How To Successfully Relocate From San Diego, CA To Portland, OR
How To Successfully Relocate From San Diego, CA To Portland, OR
Sep 08, 2022
San Diego’s perfect weather, many attractions, and legendary art and culture make the second-largest city in California an appealing place to live. However, if the time has come for you to leave this bustling city for the enchanting environs of Portland, OR, then you may want to take a few things under consideration before your move. Here are some of the most important things you need to know to successfully relocate from San Diego to Portland, OR.
Set up a job in one of Portland’s thriving industries
Before moving from San Diego, CA to Portland, OR, you should make sure you have a job that can support your new life in your new city. Portland offers many job opportunities, even in the current economic downturn. In 2021, the area enjoyed job growth that was among the top 10 in the nation.
These jobs are available across a number of diverse industries that fit Portland’s commitment to energy conservation, its position as a transportation hub, and its outdoor culture. Some of the city’s major job fields include the following:
Footwear – The city is home to the headquarters of Nike and Adidas North America.
Manufacturing – 11 percent of Portland’s workforce is employed in the manufacturing field.
Education – More than 50 percent of Portland’s public sector jobs are in the field of education.
Healthcare – 3 of the area’s top 10 employers are in the healthcare industry.
Pack clothing appropriate for all four seasons
San Diego weather is well-known for its consistent warmth and reliable sunshine. With average highs in the 60s and 70s year round, the city boasts some incredible, but monotonous, weather.
Portland, OR, has more variation in its weather, and is defined primarily by the existence of true seasons. From cool winters that bring the possibility of snow to hot summers with average temperatures in the 80s, a successful move will require planning ahead for the change in weather.
Prepare for your relocation by making sure you have appropriate seasonal clothing, whatever time of year you move. You may need to invest in winter jackets for cold weather, for example. While you can purchase the clothing you need once you arrive, having enough of the appropriate clothes when you move will help you feel more comfortable right away in your new home.
Bring your environmental consciousness with you
San Diego is known as one of the “greenest” or most eco-friendly cities in the nation. If you love that aspect of America’s Finest City, then you will enjoy life in Portland, which also has a reputation as eco-conscious location. Here are some of the steps Portland takes to reduce its environmental impact:
Plastic bags are not allowed in grocery stores.
The city implemented a green tax on large businesses that is used to fund green initiatives in underserved communities.
Recycling and composting are rigorous and widespread.
25 percent of the workforce chooses not to use cars for their commutes.
If you are moving from San Diego to Portland, you can plan to enjoy a similar passion for eco-friendly practices, and a culture that prioritizes thoughtful environmental choices.
Consider leaving your car in San Diego
If you currently own a car in San Diego, you may want to think twice before taking it with you on your move to Portland. There is a reason so many people choose to forgo vehicles when commuting to work: The city is set up with an easily accessible public transportation system, as well as extensive biking routes that make it simple to navigate the city on two wheels.
If you want to embrace a more cooperative approach to transportation, you can also take advantage of the city’s robust ride share and bike share systems. You can even walk easily through many areas of Portland. Choose housing that is close to your work and other essential locations (e.g. School, grocery store, entertainment), if you prefer to get to most of your daily stops by foot.
Familiarize yourself with Portland’s many things to do
Portland, OR, is known for its numerous activities. When moving from San Diego to Portland, you can expect to find fascinating and fun things to do no matter where your interests lie. Do a little research beforehand to identify the Portland-area attractions that best fit with your hobbies. Here are some of the types of activities you can find in the Portland area.
Outdoor fun – Hiking, beaches, waterfalls, 154 developed parks, mountains, national parks, and the Alvord Desert are all outdoor recreational opportunities available in or near the city.
Arts and culture – The city is home to many opportunities to enjoy arts and culture, including monthly art walks, an art museum, art festivals, numerous galleries, and regular creative events.
Incredible food – Portland’s food scene is well known. Expect to find delicious food carts, many restaurants offering locally sourced food, great doughnuts, fresh seafood, and other delicious dishes in every corner of the city.
Lower your housing budget
While Portland, OR, has a pricey housing market (12th least affordable in the nation), it pales in comparison to the costs of San Diego housing. With a median home price in the $600s, Portland’s homes are on average $300,000 less expensive than in San Diego.
Rent prices are similarly less expensive in Portland. The city’s average rent is $1,746, while San Diego’s average rent is $2,916. That means that if you are accustomed to San Diego’s cost of living, you may just find Portland to be refreshingly more affordable.
Find a reliable mover
Finally, a successful move between San Diego and Portland, OR, requires the right mover. That means being aware of potential moving scams that can cost you thousands of dollars and lead to lost or broken possessions.
The worst moving scams typically involve dishonest moving brokers who provide you with an estimate that is significantly lower than any other estimate you receive from actual movers. While these brokers do not have the trucks or employees to complete your move, they sell your move to a moving company that does have the resources to complete your move.
Often, however, this arrangement means that the moving company that shows up on the day of your move demands additional money to complete your move. They may also take weeks to deliver your belongings, place them in storage in an unknown location, and treat your possessions carelessly. Some individuals even experience the theft of their belongings or are forced to pay even more money to have their possessions delivered weeks after the initial delivery day.
In order to avoid these troubling scams, make sure you take the following precautions:
Get at least 3 in-house moving quotes.
Make sure your chosen mover has a physical address.
Get a moving estimate based on weight, not cubic feet.
Check the mover’s complaint history and grade with BBB.
Make sure the truck on moving day is branded.
Buy moving insurance.
Choose a mover who has a proven track record of success.
Ask for word-of-mouth recommendations from people who have enjoyed a successful move.
Read every detail of your contract before signing.
Refuse any mover who requires a down payment on your move.
Avoid using a moving broker.
As a certified women-owned business, Oakley Relocation is a full-service moving and storage company with the experience and expertise to deliver what we promise. We have been providing seamless, stress-free relocation services since 2008. Contact us today for a pre-move quote from a premier moving company based in Southern California.
North American Van Lines, Inc. U.S. DOT No. 070851 Texas intrastate moves are hauled under the authority of North American Van Lines of Texas, LLC, TxDMV No 9188; Texas DMV Phone No. 1-888-368-4689