My family moved here when I was a kid. It's a a small town city with about 18,125 people. Median household income is $69,804, which feels about average for the area. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Should I be concerned?
15 upvotes
15 Replies
Melanie Sanchez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value pet-friendliness, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation 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.
40 upvotes
Aaron Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 41, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Diverse dining options
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. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The pet-friendliness situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for singles. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Portland, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
38 upvotes
Delilah C.
yep
36 upvotes
Noah S.
Bought a house here in 2024 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
36 upvotes
Evelyn Howard
underrated comment
34 upvotes
Lucy Johnson
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Minneapolis and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Logan Alvarez
Bought a house here in 2019 and I genuinely enjoy living here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
30 upvotes
Xavier
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
20 upvotes
Eva
couldn't agree more
19 upvotes
Adam Brown
Public transit is average here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
19 upvotes
serenity_chef
I work in healthcare here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Ezekiel Hughes
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Nathan Jimenez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Midtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in retail. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
9 upvotes
Aaron B.
Hot take but it was the best decision I ever made. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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