From snowcapped mountains to the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River, Oregon is a geographically diverse state. Known for amazing hiking, world-class skiing, exciting whitewater rafting, and intense rock climbing, the state is a haven for outdoorsmen and thrill-seekers alike. Home to the popular cities of Portland, Salem, and Eugene, just to name a few, Oregon is a truly unique place to visit and to live.
Nestled between the Columbia River and the Willamette rivers, Portland offers a unique mountain setting like no other. On a clear day Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Adams are all visible and the city offers some of the best views and hiking on the west coast. To the north of Portland is the state of Washington, to the south is an overwhelming amount of national forests, and to the west is the world-famous Oregon Wine Country.
Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or not, the city offers an unlimited amount of things to do. Located only 2 miles from downtown Portland, you will find Washington Park, which features its famous Portland Japanese Gardens, and the International Rose Test Garden, which is home to more than 10,000 roses. For a simple and family-friendly outdoor adventure, Portland’s Forest Park provides over 5,000 acres of land for hikes that are customizable in length and difficulty. For experienced hikers, Mt. Hood, which has an elevation of 11,249’ offers numerous hiking, skiing, and mountain biking trails. Wine lovers will take solace knowing that Oregon’s famous Willamette Valley offers over 700 wineries and is home to many award-winning wines, mainly their beloved Pinot Noir. Willamette Valley is home to more than 3 million people, containing 6 of the largest cities in the state, and offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the state.
While Portland still remains the most visited place in Oregon, other small charming towns throughout the state have become popular with visitors over the past years. Named the Windsurfing Capital of the World, Hood River, is popular amount visitors who want to hike, windsurf, bike, or ski since the town offers easy access to Mount Hood and the Columbia River. With the Deschutes River running through the middle of it, Bend offers visitors amazing whitewater rafting, an assortment of hiking trails, and exhilarating mountain biking trails on Mount Bachelor and Smith Rock. History buffs will enjoy visiting Baker City, a quaint town nestled along the Historic Oregon Trail, which features the Baker Heritage Museum and the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Along with an expensive number of hiking and biking trails the town also offers unique fishing opportunities.
Given its amazing location, it is no surprise that many homes in Oregon feature absolutely stunning mountain views. Surrounded almost entirely by three different mountain ranges it’s not hard to find a home that contains picturesque views of the peaks. While the Oregon housing market is still a seller’s market, much like the rest of the nation, the median sales price in Portland has only slightly increased over the past year. However, towns such as Eugene and Bend have seen larger increases in the median sales price and Bend is considered to have a more competitive market than Eugene or Portland.
With amazing skiing and snowboarding trails in the winter, and an unlimited number of mountain biking and hiking trails in the summer, Oregon is an outdoor lover’s dream. Not only does the state showcase expansive mountain views in every direction, but it also offers lively cities, award-winning wineries, charming towns, and rich history. Waking up to expansive mountain views every morning coupled with unbelievable sunsets every night keeps visitors coming back and residents vowing to never leave.
