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Ritz-Carlton has Portland's highest HOA fees

Some residents pay more than $3,700 a month for luxury amenities and services.

News

Living in downtown Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury Ritz-Carlton Residences" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/12/13/year-end-reflection-ritz-carlton-small-businesses" data-vars-content-id="1fc83565-bd7c-4a13-8a30-91470018df03" data-vars-headline="Ritz-Carlton has Portland&#x27;s highest HOA fees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/12/13/year-end-reflection-ritz-carlton-small-businesses" target="_self">luxury Ritz-Carlton Residences</a> comes with a hefty price tag beyond the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="million-dollar mortgage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/550-SW-10th-Ave-97205/unit-2610/home/190505386" data-vars-content-id="1fc83565-bd7c-4a13-8a30-91470018df03" data-vars-headline="Ritz-Carlton has Portland&#x27;s highest HOA fees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/OR/Portland/550-SW-10th-Ave-97205/unit-2610/home/190505386" target="_blank">million-dollar mortgage</a>. By the numbers: Homeowners there pay $1.30 per square foot in monthly HOA fees — more than anywhere else in the city — per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/realestate/2026/10/ritz-carlton-portlands-130-per-square-foot-hoa-fee-leads-local-market.html" data-vars-content-id="1fc83565-bd7c-4a13-8a30-91470018df03" data-vars-headline="Ritz-Carlton has Portland&#x27;s highest HOA fees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/realestate/2026/10/ritz-carlton-portlands-130-per-square-foot-hoa-fee-leads-local-market.html" target="_blank">the Oregonian</a>.

The best 5 fall hikes in and around Portland

From waterfall trails to mountain vistas, these hikes deliver spectacular autumn scenery.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hiking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/30/three-off-the-beaten-track-trails-close-to-portland" data-vars-content-id="d42cac1f-312a-4632-bb2e-fffb258538ee" data-vars-headline="The best 5 fall hikes in and around Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/30/three-off-the-beaten-track-trails-close-to-portland" target="_self">Hiking</a> in the Pacific Northwest is unparalleled any time of year, but fall is when our region truly shines with waterfalls and vistas framed in the dramatic oranges, yellows and scarlets of the season.<ul><li>We&#x27;ve put together a list of five of our favorite fall hikes within an hour of Portland.</li></ul>

Portland families fear losing their schools

A proposal to close up to 14 schools has parents questioning their families' futures.

Portland families are angry and sad over a proposal to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="close up to 14 schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/10/06/schools-could-close-enrollment-budget" data-vars-content-id="4337d9e9-d08d-47d8-a51d-92c7415006ee" data-vars-headline="Portland families fear losing their schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/10/06/schools-could-close-enrollment-budget" target="_self">close up to 14 schools</a>, with some considering leaving the city.Why it matters: The announcement last week drew a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="swift and widespread response" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2026/10/watch-portland-parents-families-barge-into-board-meeting-to-protest-school-closures.html" data-vars-content-id="4337d9e9-d08d-47d8-a51d-92c7415006ee" data-vars-headline="Portland families fear losing their schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/education/2026/10/watch-portland-parents-families-barge-into-board-meeting-to-protest-school-closures.html" target="_blank">swift and widespread response</a> from parents across the city, with many saying their schools are the foundation of their communities.

Portland ballot measure leaves key questions open

Voters will decide whether residents should control 2% of the city's discretionary budget.

