Hey everyone, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is pretty low. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Anyone in a similar situation? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
3 upvotes
12 Replies
Chloe
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is challenging in most areas.
38 upvotes
Landon L.
couldn't agree more
31 upvotes
Easton Scott
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Charlotte it's surprisingly good.
27 upvotes
Luke Morris
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is improving in most areas.
27 upvotes
Sarah A.
haha yep pretty much
25 upvotes
Melanie Flores
haha yep pretty much
15 upvotes
Oliver Bennett
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
13 upvotes
Sophia Murphy
I work in marketing here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
John Harris
Bought a house here in 2016 and it was the best decision I ever made. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
11 upvotes
Zoey Sanchez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is walkability. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
9 upvotes
Colton Clark
facts
1 upvotes
portland_naomi
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 40, moved here 1 years ago from New York. I've lived in Cedar Grove and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Diverse dining options
2. Strong sense of community
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The food scene situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 New York, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. 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.