Moving from Portland to Ballenger Creek next month
Hello, We have two kids and Median household income is $108,385, which feels pretty solid for the area. You can expect to pay around $1,913 for rent here. Homes are going for about $369,800 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Ballenger Creek sits at 429.7 per 100K. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What are your go-to spots? The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
13 upvotes
15 Replies
Catherine T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 26, moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in Westside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The traffic situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
37 upvotes
Julian T.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are established, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
37 upvotes
Maya Clark
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 15 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is pet-friendliness. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the weather is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Bradley R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
Henry S.
yeah no that's not right
32 upvotes
Naomi Ramirez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
30 upvotes
Luna Harris
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I love the pace of life here.
26 upvotes
Peyton Gomez
bump
25 upvotes
Joseph King
glad someone said it
23 upvotes
Claire C.
Came here for cost of living and stayed because the quality of life is solid. The job market is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
18 upvotes
Hudson Peterson
good to know, thanks
16 upvotes
sunny_aaron48
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
16 upvotes
Amy B.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The job market is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
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