I'm a college student here and Homes are going for about $214,200 on average. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Does this match your experience? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up.
23 upvotes
24 Replies
Nevaeh Williams
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
39 upvotes
Joshua Hall
I've been living here for 8 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The housing market is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
39 upvotes
Autumn K.
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great Italian places. it exceeded my expectations.
39 upvotes
Victoria Gonzalez
I'm a physical therapist and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
39 upvotes
Gabriella Ramos
this is the way
38 upvotes
Bennett Johnson
noted, appreciate it
38 upvotes
Eleanor M.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
portland_julian
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
33 upvotes
proud_gabriella67
honestly same experience here
32 upvotes
Henry Phillips
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in North. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in government. If you're in tech you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
portlandlife2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 33, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Westside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Affordable housing options
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for young professionals. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Nashville, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
30 upvotes
Sarah
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Austin about 10 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Hope this helps!.
25 upvotes
Evelyn Allen
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
23 upvotes
Delilah Reyes
yeah no that's not right
20 upvotes
Caroline Garcia
interesting, hadn't considered that
15 upvotes
Julian Chavez
thanks for sharing
14 upvotes
Declan Kim
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
14 upvotes
Isabelle Clark
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are developing. You get used to it after the first year.
14 upvotes
Ruby Cox
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 10 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Pine Hills side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Valentina Thomas
+1
10 upvotes
Brooklyn Robinson
exactly what I was thinking
5 upvotes
Nora C.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Downtown side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
4 upvotes
Violet Castillo
This.
2 upvotes
coastal_aiden68
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 30, moved here 13 years ago from New York. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The pet-friendliness situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for retirees. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- East: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$70K 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.
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