Best and worst neighborhoods in Portage

Peyton Wilson Jan 22, 2025

bump

32 upvotes

Clara W. Feb 4, 2025

OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.

Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in engineering you might struggle.

People: Generally solid. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.

Feel free to reach out with questions..

17 upvotes

Abigail Gray Feb 3, 2025

OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a social worker, 28, moved here 12 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Greenfield and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The traffic situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$80K here.

**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.

12 upvotes