WHY SHOULD ANYONE MOVE TO HILLSBORO OREGON?
If you or someone you know is considering moving to Hillsboro anytime soon, make sure to read this article first! You will want to know what to expect right? Is Hillsboro really the place for you? Below is a detailed list highlighting twelve of the things that make Hillsboro a great place to live. Be sure to check out the affordability of buying a home in Hillsboro. You will see Hillsboro is one of the most affordable cities in Oregon for purchasing a home!
Published on June 12th, 2019
SEMI-INTERESTING BUT IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT HILLSBORO OREGON
Population: 106, 894 (2017)
City Population Rank: 5th Largest City in Oregon
Unemployment Rate: 3.3% (Feb 2019)
Median Home Price (Hillsboro): $399,300 (2018)
Median Household Income (Hillsboro): $75,599 (2017)
Median Household Income (Portland MSA): $66,657 (2017)
Average Commute Time: 23 Minutes
Source: hillsboro-oregon.gov and bls.gov
1. JOBS IN HILLSBORO ARE IN ABUNDANCE
If you are looking to move to Oregon to land a new job or career, Hillsboro is an excellent place to be looking for opportunities. Nicknamed “The Silicon Forest”, Hillsboro is home to tech giant Intel which plays a huge factor in the local economy and creates an abundance of opportunities in not only the tech sector but virtually every sector required to support its 20,000 local employees.
And if a career or job in the athletic apparel and shoe industry appeals to you, the beautiful Nike headquarters is just a short commute away in the neighboring city of Beaverton.
Hillsboro boasts a current unemployment rate of 3.3%, below the national average of 3.9%. Currently, Glassdoor shows 3,820 job openings in the city of Hillsboro alone! A quick drive around the city where you will see new homes and businesses being constructed gives evidence to a thriving local economy – and with a thriving economy comes excellent jobs to support it.
If you are a current entrepreneur or seeking to be a solopreneur, you will be happy to know Hillsboro is a city that has your back. Just recently, the City of Hillsboro launched HillHub, a dedicated space for startups and business professionals to learn, collaborate and grow.
The space not only offers standard business services like Wi-Fi, printing and mail services but also will feature networking events and mentorships all bundled inti a very affordable price. What better way to get recognized than to connect with local leaders and take advantage of local resources that will put your startup or current small business on the map!
2. HILLSBORO IS VERY AFFORDABLE
With an influx of people to Portland Metropolitan Area, the housing market in the region has remained very competitive. While the growing demand for housing has given rise to prices all around the PDX area, certain areas have remained quite affordable with Hillsboro at the top!
According to a Willamette Week study, Hillsboro recently ranked #1 for most affordable housing in Oregon. The study bases affordability off of a comparison of local incomes verses local home prices.
While affordability can be defined differently depending upon the source, another recent article by Movoto also ranked Hillsboro at the top helping solidify its affordability. Hillsboro offers greater income opportunities than many of its neighboring cities without the higher costs of housing. If you’re looking to move to an affordable city, Hillsboro might just be your spot!
3. DESPITE MODERATE TRAFFIC, IT IS EASY TO GET AROUND
While the Portland Metropolitan area continues to see commute times rise, Hillsboro enjoys the advantages of sitting on the outskirts. The commute times from Hillsboro to other surrounding cities have remained pretty moderate.
If you plan on working on the West side of Portland and commuting by vehicle, you can expect pretty decent commute times with an average of 23 minutes. Other surrounding cities are easily accessed via Highway 26, a major route running east-west in northern Hillsboro.
Fortunately, the City of Hillsboro also has a well-developed public transportation system that makes getting around easy! Hillsboro has built an excellent infrastructure for public transportation featuring numerous bus routes and several train stations know as MAX where you can board and get to your destination in no time.
Wanting to commute to your destination by bike but the distance is just too far? No problem, most of the buses and trains are bike friendly allowing you to ride to ride to the bus or train stop and board with your bike. It is an awesome way to commute in Hillsboro that allows you to get some exercise and completely avoid sitting in any traffic!
4. THE ENTERTAINMENT IN HILLSBORO IS AWESOME
Sure Hillsboro has all the usual entertainment suspects – movies, bowling, etc but there are a few exceptional spots that make Hillsboro entertainment pop! One of my favorite places in Hillsboro – and on the whole Westside of Portland is TopGolf. If you have never been, this alone is reason enough to at least come and check Hillsboro out.
TopGolf as the name suggests allows players to hit golf balls at large lit up targets and tracks points based on accuracy, distance and the game you have selected. Similar to a lane in bowling, players are assigned an outdoor bay in which they can order food and drinks or catch the latest sports on dual screens in each bay.
You may be thinking isn’t it cold in Hillsboro quite a few months out of the year? Yes it is but TopGolf has you covered with dedicated heaters in each bay keeping you nice and toasty. TopGolf is legitimately a place that is fun for all ages.
