Former Oregon Gov. Tom McCall once encouraged people to visit Oregon, but added, “For heaven’s sake, don’t move here to live.”
That advice is now being ignored. It turns out Oregon was the number one destination among people who moved from one state to another in 2013.
According to CNN Money, 61 percent of all interstate moves made in Oregon were for people coming to live in the state. The information came via an annual migration study by United Van Lines.
The story reported that Oregon replaced Washington, D.C., which had held the top spot for the previous five years as workers sought out government jobs. The nation’s capital fell to fourth place last year, tying with South Dakota.
“We’re seeing continued migration to the Pacific Northwest as young professionals and retirees are drawn to amenities, including public transit, green space and the local arts and entertainment scene,” said UCLA economist Michael Stoll.
Cheaper costs of living are playing in Oregon’s popularity. Oregon has many of the same virtues as California — mild winters, an active lifestyle — but home prices are much lower, he said. The median price for a single-family home in Portland, for example, is $285,000 according to Zillow. In San Francisco, it’s $881,000 and in Los Angeles, $481,000.
Ready the full story here.
