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Benjamin Phillips living

Day-to-day life in Gresham, OR

Hey folks, I'm a 52-year-old software engineer and Median household income is $73,608, which feels about average for the area. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Has anyone dealt with this?
47 upvotes

6 Replies

wild_james54
bump
38 upvotes
Jordan Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 4 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and work.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options

Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer

Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is solid.

Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Wyatt Gutierrez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is tough in most areas.
28 upvotes
Hailey
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a social worker who relocated here from Houston about 4 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals

Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high

Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are affordable, gas is average.

Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
Aaron R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a marketing manager, 49, moved here 7 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The weather situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for young professionals. challenging vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$140K 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.
8 upvotes
Samantha E.
great question, following
5 upvotes
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