Living in Hillsboro Oregon - EVERYTHING You Need to Know
What is Living in Hillsboro, Oregon Like?
Hillsboro, Oregon, located in Washington County, is home to approximately 110,000 people. The city offers a perfect blend of urban amenities and a small-town feel, making it a desirable place to live and visit. Situated west of Portland, Hillsboro provides easy access to a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and exploring the nearby Tualatin Valley. The city is conveniently located near Highway 26, which connects to other towns and attractions. Hillsboro showcases the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with its lush landscapes, breathtaking views of the Coast Range, and proximity to the Tualatin River. Residents and visitors of Hillsboro can enjoy recreational activities such as kayaking, golfing, and visiting local wineries. The Best of Hillsboro includes a vibrant downtown area, modern shopping centers, and some of the best residential neighborhoods in the Portland Metro Area.
One of the main attractions in Hillsboro, Oregon, is Orenco Station, a vibrant and walkable neighborhood that offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. It is a popular spot for locals and visitors to gather and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Another attraction in the area is the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, which houses a vast collection of rare and beautiful specimens from around the world. The museum offers educational programs and exhibits that showcase the fascinating world of geology. Hillsboro also has several parks, including Rood Bridge Park and Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, which provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking. These attractions make Hillsboro an excellent destination for nature lovers and those seeking a vibrant urban experience.
There are many large employers in and around Hillsboro, Oregon. Known as the Silicon Forest, many tech companies operate and employ Hillsboro, Oregon, residents, including Intel, Lattice Semiconductor, Accumed, and RadiSys. Another major employer of Hillsboro, Oregon, residents is Nike, the state's largest company, which has its headquarters in nearby Beaverton.
The cost of living in Hillsboro, Oregon, is higher than the national average but lower than many cities in the surrounding area. With the abundance of higher paying jobs in the area, living in Hillsboro, Oregon, is more affordable than many cities in the area. Today, the average home value in Hillsboro is around $540,000, and the average cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Hillsboro is around $1,700 a month. There are a variety of housing options available for Hillsboro residents to choose from that can accommodate a variety of budgets, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and apartments.
If you're looking for a medium size city with easy access to bigger cities, a charming downtown, excellent schools, plenty of outdoor activities, and an abundance of jobs, Hillsboro, Oregon, would be the perfect place for you! Keep reading to learn more about living in Hillsboro, Oregon, including details about its neighborhoods, schools, cost of living, and some pros and cons of living in this lovely city. This information should help you determine whether living in Hillsboro, Oregon, is the right choice for you.
Skip Ahead to:
1. The Moving to Hillsboro Oregon Team
2. What is the Cost of Living in Hillsboro Oregon?
3. Public Schools in Hillsboro Oregon
4. Best Neighborhoods in Hillsboro Oregon
5. Living in Hillsboro Oregon Tips/Info/Blogs
6. Top Destinations & Attractions in Hillsboro Oregon
7. Top Businesses & Employers in Hillsboro Oregon
8. FAQs About Living in Hillsboro Oregon
9. Helpful Links for Moving to or Living in Hillsboro Oregon
The Moving to Hillsboro Team
Let our team of trusted professionals help you buy or/and sell a home in Hillsboro, Oregon. Elizabeth Davidson has sold real estate in Hillsboro, Oregon, for over 12 years. Her knowledge of Hillsboro and the surrounding areas will be of great value as you navigate this challenging real estate market. To learn more about Elizabeth, CLICK HERE to check out her About Me video. If you're considering buying a home in Hillsboro, Oregon, CLICK HERE to sign up for Listing Alert to be the first to find out when new homes matching your criteria hit the market. Just enter the price range and other criteria you're looking for, and you'll receive an email when Hillsboro homes matching your criteria are listed.
