Possibly Transferring To Portland, Need Advice (Beaverton, Nyssa: sales, apartments, safe area)

[Nyssa]

A little background information on me: Female in my mid-twenties, currently reside in Washington D.C. Single, no kids. I work for the federal government and am possibly transferring to Portland in the near future and have a few questions:

a) It seems like Portland has a fairly decent public transit system. Is it possible to live in Portland (at least for awhile) without owning a personal vehicle? (I doubt I will have the money to buy a car right away after moving across the entire country). [I'm well used to taking groceries on public transit, hassles of transfers, etc., since I have relied exclusively on it during my time in DC]

b)I've been looking at apartments, neighborhoods, etc...What I'm really looking for is to know, which neighborhoods/areas/zipcodes are going to be good for me--I'm looking for a fairly safe area with good public transit access.

c)Cost of living in terms of Portland vs. DC area--obvious cost of living in and around DC is sky high, but I noticed that the Oregon income tax rate is 9%, twice as high, basically, as the 5% state income tax rate for [Arlington] Virginia where I currently live. I also noticed, however, that Oregon has no sales tax. In your experience, about how would the two balance each other out (or not)...Will I see my budget suffer seriously from the higher tax rate, or will it be offset for the most part by the lack of sales taxes? (I make about $48 to 50 K a year...probably will be closer to 50 once the cost of living increase goes through for the new year)

[subsound]

A) If you get into the right area, you can absolutely live without a car. It's harder to get canned food home, but that's about it. Biking is a pretty common around here, but I would be careful on the main roads...people are as blind as anywhere else.

B) Well, most areas are safe...especially compared to DC. Pearl is mostly nice away from the river, but it's really expensive. Lloyd Center has done well for us that is close to downtown (I go past the federal buildings every day) and is pretty inexpensive. The burbs are nicer areas, like Beaverton, but much farther away (closer to an hour then 20-30 minutes to commute), less public transit options, and a bit cheaper. Montgumery park is a pretty nice looking area from traveling through there alot, same with Knob Hill (ritzy as Pearl there I thinK), but I never priced what's up there.

As it's been said to me, you will have your own homeless person assigned to you when you get to Portland...and there are many replacements when he or she is not availible. China Town is where most of the missions and rescue organizations have their doors open.

C) I am not sure about the DC area, I just know the Denver area...which I think is really cheaper then both. The tax rate is one thing where it is cheaper though, where Denver had an average effective tax rate of ~12-15% sales and income tax. So if you're spending more money then it's cheaper, but if you're a big saver it might be more.

[Wicked Felina]

This is a neat site for broad cost of living comparisons. Certainly doesn't tell you specifics, but it's another piece of the puzzle!

Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed, link removed

[beatphl]

Look I don't mean to be the bad guy here and I know there are a lot of people that will share all the good about Portland. So here goes, make no mistake about it and make sure you think long and hard about your move because when you get here it will be culture shock. If you are use to the east coast it will be hard for you to be out here. You should try to come out here for at least two weeks in the winter months to get a true taste of Portland.

[Leisesturm]

Interesting. I'm used to the East Coast and I had twice as much time to really get it under my skin as the o.p. has. Moving to PDX was no problem. I can't see setting up a user ID just to make that point but thats me. I imagine Nyssa knows it will be different here maybe thats why she wants to leave DC? Two weeks is not nearly enough time to absorb how awful PDX will be in winter (not). Save your money Nyssa and step out on faith in your research or simply the faith in yourself. Good luck.

H

[subsound]

Originally Posted by beatphl

Look I don't mean to be the bad guy here and I know there are a lot of people that will share all the good about Portland. So here goes, make no mistake about it and make sure you think long and hard about your move because when you get here it will be culture shock. If you are use to the east coast it will be hard for you to be out here. You should try to come out here for at least two weeks in the winter months to get a true taste of Portland.

It's been more like growing up in Philly here then it has been in Denver, but I was a kid so I might be crazy. Every place is hard being away from what you know and the people you know. Sometimes it's good to get away from what you know when you aren't happy as well.

There are a good number of good and bad things about Portland. I don't like Portland that much myself, I came for a job and I'm looking to move back to Denver in a year, but I am very happy for the experience. I know a good number of people do, and I would say give it a try...worse comes to worse now you know.

[Lilly12103]

I have a lot in common with you, also a young mid-twenties female, no kids, transferred to PDX by my job from the MidWest. That being said, I am married and had a built-in support system via my husband (who, also is working for the federal gov't here in Portland). It would have been much harder doing it on my own. Having a job lined up will make things so much easier, and depending on where the job is you won't need a car at all. I knew where I would be working so I made sure my apt was within public transit/walking distance, and was able to sell a car- now I literally never drive anywhere. PM me if you want to chat more. I'm loving Portland, have a great group of friends out here, and compared to a Michigan winter I'm sure I can hack Portland- when they complain about the rain all the time, my first thought is "if it is raining that means it is above freezing... YES!"