Moving to Beaverton, Oregon:
A Definitive Guide

Planning a move to Portland but you’re not a fan of the gritty life or high apartment rents? Consider nearby Beaverton located just a 10-minute drive away. Now depending upon where you are moving from, maybe you’ve either never heard of it or are imagining a city of cute, big-toothed rodents with flat tails building dams on every corner?  The truth is Beaverton – aside from its breathtaking surrounding wilderness – is one of the fastest-growing, culturally vibrant communities in the country – and for good reason.

Dig a little deeper, however, and you’ll see that there’s more to the town than big employers, natural beauty, and yes, great microbrewed beer. Just ask giant corporations like Nike and Intel which both have massive headquarter offices nearby. In fact, whether you’re single or married with kids, Beaverton likely has the activities and lifestyle you’re seeking.

Did you know Beaverton has one of the best school districts in Oregon? Or that it has three easily accessible public transit systems? How about the fact that Beaverton recently adopted a city-wide plan to fight climate change?

There’s a lot to love about this community with a population of just under 100,000. The town’s size and proximity to Portland offers residents a nice mix of the urban experience with quick access to rural Oregon.

So if you’re considering a move in the near future, read on to learn more about Beaverton’s weather, transportation, sustainability efforts, top employers, things to do, and school districts – we’ve got it all right here in our definitive guide to Beaverton!

Weather in Beaverton

Oregon weather means rain, heat, snow, and plenty of clouds. That’s why you should make sure your closet has a little bit of everything.

You’ll need a raincoat, snow boots, shorts, and tank tops to cover the wide spectrum of weather in the Pacific Northwest.

The most beautiful time of year is from late June to mid-September when the average temperature stays above 76 degrees. It rarely gets too hot either; the highest temperature of the year, on average, is just 84 degrees.

Summers are also generally dry, offering a break from the rain that sweeps through Oregon for much of the year.

Fall, winter, and spring bring rain and cold weather. It’s rare to see temperatures below freezing, however. Beaverton gets less than 2 inches of snow on average annually, but it’s worth keeping snow gear around so you’re ready for the occasional winter storm.  Also, Beaverton is about a day’s drive or so from high-elevation mountains, which will have snowfall into the summer sometimes, so it’s good to have those items around for winter fun, all year ‘round.

If you’re making a long-distance move to Beaverton, you’ll have to get used to the rain in Oregon. From October to May, there’s a 31% chance of rain – often just a mist or sprinkle –  on any given day. Oregon residents know the value of an umbrella and a good pair of galoshes.

Transportation in Beaverton

If your moving budget  – or healthy lifestyle doesn’t  car, don’t worry. Beaverton is super bike-friendly and has three different options for public transportation. Oregon is one of the most bike-friendly states in America, and Beaverton is no different. The city has four different dedicated bike trails, totaling over 30 miles. The most popular bike route is the Beaverton Loop which runs around the edge of the city. For more information on Beaverton bike trails, click here.Since it rains frequently in Oregon, public transportation is often preferable to biking. Beaverton is located on the MAX light rail line which connects to Portland and its surrounding suburbs.

Beaverton residents can also access the WES Commuter Rail. This train only runs on the weekdays and connects Beaverton to the Portland suburbs of Tigard, Tualatin, and Wilsonville.

Beaverton is also connected to the TriMet bus system which has over 600 buses on over 80 lines connecting Portland, Beaverton, and the surrounding area.

Sustainability in Beaverton

Few things are as important to Oregonians as being environmentally friendly, which is why the state came in 7th on a list of the most eco-friendly places in the US.

If you’re moving to Beaverton, Oregon from out-of-state, you might see more recycling and conservation efforts than you’re used to in other states.

In 2019, the Beaverton city council adopted a Climate Action Plan to reduce the community’s greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

The plan also calls for the city to be carbon neutral by 2030. As you might be able to tell by the city council’s actions, Beaverton residents try to live as eco-friendly as possible.