Another favorite which just opened its doors in November of 2018 is K1 Speed, an indoor go-kart facility located in close proximity to TopGolf. With karts that can travel up to 45 MPH, this is a great place to go if you are looking to on a thrilling date night or want to take the older kids out for some weekend fun!
Paddock Lounge located inside the K1 Speed facility offers visitors tasty foods ranging from pizza and tacos to mouth-watering wings and milkshakes, although I do suggest waiting until after the race to eat! K1 Speed is another reason you need to check out Hillsboro.
FIND YOUR NEW NEIGHBORHOOD IN HILLSBORO
5. HILLSBORO WILL HAVE YOU LOOKING TO THE SKIES
Home of the Oregon International Airshow, Hillsboro draws nearly 75,000 people in each year to see one of the most incredible aviation events in the northwest. With previous performers like the Blue Angels and this years Red Arrows, this event will leave you astounded and amazed.
Hosted at the Hillsboro airport, the event typically runs for three days towards the end of September where families can come out for some high flying fun!
The airshow features high flying performers and is packed with stunts and exciting acrobatics. If you talk to die-hard fans of the airshow they will tell you to pack a cooler and arrive early as the event gets busy quick! It is no wonder as it is one of Oregon’s highest rated events to attend.
Even if you do not attend the event in person, the action can be seen from numerous vantage points around the city. Another perk that comes with living in Hillsboro.
6. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
Nothing will have you smiling more than sitting in the stands at Ron Tonkin Field on one of Hillsboro’s beautiful spring days. Home of the Hillsboro Hops a Class A Northwest League, Ron Tonkin Stadium has the capacity to host 4,500 spectators. Located in north Hillsboro, Ron Tonkin Field is easily accessible from Highway 26.
While you are visiting the stadium, be sure to grab some peanuts and popcorn or head over to the Bridgeport Brew Pen and grab an ice cold drink. Heading to a Hops game is a great affordable way to catch some sun and spend a fun day with the family.
Baseball may be the main attraction at Ron Tonkin Field but the surrounding area offers so much more to the local community. The Ballpark is part of Gordon Acre Recreation Complex which has an additional six natural grass softball fields often used by the community for sporting events like softball, soccer and lacrosse.
The complex features a perimeter walking path great for getting in a nice walk, run or bike ride. And let’s not forget about man’s best friend – the complex also boasts a huge enclosed dog park for small and large dogs alike!
7. WITH RAIN COMES SNOW
When living in Oregon, winters can get COLD! Granted we are no Minnesota, but for Oregonians it’s basically like sitting in a freezer. Speaking of freezers, they are freezing! And with Freezing temperatures and an over-abundance of moisture, creates only one outcome-SNOW!
If you are looking to live in a climate where you get to experience snow, but not be bothered with it for more than a couple weeks then you are in the right place. Oregon experiences snow anywhere between December and March, however Oregon can be so bi-polar that weathermen often times can NEVER predict the correct snow.
Average snowfall in Hillsboro is around 3 inches, however if you live here you’ll find most years get more. But that average 3 inches doesn’t disappoint! Because the Portland Metro isn’t used to regular snow for more than a week or 2, the cities shut down creating a fun snowcation for the whole family! If you are looking for more snow and just aren’t satisfied, you are a short distance from ski and snow resorts and mountains to go snowshoeing!
You’ll feel lucky to live in a place with so many options to take a winter day trip between the months of November and March. Mt Hood is the obvious choice, but the summits in SW Washington, the Central Oregon Santiam pass, and even the coastal range of the Tillamook Forest all provide a great place to find some snow to enjoy for the day!
Mt Hood is going to be your best go to for all things snow, from skiing/snowboarding, inner tubing, snowshoeing, and more! When you talk about skiing/snowboarding, 3 major spots come to mind. Skibowl is situated right at the base of government camp and is a great spot for skiing/snowboarding as well as inner tubing!
Next in order is Timberline. Timberline Lodge Ski and Snowboard Area offers one of the most exciting and unique high-alpine mountain experiences in North America. With 3,690 vertical feet of terrain it’s perfect for beginners, intermediates and experts alike.
And lastly, Mt. Hood Meadows. Some will argue Meadows is the most popular ski resort on Mt hood, while others will argue Timberline. Either way, Meadows offers diverse terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Just as well it is home to Oregon’s Largest Ski School!
8. IT'S ALWAYS WINE O'CLOCK IN HILLSBORO
With 30+ wineries around Hillsboro alone, it’s no wonder why people want to move here! You CAN have your cake and eat it too in this city. Whether it be a simple tasting room for you and your group of friends or a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere for the whole family, there are wineries to satisfy it all.
But how can such a big city provide such quality vineyards to satisfy so many different wineries? Hillsboro is located within Tualatin Valley, putting it in the Northwestern corner of the full Willamette Valley which is known for its abundance of wineries and vineyards. There is much more countryside to Hillsboro than one might think when you’re looking at the inner city areas.
