I loved Portland - how much would it cost to live there?

[rzzzz]

ok

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by muffincake

I visited Portland and I loved it, for a lot of reasons. If I wanted to live in the area around southwest Portland, the Pearl District and downtown, how much would that cost?

In terms of my living conditions, I'd live alone and I definitely tend to live in nicer places -- a bit newer or at least well-maintained with updated appliances. Not on the swanky end of things, but definitely decent. I'm not the type who is willing to save a few hundreds buck by living somewhere kind of shady. Usually I live in big corporate-owned apartment buildings -- preferably a high rise -- not a random house owned by some guy.

I paid similar rent in Chicago, Boston and Sacramento, which was about $1400 a month for either a one-bedroom or a studio apartment. Would Portland be any cheaper than that? I will be able to move wherever I want so the prospect of saving money while getting the city lifestyle I want is appealing to me.

Right now, my frontrunner is Chicago, but I'm having a hard time dismissing the crazy idea of going to Portland, even though I've never lived there and don't know anyone there. My first step is deciding if it makes sense economically.

If I were you I would pick Chicago if it is your front runner, I am guessing you would be able to line up a job there and possibly have friends that are in Chicago. Both are definitely great options, and the great thing about Chicago is you should be able to afford to take trips to Portland if you like from time to time to get away from the cold or heat and enjoy what Portland has to offer.

As for moving here, $1400 would get you a nice place in Portland, so that isn't something I would worry too much about.