The state of Oregon is no different. Oregon banned single-use plastic bags and straws in 2019, even going so far as requiring businesses to charge customers for recycled plastic bags.

Don’t expect to see much single-use plastic in Beaverton, and be wary of using single-use plastic water bottles!

The community cares about the environment and encourages reusable water bottles, cycling, and other environmentally friendly practices.

Employers in Beaverton

Welcome to the “Silicon Forest.” That’s the nickname for the business corridor between Beaverton and Hillsboro which is home to massive offices for Nike, Intel, IBM, and Tektronix.

• Nike is Beaverton’s largest employer, followed by Tektronix and Merix.
• Living in Beaverton provides you with access to technology and manufacturing industries, but there are a lot of employment opportunities in education as well.
• The Beaverton School District is the 3rd largest school district in Oregon and employs more than 3,000 people locally.
• The Hillsboro School District, located nearby and employing more than 1,000 people, is the 4th largest district in Oregon.

Things to Do After Moving to Beaverton, Oregon

Anyone moving to Beaverton should get ready to spend time outdoors. The beautiful Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is just 80 minutes from downtown Beaverton.

One of the crown jewels of Oregon’s gorgeous landscape, this 4,000-foot canyon stretches 80 miles between Oregon and Washington.

Looking to stay a little closer to home? Beaverton has over 100 parks with 30 miles of hiking trails. Be sure to check out the Tualatin Hills Nature Park in the Vendla Park neighborhood.

Vendla Park tends to be a great neighborhood for families, and the Tualatin Hills Nature Park is definitely part of the draw. This 222-acre outdoor recreation area has sports facilities, community gardens, and summer camps for kids.

Although a lot of activities in Oregon revolve around the great outdoors, you can also fill your time with trips to Beaverton’s popular local breweries.

Oregon has a rich brewery tradition, exemplified by the fact that Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world. Beaverton’s most popular breweries are Great Notion, Vertigo, and Uptown Beer.

Ready to move beyond the local beer scene? Check out Bargarten Bavarian Social Haus in the Vendla Park neighborhood of Beaverton.

This authentic German restaurant features over 15 authentic German beers and an array of German cuisine like sausages, schnitzels, and fondue.

New breweries pop up all the time here. In fact, three new breweries are opening in Beaverton in summer 2021!

In addition to local beer, Beaverton is also known for producing amazing local coffee.

Thornton Coffee Roasters, located in Beaverton, prides itself on a 100% green supply chain and a coffee house that’s located just a few feet from the roastery itself.

For even more local fare, check out the Beaverton Farmers Market. The market is open every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm May through September, and 10:00 am to 1:30 pm in the winter months.

The Beaverton Farmers Market is Oregon’s largest agricultural market, featuring food vendors, farm-fresh produce, and seasonal wine and beer tastings. Going to the market is a great way to get acclimated to the health-conscious, eco-friendly community here in Beaverton.

Schools in Beaverton

The Beaverton School District has impressive rankings for such a large district. Out of 161 Oregon school districts, Beaverton is rated the 6th best district in Oregon, the 5th most diverse, and 10th in terms of teacher quality.

Beaverton is home to the number one ranked high school in Oregon, the International School of Beaverton (ISB). Every student at ISB takes a full International Baccalaureate course schedule.

The school offers extremely small class sizes, with less than 400 kids enrolled in the high school at any given time.

Another option is Southridge High School, ranked as the 13th best high school in Oregon. It offers both IB and Advanced Placement (AP) programs.

The largest high school in Beaverton is Westview High School with over 2,600 students. Westview High ranks as the 4th best high school in Oregon for college prep.

For a full overview of Beaverton School District rankings, click here.

Looks Like You’re Ready to Move to Beaverton!

Whether you want to do more hiking and biking or you’re eager to come and work for some of the nation’s largest employers, moving to Beaverton, Oregon can help you make it happen.