willamette Valley, halfway between Portland and Eugene.

Minto-Brown Island Park has over 30 miles of trails that take adventurers through wetlands, woodlands, and open prairie.

Salem is more affordable than many of the state’s big cities. The job market is flourishing, with opportunities in the manufacturing, agriculture, and distribution areas.

Salem has attractions like the Schreiner’s Iris Gardens, Riverfront Carousel, Honeywood Winery, and Enchanted Forest Theme Park.