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Sadie Bennett
living
Honest thoughts on life in Hermiston
Hey folks, Am I overthinking this? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
11 upvotes
15 Replies
Maverick Ramos
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Old Town for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are better than expected. 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. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Thomas R.
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
tulsawalker2023
This.
38 upvotes
Jordan Baker
following this thread
38 upvotes
Emmett W.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
Hudson P.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The dating scene is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
36 upvotes
Nicholas Moore
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Mediterranean places. the quality of life is solid.
34 upvotes
Ashley A.
wish I knew this sooner
34 upvotes
Teresa P.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from New York about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from New York about 12 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Homeless population growing downtown
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Elijah H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 32, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. average 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 32, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
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. Urban sprawl is real
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. average 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 decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
29 upvotes
Caleb Rivera
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
If you value job market, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Westside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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
Hudson Wood
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Roman C.
noted, appreciate it
14 upvotes
Stella Collins
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The public transit is genuinely improving and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (West) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness 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.
11 upvotes
raleighguy2021
bump
0 upvotes