Portlanders will weigh in on only one ballot measure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this election season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/election" data-vars-content-id="2808b604-f7e4-4ec1-88e7-5366afc4dcc6" data-vars-headline="Portland ballot measure leaves key questions open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/election" target="_self">this election season</a> — a proposal to give residents more say in how the city spends a portion of its budget — yet many of its key details have yet to be ironed out.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Measure 26-267" data-vars-click-url="https://multco.us/info/measure-26-267-amends-charter-portland-residents-decide-2-citys-annual-discretionary-budget" data-vars-content-id="2808b604-f7e4-4ec1-88e7-5366afc4dcc6" data-vars-headline="Portland ballot measure leaves key questions open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://multco.us/info/measure-26-267-amends-charter-portland-residents-decide-2-citys-annual-discretionary-budget" target="_blank">Measure 26-267</a>, also known as the &quot;Your 2 Cents&quot; initiative, would let residents propose and vote on projects that would be funded by 2% of Portland&#x27;s discretionary fund, or roughly $16 million annually.

How a Super El Niño could impact Oregon

"There is a lot riding on this winter," Oregon's state climatologist told Axios.

A potentially historic El Niño brewing in the Pacific Ocean could mean a warmer, wetter winter in Oregon — but that doesn&#x27;t mean snow is out of the question. Why it matters: The state is in desperate need of fresh rain and mountain snow in order to replenish our thirsty, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought-ridden" data-vars-click-url="https://www.drought.gov/states/oregon" data-vars-content-id="5b5f41f7-fcdd-4aa7-8484-8c30b527a166" data-vars-headline="How a Super El Niño could impact Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.drought.gov/states/oregon" target="_blank">drought-ridden</a> landscape.

Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks

As heat risks rise, many Oregon households still lack A/C.

Climate

Clatsop County — home to coastal towns like Astoria, Cannon Beach and Seaside — has the highest share of households without air conditioning in Oregon, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" data-vars-content-id="4fd43a31-ff57-48ba-9a20-e36289d92cbf" data-vars-headline="Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" target="_blank">recent census data</a>.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat waves get more common" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/09/heat-dome-study-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="4fd43a31-ff57-48ba-9a20-e36289d92cbf" data-vars-headline="Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/09/heat-dome-study-climate-change" target="_self">heat waves get more common</a> and more intense due to climate change, more Oregonians may install A/C to stay cool and healthy — especially in places that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aren&#x27;t as used to extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-023-00340-3" data-vars-content-id="4fd43a31-ff57-48ba-9a20-e36289d92cbf" data-vars-headline="Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41612-023-00340-3" target="_blank">aren&#x27;t as used to extreme heat</a>.

Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off

Three gray whales found on Oregon beaches add to concerns about a wider die-off.

Nearly two dozen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gray whales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/04/oregon-gray-whales-foraging-techniques" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/04/oregon-gray-whales-foraging-techniques" target="_self">gray whales</a> have washed ashore along the West Coast this year, including three found on Oregon beaches — a troubling sign some experts say may signal another die-off event.The big picture: Many of the whales appeared upon necropsy to be emaciated, meaning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they did not get enough food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/31/sea-urchin-boom-harms-oregon-gray-whales" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/31/sea-urchin-boom-harms-oregon-gray-whales" target="_self">they did not get enough food</a> during last summer&#x27;s feeding session, Michael Milstein, a spokesperson with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="OPB" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/20/gray-whales-starving-died-oregon-coast/" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/20/gray-whales-starving-died-oregon-coast/" target="_blank">OPB</a>.

Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland

A warming climate is extending the freeze-free season and worsening pollen in the Northwest.

Grab your tissues: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allergy season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/11/climate-change-allergy-season-oregon-longer" data-vars-content-id="a7ccdaed-f100-44b1-9c43-6f9f38011886" data-vars-headline="Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/11/climate-change-allergy-season-oregon-longer" target="_self">Allergy season</a> is getting longer in Portland amid climate change, according to a new analysis from Climate Central.The big picture: The freeze-free growing season for plants lengthened from 1970 to 2025 in nearly 90% of the 198 cities analyzed in the climate research group&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" data-vars-content-id="a7ccdaed-f100-44b1-9c43-6f9f38011886" data-vars-headline="Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" target="_blank">latest report</a>.

Portland's winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend

A new Climate Central analysis finds Portland winters lasting four days longer.

