Low prices and a less frenetic working environment are drawing tech employees to Portland, Oregon. Gentrification may loom, but along with it may come expanded economic opportunities for the city and state.
Portland may be joining the rest of the West Coast as a center for employment in software and tech. Residential and business costs are far lower, especially when compared to the Bay Area. "'We'd have people come up from the San Francisco office to work in Portland, and they'd just want to stay,' [businessman Gino Zahnd] says. That's fine by him: In Portland, he pays less than one-third of his San Francisco office expenses."
Since 2010, Peter Robison writes, "The technology workforce in the city's surrounding Multnomah County has grown 82 percent, to more than 13,000, compared with a 29 percent gain nationwide in the same period, according to market researcher EMSI."
Portland's status as a newcomer to the tech scene still poses some obstacles for businesses. "Among the factors limiting industry growth, Portland doesn't have the top engineering universities and investor networks of San Francisco or even Seattle." Needless to say, some residents are also concerned that a massive inflow of tech could lead Portland down Seattle's path.
FULL STORY: The Software Industry’s Cabin in the Woods
Silicon Valley Isn't Really Over
Though a handful of recent articles predicted "peak Silicon Valley," new numbers show the region is still producing lots of good jobs and attracting plenty of venture capital.
Seattle and Silicon Valley: Joined at the Hip?
Tech thrives on connection, and America's west coast tech hubs are more connected than ever before. But Seattleites aren't in a rush to abandon their city's distinctiveness.
Is Portland the Next San Francisco?
Now that tech companies have "discovered" Portland, Oregon, longtime residents question whether the progressive city has done enough to protect them from displacement. Sound familiar?
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie