Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is perched on historic Marquam Hill, with panoramic vistas of the Multnomah County basin and nearby Cascade mountains.

Expansion of the OHSU campus and clinics is rapidly developing in the South Waterfront district, which is connected to the Marquam Hill campus by the Portland Aerial Tram. Among these projects is the new site for the Knight Cancer Institute, the state of the art, ecologically designed future home of the Division of Hematology and Oncology, slated for completion in 2019. Faculty see patients in clinics both at the Marquam Hill campus and on the South Waterfront, as well as at the VA Hospital and various satellite clinics in the Portland metropolitan area.

Portland is famous for its recreational culture. Mount Hood stands in the distance, about 100 miles east of campus. With its three ski resorts, Mount Hood is one of several options within only a few hours driving distance for some fun in the snow. The Columbia River Gorge, just a few miles east of the city, is a National Scenic Area. 90 miles west of Portland is the Oregon Coast, with beautiful beaches that are protected under public ownership, limiting development of property while keeping them open and free for public enjoyment.

Within the city itself, Portland sets the standard for eco-friendly urban planning, with 350 miles of bikeways and 7,500 acres of parkland, including Forest Park, the largest urban wilderness area within any U.S. city. OHSU itself hosts free bike valet services for employees and students through Go By Bike, and even has a bike commuting incentive program that will pay you to ride to work.

Portland is a culturally profound and diverse city, with such traditional venues for entertainment as the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Portland Ballet, Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society, numerous galleries, and live theater, with various other music halls for indie-rock, local jazz, and folk music. The Portland Trail Blazers dominate the NBA hardcourt at the Moda Center, with the Timbers and Thorns representing the MLS and the NWSL -- not to forget the Portland Pickles, the city's proud and determined collegiate woodbat baseball team.

The city hosts a variety of cuisines, from upscale restaurants to the city staple food carts, tucked away in various "pods" throughout many of Portland's neighborhoods. Portland is famous for its breweries and viticulture, with 37 breweries in the city and several wineries within short driving distance. Finally, Portland is also known for its love of books, with many independent bookstores to be found, and not just Powell's City of Books, the world's largest independent bookstore.

Portland boasts strong schools and urban infrastructure. Tri-Met enables widespread access to the city through its bus and rail systems. OHSU offers employees and students a significantly subsidized transportation pass.

More about OHSU and Portland

Guide to Portland Neighborhoods from the Portland Monthly Magazine.

Cost of living in Portland is consistently lower than most west coast metropolitan areas.

Portland is situated about 80 miles inland from the Pacific Coast and midway between the lower Coastal mountain range on the west and the higher Cascade mountain range on the east. Portland weather has a very definite winter-wet, summer dry climate. Summers are warm and dry while 80 percent of the annual total rainfall occurs from November through May.

The city hosts numerous events throughout the year, and there is always something to do.