If you’re LGBTQ+ and thinking about moving to Portland, you probably have two kinds of questions. Some are practical: Where should I live? How does buying work here? Others are personal: Will I feel at home?
I’ve asked myself both. My husband, Isaac, and I moved from Los Angeles to Portland in 2020. Here’s what I learned from our own move, and what I now share with clients who are making the same decision.
How we moved: rent first, then buy
Our move happened fast. Isaac received a job offer at the start of the pandemic, and we decided to go.
His job came with a relocation package, which helped a lot. We stayed in a short-term furnished rental for about three months. That gave us time to explore Portland in person, look at homes, and get a feel for different areas before making a big decision. We found our home, closed escrow, and moved in.
If you can, I recommend this approach. Choosing a home from far away is hard. Photos and maps don’t tell you how a street feels, how long a commute really takes, or whether a home gets enough light in winter. A few months on the ground can save you from an expensive mistake.
If you have a relocation package, ask your employer exactly what it covers before you start. Some packages help with temporary housing, moving costs, or parts of the buying or selling process. Knowing the details early helps you plan your timeline and budget.
If you don’t have a relocation package, a short-term rental, like an Airbnb, is still a great idea if your timeline allows. It gives you the same chance to explore Portland before you commit to a home.
What surprised me about Portland
No sales tax. This was a nice surprise. Oregon doesn’t have a general sales tax, so the price on the tag is what you pay at the register. Keep in mind that Oregon does have a state income tax, and property taxes vary from one area to another. It’s worth talking with a tax professional about how the move affects you.
Real seasons. Coming from Los Angeles, I wasn’t ready for four true seasons. Spring and summer here are beautiful. Fall is colorful. Winter is darker and wetter than many people expect.
What I wish I’d known: prepare for winter
If I could give my past self one piece of advice, it would be to get ready for winter before it arrives. A good rain jacket and shoes help, but your home matters too.
When you’re shopping for a home in the Portland area, it’s smart to pay attention to:
- Natural light. Big windows and bright rooms make a difference on gray days.
- Heating. Ask about the type and age of the heating system and what it costs to run.
- Water and drainage. Gutters, grading, and the roof matter in a rainy climate. A good home inspection should look closely at these.
- A covered entry or garage. Small details make daily life easier during the wet months.
I walk through these questions with my buyers, especially those coming from warmer, drier places.
Is Portland welcoming to LGBTQ+ people?
This is the question LGBTQ+ clients ask me most. I can only speak from my own experience, but for Isaac and me, Portland has felt accepting and welcoming. As a gay couple, we’ve felt at home here.
Something else I’ve noticed: in my experience, LGBTQ+ life in Portland isn’t limited to one neighborhood. People live, work, and gather all across the city and the surrounding area. That gives you room to choose a home based on what matters to you, like your commute, budget, schools, space, or the kind of house you love.
It’s also helpful to know that Oregon’s fair housing law specifically protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, along with other protected classes. Those protections apply when you buy or rent a home here.
As your broker, I won’t tell you where you should or shouldn’t live based on who lives there. What I will do is help you find a home that fits your life, your goals, and your budget, and answer your questions honestly along the way.
Common questions about moving to Portland
Should I rent before buying in Portland?
If your timeline and budget allow, renting for a short time, even through a short-term rental like an Airbnb, can help you learn the area before you commit. It’s what Isaac and I did, and it made our decision much easier.
Does Oregon have sales tax?
No. Oregon doesn’t have a general sales tax. It does have a state income tax, and property taxes vary by location.
Are LGBTQ+ people protected from housing discrimination in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon’s fair housing law includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. For a binding interpretation, consult a licensed real estate attorney in Oregon.
Can I work with a Spanish-speaking broker in Portland?
Yes. I work with clients in both English and Spanish.
Thinking about moving to Portland?
Whether you’re just starting to think about a move or you already have a job offer in hand, I’d be glad to help you plan it. We can talk about timing, areas, budget, and what you want your life here to look like. Reach me at Javier@JavierPDX.com or 503.343.5561. You can also learn more about me here.
Javier Puga-Phillips is a real estate broker with Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty in Portland, Oregon, and Vice Chair of Pride Connect, a Sotheby’s International Realty affinity group for LGBTQIA+ advisors and allies. He serves buyers and sellers in Portland, Beaverton, and Lake Oswego, in English and Spanish.
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