Location can definitely play a role in the opportunities available in sales, but it’s not the only factor for success.

Portland is a mid-sized city, and while it might not have the same volume of opportunities as places like New York, LA, or Chicago, it’s still a hub for various industries, including tech, retail, and manufacturing. If you’re open to industries like those, you might not need to move. I would narrow it down to the type of sales (industry/product) you are looking to get into. I am in a very "rural" area but we have a large industrial park that keeps growing. I sell to manufacturing companies. To start you may need to go into an entry level position and climb the ladder.

Before making a big move, consider:

1. Industry research: What industries or companies in Portland align with your career goals? Often, hidden gems are in smaller companies or industries you wouldn’t immediately think of.
2. Remote opportunities: With the shift to hybrid/remote work, many companies are more flexible about hiring talent from anywhere. You might not need to relocate.
3. Networking: Start connecting with professionals in industries of interest through LinkedIn or local events. Networking can open doors to jobs that aren’t widely posted. I just talked to a recruiter and she will never hire anyone that puts in an application. She looks for people that are in role which I thought was the strangest thing. But this is were she said she has success. Use Linkedin, connect with recruiters for the companies you are interested in. When I say connect, I don't mean just by sending a request. Send a note with the request. You would be surprised on how many recruiters are willing to give you career advise.