Relatively low housing costs combined with being in a desirable region put Oregon atop the United Van Lines’ 38th annual study.
BY JACOB PALMER | OB DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR
Relatively low housing costs combined with being in a desirable region put Oregon atop the United Van Lines’ 38th annual study.
“With economic stability growing nationally, the current migration patterns reflect longer-term trends of movement to the southern and western states, especially to those where housing costs are relatively lower, climates are more temperate and job growth has been at or above the national average, among other factors,” says Michael Stoll, economist, professor and chairman of UCLA’s Department of Public Policy. “Unique amenities such as outdoor recreation, arts and entertainment activities, and green space protection likely continue to propel Oregon to the top of the list for the second straight year.”
During the past year, United Van Lines of St. Louis tracked customers’ migration patterns state-to-state. The study found that Oregon is the top moving destination of 2014, with 66 percent of moves to and from the state being inbound — nearly 5 percent increase of inbound moves compared to 2013.
Read more at the Portland Tribune.
The Statesman Journal reports that being a hot destination for movers is nothing new for the Beaver State.
United Van Lines surveyed a sample of those who used their services to ask for the reason behind the move; 55 percent of respondents said they were moving to Oregon for a company transfer or to take a new job. Another 29 percent said they were coming to the Beaver State to retire.
“There’s a sort of younger, highly-educated, higher-income person coming to Oregon over the last year and a half,” said Michael Stoll, an economist and professor of public policy at the University of California Los Angeles. “Oregon’s employment growth has accelerated from some lackluster employment numbers, and there’s been an acceleration of employment opportunities in Oregon.”
Read more at the Statesman Journal.
Coincidentally, Portland’s West Quadrant Plan is now set to go in front of the city council. The plan calls for a redefining of downtown and could affect development and housing across the Rose City.
The city could seek more zoning tools that increase flexibility when possible. That would mean “more mixing of office, retail and residential within buildings and specific districts than previously possible.” The strategy could, in particular, boost activity — “increased investment and vibrancy” — in Goose Hollow and the West End.
Streets and rights-of-way comprise 40 percent of the Central City’s land area. Portland officials could seek more opportunities to create “quieter and greener” shopping streets that encourage traffic from pedestrians, bicyclists and transit vehicles.
Read more at the Portland Business Journal.
