Portland
Portland sits where the Willamette and Columbia rivers meet, tucked between mountain ranges with more than 10,000 acres of protected parkland woven into the city's fabric. Washington Park alone offers 15 miles of hiking paths, the Oregon Zoo, and the Portland Japanese Garden. The city's MAX light rail, Portland Streetcar, and extensive bike lane network make getting around effortless, and Powell's City of Books on Burnside has anchored the local literary scene for decades. Renters here have no shortage of options, from sleek high-rise apartments in South Waterfront to Craftsman-style townhomes in Irvington and industrial lofts throughout Central Eastside. Neighborhoods like the Pearl District, Hawthorne, and Sellwood-Moreland each carry their own personality — from converted warehouse lofts and gallery rows to vintage shops and riverfront trails. Portland State University keeps the city energized, bringing a creative pulse to the downtown area. The city earned its nickname "the Rose City" through the International Rose Test Garden, which has been blooming in Washington Park since 1917 and remains one of the oldest operating public rose test gardens in the country.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga sits where the Tennessee River curves against the base of Lookout Mountain, giving the city a distinct sense of place that few mid-sized cities can match. With roughly 181,000 residents, it is Tennessee's fourth-largest city and a growing economic center anchored by advanced manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, and a Volkswagen assembly plant at Enterprise South that draws suppliers and corporate offices to the region. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga adds an academic presence near the heart of the city, supporting a medical corridor that has become one of the more active employment hubs in the Southeast. Neighborhoods range widely in character. Downtown and the adjacent Southside offer lofts, converted warehouses, and newer high-rise apartment communities close to the Tennessee Aquarium and Warehouse Row. North Shore, just across the Walnut Street Bridge, provides a quieter residential feel with access to Coolidge Park and the riverfront. St. Elmo holds historic streets at the foot of Lookout Mountain, while Highland Park offers renovated homes and apartments near Sculpture Fields. Renters can choose from restored bungalows, modern mid-rises, and large apartment communities spread across these distinct districts, with commute times across most of the city staying well under half an hour.
Milwaukie
Settled in 1847 and named for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Milwaukie combines art, history, and nature with a fun and funky attitude. This terrific city sits on the southeast side of Portland and it offers a friendly atmosphere with a strong sense of community. The first settlers to arrive to the Milwaukie area, brothers by the name of Luelling, were orchardists who later developed the Bing cherry. In addition to this sweet claim to fame, Milwaukie is known as the Dogwood City of the West. For those who want to explore the town’s fascinating past, the Milwaukie Museum highlights the town’s history and is a historic building in its own right, a farmhouse built in 1865. Living in Milwaukie, you’ll enjoy a variety of shops, wine bars and tap rooms, and outdoor adventures. The city is very walkable and bicycle-friendly, and several parks dot the Willamette River along the city’s west side. Visit Elk Rock Island to do some fishing or Spring Park Natural Area to enjoy the walking trails and playground. Milwaukie does promise you a rose garden – just visit the Sara Hite Memorial Rose Garden to surround yourself in its 400-plus rose bushes. Located about six miles from downtown Portland, commuters can easily reach the city. For those who prefer mass transit, the TriMet’s light rail service connects Milwaukie with Portland. If you want to bike to the station you’ll find 36 rack spaces and 12 lockers.
