Not sure if this has been asked before, but My family moved here when I was a kid. Crime rate is something to consider -Portland sits at 242.3 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is pretty low. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
18 upvotes
17 Replies
Paisley Miller
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. healthcare used to be much stable but now it's hit or miss.
38 upvotes
Reagan
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's been a really good experience overall. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
36 upvotes
Sarah Long
The food scene here is underrated. Tons of great farm-to-table places. the quality of life is solid.
32 upvotes
William C.
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The traffic is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Clara Gutierrez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in construction. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Grace Rodriguez
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I have mixed feelings honestly.
27 upvotes
Jonathan Walker
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Uptown) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Phoenix, be prepared for the culture shock. cultural scene is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
25 upvotes
Katherine Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Uptown. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
Ariana Torres
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
20 upvotes
Carter H.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 7 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is safety. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Piper Rodriguez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 9 years. Moved from Nashville for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are underrated. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Amber B.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 47, moved here 7 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Midtown and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited shopping options
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 San Francisco, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
13 upvotes
Hunter M.
Bought a house here in 2015 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
9 upvotes
Hazel Gonzalez
Used to live on the The Heights side, now on the Springfield side. Completely different vibe. it's exactly what I was looking for.
4 upvotes
Kaylee M.
noted, appreciate it
3 upvotes
Zoe J.
I work in tech here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. Happy to answer more specific questions..
2 upvotes
maverick_local
Moved here from Minneapolis about 4 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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