While it’s located in the Tualatin River Valley just seven miles west of Portland, don’t think of Beaverton as just another cookie-cutter suburb.
Best Places 2017
The city of 97,000 has its own personality, thanks to a thriving restaurant scene, one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the area, and big local employers like Nike (which is headquartered here) and Tektronix.
Quality of life ranks high: Commutes average a relatively modest 22 minutes, and residents enjoy more than 100 scenic parks. Beaverton also offers easy day trips to breathtaking recreation options—like the Oregon coastline, just 90 minutes away, or Mount Hood, a premier skiing destination.
There are 77 vineyards in the Tualatin Valley; Cooper Mountain Vineyards and the Ponzi Historic Estate are two popular destinations in town for wine tasting and other events. —Ismat Sarah Mangla