The Willamette Valley has the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in Oregon! The Willamette Valley is, for the most part, mild throughout the year with cool wet winters and warm dry summers. Moisture is abundant, however most of the rainfall occurs in the winter and not during the growing season. The temperature combined with coastal marine influences makes gentle growing conditions within the Valley, and that is ideal for cool climate grapes including Pinot Noir.
The Valley also has more daylight hours during the growing season than any other state! With this longer growing season, the Willamette Valley gets those warmer days alongside of cooler nights. With that large temperature swing it allows the wine grapes to develop their flavor and complexity while retaining their natural acidity. It’s no wonder Hillsboro has so many GREAT wineries with amazing wines!
8 AMAZING WINERIES YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT IN HILLSBORO
9. LET'S GO TO THE BEACH, LET'S GO GET AWAY
Oregon boasts an extremely unique coastline that residents can just never get enough of! Living in Hillsboro puts you THAT much closer to your beach get away. During the rainy months you can expect the beach towns to experience some great storms, if you’re into that kind of thing. Once you’ve lived here long enough though, there isn’t anything more beautiful than an oceanfront room watching the rain fall and the waves rip around.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, during the summer months the beach couldn’t be more beautiful on a clear and sunny day! There are plenty of beach towns to visit along the Oregon Coast, but a couple of the closest ones to Hillsboro would have to be the ever famous town of Seaside, Tillamook (known for the Tillamook Cheese Factory) as well as Lincoln City and Cannon Beach.
All of these amazing towns have something different to offer depending on what you are looking for, and NONE of them will disappoint! Check out my blog post on 8 Oregon Coast Beaches And Why To Visit Them to get a good idea of where you might want your regular weekend getaway to be!
10. YOU CARE FOR THE TREES AND SO DO THEY
Do you care about your environment and where you live? Well you’ll love to know that so does Hillsboro! The city of Hillsboro is being recognized for its work to protect the environment. The Arbor Day Foundation formally named Hillsboro a Tree City USA! The city received the award for the work it has done in panting and maintaining/preserving trees within its city limits. By maintaining the trees it encourages cleaner air, improved storm drain management, energy savings and as well increased property values.
The Hillsboro City Council regarded this award as a priority back in 2018. The designation requires cities across the country to meet certain standards when it comes to caring for the trees. To meet one of these requirements, the city set up a board/department tasked with caring for city trees. They had to spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, which comes out to about $200,000 in Hillsboro’s case.
How great is it knowing that your city is doing its part to keep the environment thriving and healthy!
11. TO MARKET TO MARKET TO BUY A FAT PIG
No matter where you are at in Hillsboro, you’ll be able to find yourself a wonderful farmers market! Starting late April and ending in late October, you can make your way from Downtown Hillsboro, Orenco Station, Kaiser Hospital, as well as Tuality Hospital for all of your farmers market options around Hillsboro.
While Kaiser and Tuality Hospitals offer smaller markets, you can rest assured that with Downtown Hillsboro and Orenco Station you’ll get all you need! Downtown Hillsboro began their farmers market back in 1982 and they’ve thought of it all! Local vendors, musicians, and so much fresh produce it really brings the city’s rich agricultural history in and connects the community with local farmers and artisans that provide the best products.
Orenco Station started its market in 2003, but it’s not going to disappoint! With its fresh products and produce as well as live musicians it’s great for the community of Orenco and travelers alike. And the great thing about these 4 different farmers markets is that they ALL fall on different days! Hit Downtown Hillsboro on Saturdays, Orenco Station on Sundays, Kaiser Wednesday evenings and then Tuality on Thursdays!
More information for Hillsboro’s wonderful farmers’ markets can be found at the Hillsboro Farmers Market website.
12. PLENTY OF PARKS TO CHOOSE FROM
There are 30+ parks around Hillsboro. 30! Do you know what is great having an abundance of parks? CHOICES! There is a park for everything. Great parks for dogs, great parks for kids, great parks for walking/hiking, covered areas, uncovered areas, BBQs, and the list goes on! Each year, thousands of residents enjoy all of these parks around Hillsboro.
Within the parks and recreation department there are hundreds of programs offered year-round. Recreation, educational, youth development and cultural classes, adult sports leagues and school programs are offered for all ages! When you live in Hillsboro it is so easy to become a part of your community and city, and it benefits you as well as everyone else as well.
No matter where you are at in Hillsboro, there will be a park that fits just what you are looking for.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON HILLSBORO
As you can now see, Hillsboro Oregon is a great place to live, work and play! It is a city that provides new experiences and lots of opportunities. If you think Hillsboro Oregon might be the city for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any of your questions.
As an Oregon native I know Hillsboro and it’s surrounding areas well, and I can provide you with the answers or at least point you in the right direction. Contact me HERE or call/text me at 503-459-7865.
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