Hey everyone, The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is pretty low. Household incomes average around $88,792 in Portland. Poverty rate is 7.1%, which is pretty low. With a population of 643K, Portland is a major city. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Am I wrong here? Any help is appreciated. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The suburbs are where most families end up. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
32 upvotes
14 Replies
Bobby T.
preach
40 upvotes
Aiden Rivera
Moved here from Baltimore about 12 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to housing market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
cool_autumn83
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
Weston Parker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Austin about 5 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Affordable housing options
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Winters are long and cold
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.
33 upvotes
John Morris
yeah no that's not right
31 upvotes
charlotte_jack
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 26, moved here 13 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Greenfield and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Four distinct seasons
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. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cultural scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Houston, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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
Hudson K.
Hot take but it's improved dramatically in recent years. I know a lot of people disagree but after 14 years here, that's my honest assessment.
25 upvotes
Isaac Smith
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
17 upvotes
Oliver Y.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
16 upvotes
Tyler M.
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
16 upvotes
charlotte_kid
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in legal. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
15 upvotes
mesalocal2020
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 7 years here, that's my honest assessment.
10 upvotes
Victoria Green
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
7 upvotes
Brooklyn Johnson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is excellent - 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. Lakewood schools are challenging. 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. Nightlife is limited. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
All Countries