Todd Davidson is an experienced mortgage broker and can help you get the best financing option for your home purchase. Whether you're a first time home buyer, or trying to buy/sell a home at the same time and move to Hillsboro, Todd can help. Not quite ready yet? Todd can work with you to put together a plan to get you there. Whether you're thinking a few months or a year or more if you want to buy a home in Hillsboro, Oregon, CLICK HERE to email Todd and set up a call or just call him at 971-275-2465. Together our Moving to Hillsboro team can help you make moving to or within Hillsboro, Oregon, a reality!
What is the Cost of Living in Hillsboro Oregon?
Are you looking to move to Hillsboro, Oregon? If so the cost of living would likely play a big part in your decision-making. I calculated the REAL cost of living in Hillsboro, Oregon, by factoring in today's costs for housing (rent and own), utilities, food, transportation, healthcare, and other necessities to live. To live in Hillsboro, Oregon, and rent, you would need to make $48,000 a year. To live in Hillsboro, Oregon, and buy a home, you would need to make $72,000 a year. Rental amount is based on current low end cost of studio or one bedroom, purchase is based on recent low end sales of a three bedroom and monthly payment with 20% down.
Public Schools in Hillsboro Oregon
If you've got young kids, one of the most important considerations you take into account when moving is the quality of the schools. If you're considering a move to Hillsboro, Oregon, you'll be glad to know the district has excellent schools. With around 19,000 students in 34 schools, the Hillsboro school district is the fourth largest in the state of Oregon. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1 and had an on-time graduation rate of 82.6% for 2022, compared to 80% state-wide.
For the 2022-23 school year, Niche.com gives the Hillsboro School District a B grade, ranking it #41 out of all the school districts in Oregon. With Diversity, Academics, Teachers, and College Prep all being ranked an A or B. If you're considering moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, you can be confident your kids will have access to a good education.
If you're moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, and have school-aged children, review the boundaries for the Hillsboro School District to find out which schools your kids will become a part of. For additional information, rankings, and boundaries for the Hillsboro School District, check out the Helpful Links for Moving to and Living in Hillsboro Oregon section below.
Best Neighborhoods in Hillsboro Oregon
Hillsboro is a growing city, with lots of jobs and a never ending supply of things to do. If looking to move to Hillsboro, Oregon, picking the right neighborhood for you or for you and your family is critical. Below I've listed three of the top neighborhoods if your considering moving to and living in Hillsboro, Oregon:
Orenco Station
If you're single or married without kids living in Hillsboro's, the Orenco Station neighborhood would be a great spot. This Hillsboro neighborhood was built with walkability in mind. With townhomes, condo's and row houses mixed in with restaurants, bars, and shopping, there's no reason to leave or drive in this Hillsboro neighborhood. If you want or need to head downtown, the Orenco MAX Station is in the community, and you can catch the MAX light-rail train downtown. The car is definitely optional if you live in this Hillsboro neighborhood.
And you don't want to miss the gigantic farmer's market! It's one of the best around.
Living in Hillsboro Oregon - Orenco- Photo by Todd Davidson
Jackson School
If you're looking for a community with amenities such as pools, tennis courts, nature parks, and trails, then the Jackson School neighborhood in Hillsboro might be a good option. The housing options in this Hillsboro neighborhood are more traditional Ranch and two-story homes on larger lots. The abundance of community events in this Hillsboro neighborhood, such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, community BBQ, and the massive community-wide garage sale, have created a very tight-knit close community where neighbors get to know each other.
If considering moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, you should take a long look at the Jackson School neighborhood, as it's undoubtedly one of the best neighborhoods in Hillsboro.
Living in Hillsboro Oregon - Reeds Crossing - Photo by Todd Davidson
Reed's Crossing
Sitting in South Hillsboro, seconds from Intel and ten minutes from Nike, the Reed's Crossing neighborhood in Hillsboro is a master-planned community meant to put everything you'd need right outside your door. With 36 acres of open spaces connected by miles of paths, shopping, dining, and an abundance of outdoor recreation, this Hillsboro neighborhood deserves a look.
