Hi all, I'm originally from Portland and Median household income is $51,642, which feels on the lower side for the area. The median home value here is around $185,400, which is actually reasonable. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. What do you all think?
43 upvotes
20 Replies
Luca B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Aiden Garcia
it depends on the neighborhood
39 upvotes
Carter Williams
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 58, moved here 12 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Homeless population growing downtown
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The cost of living situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
36 upvotes
true_ryan40
I've lived in Eastside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
32 upvotes
Charlotte L.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 44, moved here 9 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Uptown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: 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 Tampa, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$140K 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.
22 upvotes
Leah G.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 11 years here, that's my honest assessment.
21 upvotes
Jeremiah Ramirez
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
19 upvotes
David G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is pet-friendliness. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
19 upvotes
Caroline
My experience has been mostly positive. it was the best decision I ever made. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Paisley Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 2 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. 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 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. 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. Winters are long and cold. Not very walkable outside downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Cheryl R.
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
13 upvotes
Kennedy W.
I've been living here for 5 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 Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Bella W.
great question, following
10 upvotes
Parker Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Denver 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 Cedar Grove. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in marketing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Brielle Chavez
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
5 upvotes
Eric L.
I've lived in Westside for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The job market scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Hope this helps!.
4 upvotes
Madeline Anderson
Can confirm, been here 9 years.
4 upvotes
Caleb Cooper
same here
3 upvotes
Emilia F.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 4 years. Moved from San Francisco for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are improving. 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. Far from beaches/mountains. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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