Hey everyone, I work in hospitality and Household incomes average around $84,563 in South Portland. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Has anyone dealt with this? Thanks for reading.
6 upvotes
15 Replies
Sebastian H.
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
39 upvotes
Michael C.
Moved here from San Diego about 10 years ago. I love the pace of life here. Still getting used to dating scene but Feel free to reach out with questions..
32 upvotes
Victoria Scott
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Hope this helps!.
30 upvotes
Emily Ortiz
glad someone said it
26 upvotes
Silas Nguyen
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
25 upvotes
William Brooks
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The cultural scene is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
22 upvotes
Kennedy
As someone who grew up here, it was the best decision I ever made. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much affordable but now it's solid.
19 upvotes
Emily S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Chicago about 3 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Amelia
Moved here last year, no regrets.
15 upvotes
Noah P.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Carter Baker
following this thread
12 upvotes
lake_serenity17
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is average and there's always something going on.
5 upvotes
Connor Collins
I've lived in Downtown for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Four distinct seasons
- The public transit scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
minneapolis_violet
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 39, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Fairview and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for remote workers. underrated 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 Austin, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K 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.
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