Portland, Oregon. (coyne) — A recently released ranking of the best places to live in the western U.S. lists several locations in the Pacific Northwest, with one Portland-area city earning high marks for its charming downtown and access to nature.
livabilitya company that creates marketing plans for cities across the U.S., released a ranking in late January of the 25 best places to live in the West.
“Known for its rich heritage of pioneers and adventurers, the West is filled with stunning scenery, unparalleled beauty, and iconic bucket list destinations. It’s also home to some of the country’s most innovative people, as well as a host of cities that regularly top lists of best places to live. Understandably, this combination makes the West irresistibly attractive to those interested in everything from rural outdoor adventures to modern conveniences,” writes Livability.
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One Pacific Northwest city scores high on the list: Beaverton, Oregon.
Beaverton ranked second on the livability rankings due to its natural areas, proximity to Portland, and its historic downtown.
“The city’s commitment to protecting the environment and its sustainability efforts set Beaverton apart. Surrounded by natural areas and farmland, residents can enjoy more than 90 parks, 1,500 acres of natural areas and more than 60 miles of paved trails,” Livability writes.
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“Beaverton is located seven miles west of downtown Portland and has excellent regional transportation options, allowing Beaverton’s citizens to travel to the big city while enjoying a lower cost of living than larger city residents,” Livability continues.
“The neighborhood has a good balance of large and small businesses—Nike and Tektronix are both headquartered here—and a range of housing options, making it an attractive place to live. Additionally, Beaverton is part of Silicon Forest; the city attracts people from all over the world thanks to a growing number of high-tech companies (300 and counting). Beaverton also scores well for schools and health care, and residents are actively involved in the community, attending a host of fun festivals year-round,” Livability adds.
The company concluded: “The city’s historic downtown area is home to charming local shops and nearly 60 restaurants. Because of Beaverton’s ethnic diversity, these global influences are reflected on many of the city’s menus. The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts is a beautiful new arts center offering visual and performing arts.”
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Other Pacific Northwest regions on the list include Vancouver, Wash. (9), Tacoma, Wash. (12), Gresham, Ore. (15), Kennewick, Wash. (18), Eugene, Ore. (19), Spokane, Wash. (21) and Salem, Ore. (22).
No. 1 on Best in the West: Broomfield, Colorado.
The list released by Livability is based on its research into the top 100 best places to live in the United States, surveying more than 2,000 cities across the country.
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