10 Simple Ways to Find Your Tribe

(Oregon & Washington Edition—easy to read, easy to try)

Moving to Portland, Seattle, Spokane or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest can feel huge. New rain, new views, and new faces. The fastest way to feel at home is to find people who like what you like.

As a real estate professional I’m often asked about things to do in certain cities, neighborhoods and communities. As adults, let’s face it, it’s not always easy to make new friends. One might ask, where to find friends, how to cultivate new relationships or how to build or join a community. That’s why I put together this simple blog post!

Try these ten ideas—each has quick steps and local tips that work from the Coast to the Cascades.

1. Go to Local Festivals

Festivals show you the heart of a place. You meet neighbors and learn local traditions in one fun spot.

Try this

• Scan city calendars for events like Portland Rose Festival, Seattle Seafair, or the Yakima Hop Festival.

• Offer to volunteer; staff always need extra hands.

• Say hello to the person next to you in line—easy ice-breaker.

In real life:
“After landing in Bend from her hometown in Texas one of my clients joined the Bend Summer Fest. She met trail-runners who later became her weekend hiking crew.”

2. Join a Team or Class

Moving your body breaks the ice fast. A shared workout gives you built-in chat time.

Try this

• Check parks departments for indoor soccer, pickleball, or paddle-board lessons.

• Show up every week so faces become familiar.

In real life:
“In Vancouver, WA, I joined a beginner pickleball league. Post-game smoothies turned into steady friendships.”

3. Shop Small and Local

Small shops are the social hubs of many PNW towns. Owners love to talk and will introduce you to regulars.

Try this

• Pick one farmers market and visit each weekend.

• Become a “usual” at an indie coffee spot—think Case Study Coffee in Portland or Elm Coffee Roasters in Seattle.

• Ask staff for other must-visit spots.

Quick fact:
Almost every U.S. business is a small one. Your dollars matter close to home.

4. Use Online Groups

Why it helps
Apps bridge the first gap when you know no one yet.

Try this

• Search Meetup for groups like “PNW New Hikers” or “Tacoma Board-Game Nights.”

• Follow local Instagram pages that list free events.

• Join city subreddits (r/Portland, r/Seattle) and introduce yourself.

In real life:
“A Meetup hiking group led me to my first winter snowshoe on Mount Hood—and five new friends.”

5. Volunteer Nearby

Helping out bonds people fast. You see the same faces and share a goal.

Try this

• Look at SOLVE Oregon beach clean-ups or Food Lifeline in Seattle.

• Sign up for a short shift first; add more later if you like it.

In real life:
“I planted trees with Friends of Trees in Eugene. Dirt, rain, and donuts—perfect recipe for new pals.”

6. Take a Workshop

Learning side-by-side sparks easy talk.

Try this

• Check community colleges for pottery, coding, or foraging classes.

• Pick something linked to the region, like mushroom ID or salmon cooking.

In real life:
“At a PCC bread-baking class, I swapped starter dough with classmates and now we share bake-days each month.”

7. Join a Pro Network

Career links often turn into social ones.

Try this

• Attend Seattle Tech Talks or Portland Startup Week mixers.

• Add yourself to local LinkedIn groups and comment often.

In real life:
“Moving to Tacoma, I joined the local builders’ association breakfast. One chat there led to my current job and a softball invite.”

8. Meet Your Neighborhood Group

Block-level ties make the city feel smaller.

Try this

• Search “[Your city] neighborhood association.”

• Go to a monthly meeting or park clean-up.

• Offer a skill—graphic design, kids’ crafts, anything.

In Real life:
“In Salem, I joined the Grant Neighborhood Association and helped plan a street potluck. I now wave to half the block on my walks.”

9. Visit Faith or Spirit Centers

Shared values give quick common ground.

Try this

• Drop in on services, meditation circles, or community meals.

• Ask about volunteer days; many churches host food banks.

In real life
“A Sunday free-meal program at a Spokane church led me to a weekly game night with the volunteers.”

10. Start Your Own Group

If you build it, others will come—especially in smaller towns.