Reed's Crossing offers a good mixture of housing options. This Hillsboro neighborhood sports classic single-family homes, smaller footprint contemporary homes, and townhomes. No matter your state in life, you're sure to find something that suits your needs in this Hillsboro neighborhood. Building in this community is still ongoing. The expected completion is scheduled for the fall of 2024. So there's still plenty of time to find a new home in this beautiful Hillsboro neighborhood.
If moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, and you'd like to buy a home in one of these fabulous neighborhoods, CLICK HERE to sign up for LISTING ALERT to be the first to know when a home matching your criteria gets listed for sale in Hillsboro, Oregon. To connect with a local realtor, CLICK HERE. One of the most important decisions you'll make when moving to Hillsboro, Oregon, is picking an experienced realtor who can help you get the house you want at the best price. At living in Oregon, we work with the best realtors throughout the state and can help you get the right realtor to make your move and home purchase as easy as possible.
Living in Hillsboro Oregon Tips/Info/Blogs
NEW BLOG ALERT SIGN UP > CLICK HERE
WANT TO KNOW WHEN A HOME MATCHING YOUR CRITERIA GETS LISTED? SIGN UP FOR LISTING ALERT > CLICK HERE
REALTOR CONNECT > CLICK HERE
DOWNLOAD FREE HOMEBUYERS GUIDE > CLICK HERE
DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE INFO > CLICK HERE
OREGON BOOKS AND OTHER RESOURCES > CLICK HERE
Top Destinations & Attractions in Hillsboro Oregon
Living in Hillsboro, Oregon, puts you just over an hour from the Oregon Coast and its breathtaking beaches and two hours from some fantastic skiing, hiking, and camping, at Mt. Hood. You don't need to go that far to have a great time living in Hillsboro, as there are a number of events and attractions if you're living in Hillsboro, Oregon, to keep you sufficiently busy:
The Hillsboro Hops
Playing in the Northwest League and an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Hillsboro Hops are a big attraction for those living in and around Hillsboro, Oregon. This single A baseball team plays its home games at Ron Tonkin Field in Hillsboro. The energy in the stadium and the kid-friendly activities make going to a Hops game quite an event for the whole family!
Hillsboro Hops Minor League Baseball - Photo by Todd Davidson
Rood Bridge Park
This 60-acre city park opened in 1999 and sits on the north bank of the Tualatin River. Hillsboro's largest park offers meeting facilities, a playground, tennis courts, hiking trails, a wading stream, a canoe launch, and a beautiful rhododendron garden. With picnic tables and benches throughout the park, Rood Bridge Park is an excellent spot to get moving or relax and have a picnic if your visiting or living in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Living in Hillsboro Oregon - Rood Bridge Park - Photo by Todd Davidson
The Wine and Beer
If you like wine or beer, visiting or living in Hillsboro, Oregon, will keep you hydrated!
Wineries in the area: Helvetia Vineyards & Winery, Oak Knoll Winery, Blizzard Wines, Garden Vineyards, and BlackRange Vineyard.
Breweries in the area: Deep Space Brewing, Three Mugs Brewing Company, Vertigo Brewing, Cornelius Pass Roadhouse and Imbrie Hall (McMenamins), and Mazama Brewing.
The Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway
Starting at Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro, Oregon, the Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway is a must-do for any biker visiting or living around Hillsboro, Oregon. The 50.5-mile bikeway offers scenic views of the Coast Range, vineyards, dairy farms, and natural areas, as well as the Tualatin River. Starting in Hillsboro and passing through some great small towns throughout Oregon, it ends on the Banks-Vernonia Trail. This scenic bikeway is recognized as one of twelve scenic bikeways in Oregon.