Winters are getting shorter across most U.S. cities amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="9473f9d8-e176-479e-a933-be973a8acf6b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a>, but not in Portland.<ul><li>That&#x27;s per a new<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/shorter-winters-in-195-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="9473f9d8-e176-479e-a933-be973a8acf6b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/shorter-winters-in-195-us-cities" target="_blank"> analysis</a> based on temperatures rather than calendar dates from Climate Central, a climate research group.</li></ul>Driving the news: Compared to the 1970-1997 period, winters are now shorter in 80% of the 245 U.S. cities analyzed in the report.

Portland's midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring

It&#x27;s no mirage: Portland is experiencing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midwinter warmup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" target="_self">midwinter warmup</a>.Driving the news: The Pacific Northwest is having a stretch of unusually warm weather, with temperatures in Oregon and southwest Washington expected to climb into the upper 50s and lower 60s this week, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" target="_blank">the National Weather Service</a>.

Portland's first freeze is arriving later

Later freezes could extend allergy season and harm crop yields.

As La Niña is expected to bring a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="colder, wetter winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" target="_self">colder, wetter winter</a> to Portland, we&#x27;re only a few weeks out until our first freeze, too.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first freezing temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" target="_self">first freezing temperatures</a> after summer are coming later on the calendar than they used to, according to a new analysis.

La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon

Forecasters say La Niña will bring more snow and rain across Oregon this winter.

Portlanders should prepare for another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wet, cold winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" target="_self">wet, cold winter</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" target="_blank">the latest outlook</a> from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The big picture: The Pacific Northwest is expected to see above-average precipitation totals and below-average temperatures for December, January and February, in part due to a developing weak La Niña — similar to what we saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" target="_self">last year</a>.

Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones

70% of students attend schools in areas that are up to 8° hotter due to the urban heat island effect.

Most K–12 public students in Portland attend schools in extreme <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban heat zones," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="bc46d55d-1e63-43c7-bce6-f44922cc7ca8" data-vars-headline="Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" target="_self">urban heat zones,</a> a new analysis finds.Why it matters: The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during heat waves like the one we&#x27;re in currently.

Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer

June through September has a 50-60% chance of being hotter than average for most of the state.

Most of Oregon is staring down a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotter and drier" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" target="_self">hotter and drier</a> than average summer, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new climate forecasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" target="_blank">new climate forecasts</a>.Why it matters: Warmer temperatures and less precipitation raises the chances of drought conditions, wildfire risk and the potential of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat-related deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" target="_self">heat-related deaths</a>.

A choropleth map of the United States showing the estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, by county, in 2023. Overall, 6.9% of households in the U.S. lacked AC. Rates were much higher in Alaska, Hawaii, the west, and Appalachia. The county in the contiguous U.S. with the highest share without AC was San Francisco County in California, at 65.4%. The county with the highest number of households without AC was Los Angeles County, at 702 thousand.

Estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, 2023

Data: U.S. Census; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Axios What's Next

A symbol map of U.S. cities showing the change in average allergy season length from 1970 to 2025. For most cities, the season has gotten longer, by an average of 23 days. Reno, Nevada, shows an increase of 100 days, while Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a decrease of 15 days.

Change in the average length of allergy season from 1970 to 2025

Data: Climate Central; Note: Map shows data for the two largest cities in each state, where available; Map: Axios Visuals

A U.S. map showing the change in average length of consecutive winter days from 1970-1997 to 1998-2025. 15 metro areas experienced 20 fewer days of winter, including Juneau, Alaska with 62 fewer days. Only metros experienced 20 more days: Eureka, California (50) and Monterey (46).

Change in the average length of winter

Data: Climate Central; Note: Winter temperature threshold based on the coldest 90-day window; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

Climate 🌿

How a Super El Niño could impact Oregon

Oregon households without A/C face rising heat risks

Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off

Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland

Portland's winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend