communities lie beyond the city limits of
Portland as well. While the city of Portland is a highly desirable place to live with
plenty of diversity in housing options,
there are homeowners who still prefer to
live further from urbanity, with the opportunity to own bigger homes and more
land, while still remaining close enough to
work within the city.
Vancouver, Washington is a popular option,
right across the Columbia River. Vancouver
is a small city with a population of approximately 160,000. The population density of
Vancouver (as of the 2010 census) was 3,482
residents per square mile.
Many tall condominium structures were
built in Vancouver in the early 2000’s, in
alignment with efforts to draw more people
to the city’s downtown area. At that same
time, the city saw a revitalization of the local
art scene. Vancouver’s proximity to Portland
has made it a popular place for commuters
who seek more affordable housing with a
similar but smaller city environment.
Beaverton is another popular suburban option
for Portland workers who wish to live elsewhere. Without traffic, Beaverton residents can
reach Portland in about 12 minutes. Located
in the Tualatin River Valley, Beaverton was
named among Money magazine’s top 100
places to live in the country. TriMet’s light rail
makes it easy for commuters to come in and
out of the city, without facing Portland’s infamously bad traffic.
UNIQUELY PORTLAND
Portland has always marched to the beat of its
own drum — hence the slogan, “Keep Portland Weird”. It’s known as the most European
city in the United States and even though it
ranks at the top of many “great cities to live in”
lists, it doesn’t look like any other.
Portlanders may tend to talk about the Portland of yesterday, before Portland culture
became popular culture, but the heart of the
city remains true to itself. You won’t find
sprawling developments of cookie cutter
homes, in or around the Portland area. Our
neighborhoods each maintain a distinct flavor,
our houses are colorful, and our streets are
friendly and accessible.
People live in tiny houses, bungalows,
converted lofts, and apartment buildings.
They live in the Southeast side where quirky
shops and street performers keep things
colorful, and they live in the Pearl District
where sidewalk cafes and art galleries maintain a high-class vibe, while others live on
the fringe, where there is a little more room,
closer to the beach or mountains
No matter what you’re looking for in a house
and a neighborhood to call your own, you’ll
find something that is uniquely Portland, and
something that is uniquely you. The city might
be a little weird, but it’s also welcoming of all
types of people. It can’t wait to welcome you.
REMODELING HOME?
Sooner or later you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes
each year. Perhaps it’s at that moment when you realize that avocado green
and harvest gold are no longer the “in” colors for today’s trendy kitchens. Or
maybe you have an epiphany one day as you stand in line to use your own
bathroom. Whatever the impetus, the thought crosses your mind: Maybe it’s
time to start a home remodel. The reasons for home remodeling are as varied
as the projects we undertake.
Some of these include:
• Adding more space
• Upgrading cabinets, counters, appliances and fixtures
• Creating a floor plan that’s customized for your lifestyle
• Increasing the resale value of your home
• Improving energy efficiency with new windows, doors,
insulation, and climate control systems
WHERE TO BEGIN
The first step is to develop an idea of what you want to do with your home
remodel. Write a prioritized list of your needs and wants. Look at magazines
and websites and collect pictures of homes or remodeling projects you like.
The more clearly you can envision the project and describe it on paper, the
better prepared you’ll be in making your decision.
Think about traffic patterns, furniture size and placement, colors, lighting and
how you expect to use the remodeled space. If your decision to remodel
involves creating better access for someone with limited mobility, you may
want to consider contacting a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.
You may want to improve home efficiency and hire a remodeler for green home
remodeling. These projects include replacing windows and doors, upgrading
heating and cooling systems, adding insulation, and other remodeling to make
the home more energy-efficient, easier to maintain, and comfortable.
Figure out how much money you have to spend on the home remodeling job,
furnishings, landscaping or any other cost you might incur.
CHOOSE YOUR OPTIONS
Once you have created a list of what you would like out of your home, the
next step is to hire a member of the Professional Remodelers of Oregon (PRO).
PRO remodelers are of the highest integrity and standards in the industry. For
a directory of licensed PRO members of the Home Builders Association of
Metropolitan Portland, visit www.hbapdx.org.
You Should Definitely Start Here.
Your
