Not sure if this has been asked before, but The unemployment rate is 1.8%, which is pretty low. Average temperature is around 62--F, so the weather is moderate. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Anyone in a similar situation?
9 upvotes
9 Replies
Adeline
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Jacob Stewart
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
portlandchef2023
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
21 upvotes
Isaac White
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Korean places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
11 upvotes
Nova
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Strong sense of community
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are reasonable, gas is excellent.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
8 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
I work in manufacturing here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is excellent. No regrets on my end..
3 upvotes
Ava Cruz
Hot take but the quality of life is solid. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
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