Try this

• Post a simple invite on Nextdoor: “Looking for weekend chess partners in Corvallis—who’s in?”

• Pick a regular place and time; consistency grows numbers.

In real life
“I missed open-mic poetry, so I launched one at a Bellingham café. After two months, we filled every seat.”

Finding your crowd in Oregon or Washington takes a bit of nerve and a bit of showing up. Quality friendships are the foundation of what makes (y)our communities. Use festivals, classes, small shops, and online tools to stack the odds. Go often, keep conversations light, and give people a chance to know you. Soon, the drizzle will feel cozy, and the Pacific Northwest will feel like home.

Sincerely,

Jessica Ward

Broker | ADU Specialist | OR & WA

She/Her

My life is fueled by a profound passion for serving others and making a positive impact on my community.

https://youtu.be/x1kSQm5UdQo?si=Wam5-ZRcj3VTRn_g I’m a Great NW native and— five years into this industry—a broker known for delivering results while making people feel genuinely taken care of. I grew up in Portland and Southwest Washington, and I know this market—its neighborhoods, culture, pricing nuances, and opportunities. That lived understanding informs every recommendation I make. I’m inclusive of all people, price points and committed to creating a space where clients feel safe, respected, and fully themselves. I’m a mother to my daughter, Wynter Katie, and a dog mom to a very cute Yorkshire terrier, which keeps me grounded in real life and real perspective.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me hiking in the Gorge, wine tasting in the Willamette Valley, dining at local restaurants, hosting social gatherings, perusing an art gallery, flowing through hot yoga, drinking a good hazy IPA at a brewery, listening to an audiobook or podcast, attending a networking event, chaperoning my daughters field trips. boating on the river, or unwinding at local spas and bathhouses.

I stay deeply connected to my community through volunteering and board participation. I’m especially passionate about children’s needs—particularly those involved in the foster care system—climate impact and sustainability, justice and equity for people of color, and mental health advocacy.

My clients consistently rate their experience with me five stars, whether they are buying selling or simply attending one of the first time home buying classes I host for free to educate and empower the community. I’ve been called the “queen of resources and connections,” and I take that seriously. I’m known for navigating down payment assistance programs, grants, ADUs, seller financing, and non-traditional paths to ownership with ease and clarity. Think polished expertise with a side of “I got you.” Access is power. Education is leverage. And I believe everyone deserves both. I’m also a real estate investor who manages my own properties, including an ADU, so my guidance is grounded in lived experience. I understand long-term value, cash flow, development potential, and creative strategy—not just on paper, but in practice. As a black woman in real estate, I lead with excellence and purpose in an industry where representation is still very rare. I’m honored to be the first African American broker in Oregon state history to close a transaction with a Black-owned title and escrow company, but my greatest accomplishment is impact—helping clients secure stability, build wealth, and step confidently into ownership. I run a tight ship—transparent, strategic, and supportive—but don’t get it twisted, we’ll laugh too. I bring luxury-level service without the stiffness. Professional polish with real and genuine personality. To me, real estate isn’t just about property—it’s about security, freedom, and community. And when you work with me, you’re not just closing a deal… you’re building something bigger. Follow along: @Jessica_TheHomeGirl

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What Clients Are Saying:

Clients consistently share that working with me feels:

• Supportive and steady, even in high-pressure moments

• Clear and transparent, with no unanswered questions

• Strategic and informed, particularly during negotiations

• Personal, never transactional

First-time buyers say they felt educated and empowered. Sellers value my pricing insight and communication. Investors trust my numbers, perspective, and long-term thinking. Five stars—because the experience is intentional!

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Affiliations and Accolades:

• ADU Specialist
• Earth Advantage Certified
• Portland NAACP (Member)
• LRR Diversity Chair Award Winner
• Lents Neighborhood Association (Former President)
• Youth Rights and Justice (Board Member & Sponsor)
• Asian Real Estate Association of America (Member)
• National Association of Real Estate Brokers (Member)
• Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors (Member)
• Broker Advisory Group at Living Room Realty (2024-2026)

 

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• T: 971-230-8164
• jessicaw@livingroomre.com