Hey folks, I'm originally from Portland and Median household income is $141,831, which feels pretty solid for the area. Poverty rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 55--F, so expect cold winters. Homes are going for about $442,000 on average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Worth the trade-offs? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development.
28 upvotes
30 Replies
Emily
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
38 upvotes
Emilia Bennett
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely improving and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Downtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
38 upvotes
Olivia Walker
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 33, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: 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 LA, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
Jeremiah Diaz
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Melanie A.
hmm interesting perspective
30 upvotes
James Lewis
Bought a house here in 2022 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
29 upvotes
Naomi Garcia
wish I knew this sooner
28 upvotes
Eli Kelly
I work in marketing here and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The job market for my field is pretty good. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Autumn Turner
I've lived in Uptown for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas
- The housing market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for families. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Jose Perez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Fairview) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Limited shopping 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.
26 upvotes
Kinsley C.
lol so true
25 upvotes
Henry Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely improving and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited public transit 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.
22 upvotes
philly_brooks
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Luca Harris
bump
22 upvotes
Hazel Flores
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
20 upvotes
Evelyn C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. tech is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is decent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Limited high-paying job options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
20 upvotes
Sadie
honestly same experience here
20 upvotes
Cooper R.
preach
19 upvotes
Landon
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
16 upvotes
Lillian Kelly
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely decent and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
15 upvotes
Oliver Peterson
I work in tech here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Jessica W.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I love the pace of life here. Compared to Atlanta it's underrated.
13 upvotes
Xavier W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
12 upvotes
Declan Perez
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Ruby S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Sarah Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Tampa about 8 years ago. The main reasons were weather and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are manageable, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
8 upvotes
kc_hannah
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Mexican places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
8 upvotes
Santiago Howard
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Eva Brooks
same here
3 upvotes
Arianna
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
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