Roloff Farms
Just north of Hillsboro, Roloff Farms offers a wide variety of fun activities for the whole family. The farm featured on TLC's reality series "Little People, Big World" is open for the public to enjoy. During Halloween season, the farm offers a Pumpkin Patch, wagon tours, face painting, and pony rides. With a gift barn and food cart on the premises, you won't go hungry. If you're visiting or living in Hillsboro, Oregon, you must check out Roloff Farms!
Top Golf
If you live in Hillsboro, Oregon, or the surrounding area and golf, you surely know that Hillsboro is home to the only Top Golf in Oregon. For a fun night of entertainment for the whole family, whether you're a golfer or not, you must check out Top Golf!
Living in Hillsboro Oregon - Top Golf - Photo by Todd Davidson
Top Businesses & Employers in Hillsboro Oregon
Best known as being part of the Silicon Forest, you'll find many jobs in the technology industry if you're looking at moving to Hillsboro, Oregon. Giants such as Intel, Adobe, Comcast, and Salesforce all have a footprint in the city. Other large employers if you're living in Hillsboro, Oregon, include Nike, Oregon's largest employer, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo.
With all these large employers located in and around Hillsboro, Oregon, it is easy to see why the city has a healthy and growing economy and why people continue to move to Hillsboro, Oregon.
FAQs About Living in Hillsboro Oregon
What is Hillsboro known for?
Hillsboro is known for being the center of Silicon Forest. With Intel and other tech companies headquartered or having campuses in the area, tech is a major employer of Hillsboro residents and a big driver of the local economy.
What cities are close by to Hillsboro?
If you're living in Hillsboro, Oregon, you're surrounded by other great cities and towns. Some of the closest are Forest Grove - 6 miles, Beaverton - 10 miles, Tigard - 18 miles, and Portland- 28 miles. If you want to head to the Oregon Coast, Seaside is just 66 miles away! To check out other Portland Metro Cities.
Is Hillsboro a safe place to live?
Ranked as the 16th safest city in Oregon by Safewise.com. Hillsboro's property crime and violent crime rates are below the state and national averages. Hillsboro is a pretty safe place to live.
What is there to do for fun in Hillsboro?
With an abundance of parks, wineries, and breweries in Hillsboro, the 50-mile Tualatin Valley Scenic Bikeway starting at Rood Bridge Park in Hillsboro and the Oregon Coast an hour away and Mt. Hood two hours away. I'm sure you'll find plenty to do living in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Does Hillsboro have good schools?
With a 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio, a higher graduation rate than the state average, and a number of newer schools and facilities throughout the school district, you'll find that your kids will receive a quality education living in Hillsboro, Oregon.
I want to move to Hillsboro. How do I make it happen?
With the information on our website and experts to ask questions to in our Facebook Group > Moving to Oregon, you should have plenty of resources to help with your move to Hillsboro. For Mortgage Info or other questions on moving to Hillsboro, reach out to me. I would be honored to help you move to Hillsboro. Oregon. and buy a home. Together we can make living in Hillsboro a reality for you. If you just want to to research home prices and homes for sale in Hillsboro, Oregon, CLICK HERE. No info or login needed to see all the homes for sale in Hillsboro, Oregon, currently.
For FAQs about moving to Oregon or living in Oregon, check out my blog, 31 FAQs About Living in Oregon. For more information about living in Oregon, check out the homepage of LIVING IN OREGON.
Helpful Links for Moving to and Living in Hillsboro Oregon
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Public Schools
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Utilities
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Neighborhoods
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > For Sale/Rent
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Childcare
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Top Restaurants
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Wikipedia
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Things to do
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Hotels
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > Weather
Living in Hillsboro Oregon > City Website
Facebook Group > Moving to Oregon, Great for Questions
Facebook Group > Hillsboro Community
Facebook Group > Downtown Hillsboro
Facebook Group > Hillsboro Rentals, Apartments
Facebook Group > All About Hillsboro
Facebook Group > Hillsboro For Sale / Rent
Facebook Group > Now Hiring Hillsboro