I travel for work but Portland is home base. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.
Crime rate at 544.6/100K residents is something to {crime_feel}. A friend just bought in St. Johns for K and I'm not sure if that was smart.
What I like:
- Four seasons
- Good airport
- Strong local businesses
- Good internet
What I don't:
- Rising rent
- Hard to date here
I feel like Portland is becoming more expensive without getting better. Public transit is basically useless - you'll want a car.
What's your experience been?
33 upvotes
31 Replies
raised_genesis21
Moved here from Omaha and I'd say The parks system here is underrated.. The dating scene here is improving compared to what I'm used to.
49 upvotes
evelyn_papa
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a travel nurse in Foster-Powell. Been here since 2016. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable..
Neighborhood-wise, Foster-Powell has really changed in the past few years. Pearl District is the up-and-coming spot right now. Woodstock is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for real estate: pretty good. For real estate: pricey.
The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.
49 upvotes
emmett_chef
This right here.
45 upvotes
Aiden N.
Born here, left for 10 years, came back. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go.. The city has transformed a lot.
43 upvotes
Chloe Jones
Born here, left for 10 years, came back. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. The city has shifted a lot.
43 upvotes
Vivian Ross
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Montavilla vs Pearl District: completely different vibes. Montavilla is more pretty good with a younger crowd and nightlife. Pearl District is up-and-coming and better for singles.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Montavilla. In Pearl District you can find stuff for /mo.
People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.
43 upvotes
Logan W.
I've been in Irvington for 9 years and The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.
41 upvotes
James Jackson
Night shift worker - Portland at 3am is great. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here..
40 upvotes
Justin J.
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to St. Johns from St. Louis about 4 years ago. Initially everything felt unfamiliar. But after settling in, People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out St. Johns and Hawthorne for housing
- Explore beyond the popular neighborhoods
- Check out the local brewery scene
The biggest adjustment was transit. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.. Overall I'd give Portland a 9/10 for couples.
39 upvotes
Alice C.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a single guy in Laurelhurst. Been here since 2019. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable..
Neighborhood-wise, Laurelhurst has really grown in the past few years. Sunnyside is the up-and-coming spot right now. Cully is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for government: pretty good. For construction: quiet.
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.
DM me if you want more details.
35 upvotes
true_landon21
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive Portland guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Cully: walkable, great restaurants, young crowd
- Pearl District: family-friendly with good parks
Tier 2 (best value):
- Hawthorne: underrated and affordable
- Foster-Powell: quiet but close to everything
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: great compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. Portland is lively but it's not for everyone. If you value nature over public transit, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Chicago.
35 upvotes
Nathan Collins
My experience has been different actually. I found that I feel like {city} is becoming more expensive without getting better.. Maybe it depends on which part of Portland you're in.
29 upvotes
Amelia Brooks
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Sellwood vs Division: completely different vibes. Sellwood is more excellent with trendy restaurants and coffee shops. Division is affordable and better for families.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Sellwood. In Division you can find stuff for /mo.
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.
28 upvotes
cool_autumn83
Facts.
27 upvotes
Oliver G.
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in Portland is pretty good. Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from..
25 upvotes
mountain_thomas50
Depends on the neighborhood.
22 upvotes
Jameson F.
Worked in marketing here for 3 years. I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. The market is hit or miss right now if you're in that field.
22 upvotes
Stella Ortiz
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Sunnyside, Alberta Arts, and currently in Montavilla. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Sunnyside: /mo for a 2-bed
- Alberta Arts: about /mo
- Montavilla: /mo but underrated
The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Portland really clicks.
18 upvotes
Valentina Hill
It's gotten worse recently.
18 upvotes
Ellie Lee
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Portland.
Background: 25, remote worker, moved from Baltimore 12 years ago for quality of life. Currently in Division.
**Housing:**
The market is improving right now. We went with Division because great school district. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Woodstock - it's established and the value is better.
**Work:**
tech jobs are stable here. I was worried coming from Baltimore but the market is solid. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 8 months were tough. Then I found my people through a kickball league. Now I have a solid group. Portland people are welcoming once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: depends entirely on your commute route
- Dining out: decent but not world-class
- Entertainment: plenty to do on weekends
**Would I move here again?**
The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. For students, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
17 upvotes
Jack
I walk my dog through Woodstock every day and I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}.. The vibe has really evolved in the past couple years.
17 upvotes
Landon D.
Haven't experienced that personally.
17 upvotes
Harper Mendoza
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in Portland is underrated. The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}..
12 upvotes
Emily G.
Moved here from Salt Lake City and I'd say Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. The housing here is solid compared to what I'm used to.
8 upvotes
Aaron Sanchez
Homeowner in Kenton since 2021. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.. Property values have been flat which is great for equity.
7 upvotes
Jordan Nguyen
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If walkability matters most, then yeah Portland is great. But if you need mountain access, might want to look at Mississippi instead.
7 upvotes
Isabelle Miller
Just to add another data point - we moved from Indianapolis about 7 years ago. The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. No regrets so far.
7 upvotes
Ethan
As a local, yes.
3 upvotes
Maya R.
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Pearl District from San Diego about 4 years ago. Initially I was excited but nervous. But after settling in, Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Pearl District and Sunnyside for housing
- Try the farmers market on Saturday mornings
- Download the local transit app even if you drive
The biggest adjustment was food scene. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. Overall I'd give Portland a 8/10 for couples.
2 upvotes
Grace Green
Night shift worker - Portland at 3am is solid. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year..
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