Single-income family in Portland? (Gresham, Milwaukie: 2014, apartment, renting)

[dent_arthur_dent]

Where I live currently (in the UK) it is basically impossible to make ends meet without both parents working, and the frantic scramble is starting to take its toll on me and my wife, our sanity, our relationship, etc. We are hoping to find somewhere that we could live without having to feel so squeezed financially. We are both pretty well qualified/experienced in our respective fields and the jobs I have seen for us in Portland would earn either of us around $50,000 - $60,000. That strikes me as a pretty decent income, especially if you don't have expensive tastes (we don't) and don't want to live in a palace or drive a high-end car, etc. (we don't).

Is there anyone here who can comment on this from experience? Is Portland a place where a family can live decently (interpret 'decently' however you wish) on one income?

[skiffrace]

You answered your own question to some degree, and the rest is arithmetic. You surely know by know the rents and house prices here. That will be your main expense. Add utilities (discussed endlessly on another thread, but overall cheap) food (cheap as well), petrol (cost depends on how much you drive) and a 100 of odds and ends. You biggest unknown may be the children-related expenses.
But I apologize, this is not the answer you are looking for, so here is an alternative:
Yes, a family can live on single income of 50 to 60K, but won't be able to own a nice house in good area. You will need to settle for an apartment. If you want to own a house, it will be in the far suburbs (Gresham, Vancouver etc), which, based on what I read about your expectations, will diminish your quintessential "Portland Experience".
Places like Gresham or Vancouver don't look that far on the map, but the nature of the PDX roadways and traffic congestion makes them distant.

[dent_arthur_dent]

Interesting response -- thanks!

[EnricoV]

I don't think it would require "far" suburbs in order to own a less expensive house. My go-to answer is always Milwaukie, which is southeast of downtown. Close to the city, but as it's in a different county, it's less expensive, so you get more for your money. Plus, I think it's a very nice, family community. Gresham is a longer ways out, and I wouldn't do the commute to Vancouver if I didn't have to. It's awful.

[Ms_Christina]

Just make sure you are not going to move before you have a job. Do you have unique skills that an American cannot offer? Hiring outside the US is a huge expense to a company. You have to make it worth their while, especially because the US has a rather hire unemployment rate. Why would a company give you a job and not one of their own citizens? Just food for thought.

[dent_arthur_dent]

(Should've mentioned, I am a dual US/UK citizen -- and I wouldn't move without a job.)

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by dent_arthur_dent

Where I live currently (in the UK) it is basically impossible to make ends meet without both parents working, and the frantic scramble is starting to take its toll on me and my wife, our sanity, our relationship, etc.

I am certain that I have seen these very same words written by an American looking for a new start. FWIW my wife is British and in the 8 years we have known each other I have been given profound insight into the British way of life and vice versa. Bottom line, she is here because of me, and I am here only because my children are here, and since I do not have custody of them I cannot influence where they reside. You might be able to make 50K apiece in the U.S. and you probably feel like an amazing liberation but the American lack of social safety net would ensure that a greater portion of your American income go towards things you never had to give a thought to in the U.K. You also said you were hoping that two incomes would not be necessary in America. Well... judging from the posts I read here and elsewhere, the overall consensus is yes, absolutely, two incomes are needed in the U.S. to make ends meet. People leave the U.K. for America to earn six figures, or better, less than that and it is not worth it. They might also do it for the adventure, that doesn't sound like you. Most Brits don't imagine for a minute that American style economics are actually superior to that the U.K. or Europe!

H

[oldtintype]

Obviously London vs. Portland is very different but plug your town in and compare it to Portland:
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
It gives you an idea of what the difference is.

[Sondeera]

We're moving to PDX with our three children and are going to be living off of $60K for at least the first year, renting a home under $1400K. I think if you can buy, you can definitely do it. Keep in mind you will get to deduct your mortgage interest from your taxes. Also, if your employer has high cost health insurance, you can opt out and buy insurance on the open market starting in January 2014. We're gapping our health insurance with private insurance for three months, and then joining the marketplace because my husband's employer only offers a terrible PPO at $900/mo. for the family that covers little and high high copays. Otherwise, we plan on buying in bulk through a food buying club, cooking ahead, stringently limiting eating out and taking advantage of the free museums, homeschooling events, co-op preschools, libraries, and community events the city offers. It's taken careful planning, but even at the modest $60K income we will have several months' worth of expenses saved up in case of shortage and will work towards a down payment for buying our own home in two years' time.

Like you, we are seeking to extract ourselves from the insanity of the dual income household ratrace. We would much rather do without material things and enjoy our lives, especially while our children are young and need us so.

Best of luck to you!

[Ms_Christina]

Sorry, I saw the UK and jumped to conclusions. My apologies.