Cost of Living Question (Portland, Eugene: sales, rentals, car insurance)

[JillOBean]

I'm going to be moving to Portland sometime in the next six months. I'm very excited for the move as I've grown very tired of the New Orleans area.

When I first looked into Portland on this site (and elsewhere), I kept reading about how expensive it is to live there. So I did some research, and I'm not finding that to be the case at all.

At first sight, those cost of living calculators make it sound like housing in Portland is $$$ compared to New Orleans. I think their data must be from before the storm-- because housing here is quite comparable to Portland from what I'm seeing. I just feel like I'm missing something here. PLEASE tell me if I am.

I know the job market is in the tank all over, and I'm not concerned about finding a job. I'm doing telecommuting part-time temp work for a Portland-based law firm right now, and even their temp/telecommute pay is pretty good. I'm already working with a legal staffing agency (who got me the job) to find even a temp to hire position. I make very little as it is now-- and from every job I've looked at (and the part time one I'm doing now)... I'd be making a couple dollars an hour more in Portland. I've only been looking two weeks and things seem to be panning out.

Now... as for housing. I see many rentals that accept larger dogs (mine is 40lbs), which is fantastic. I've seen dozens of buildings that have one bedrooms listed at $500-$650 a month. These rentals don't seem to be in specific neighborhoods, but all over. Comparing it to New Orleans' rental prices... I'd pay $600-$800 here for the same thing in a decent neighborhood (since crime is such an issue here.)

Also, just by leaving Louisiana, I'd say 15-25% on my car insurance, since La. has the highest rates in the nation.

So, I guess what I'm trying to figure out is... am I really missing something here?!? What gives? I know New Orleans is not the easiest city to live in... but I'm getting a "too good" or "too easy" to be true vibe from the research I've done-- and that makes me weary. I just can't really believe that with everyone saying how expensive Portland is, that I could pay the same rent as I do here, but make a couple dollars an hour more.

Thanks for your input,

Jill

[aroseinrain]

I looked at a cost of living comparison calculator too. I think the main thing is that everything you buy might cost a few cents more in Portland (but there's no sales tax) and if you want to BUY a house it'll be more expensive. But to rent, it's about the same.

Over all, I think it's about the same. You're not crazy. I don't know where the folks in Portland are originally from, but I know that when I move there (in about 2 months) it's going to save us a few dollars a month but our standard of living will be much much better!

My mini-bio: Born in Portland, raised in Eugene, lived in SF bay for the last 15 years, moving to Portland around the end of Oct. So take it for what it's worth.

[JillOBean]

Aroseinrain,

Thank you for replying. I really was starting to feel insane after a while. Originally, I had looked into going back to SF bay area (where I'm from), but decided I would have to sacrifice too much to do so.

In all ways Portland feels like a really good fit. I don't expect to suddenly be rich or whatever personal stuff I might (might not, hehe) have to just evaporate, but overall... I think Portland is going to be a great city for me.

[aroseinrain]

The number-one reason people end up leaving the Portland area IMO is the weather. There is no way to know if you can handle the weather in Portland until you live in it for at least a year.

Good Luck!

[puerco]

JillOBean-It sounds like maybe you're meant to live in Portland. A lot of things seem to be going well for you. My best friend lived in New Orleans pre-Katrina & the rents were ridiculously cheap. It sounds like with the lose of so many homes the cost of housing has gone up.
I was born & raised in Portland. It's a really great city & has improved as it's grown. Something you can't say about most cities. I wish you the best! Let us know how you do!

[classicanne]

Jill, we moved from the Tampa Bay area a few months ago. Our cost of living is far less here than it was in Florida, but a lot depends on how one lives. Buying a house is said to be expensive, but rents are very reasonable, and we are paying probably $100-200 a month less than for a comparable townhouse in Tampa. We don't have AC, which is a major expense in Florida, and I'm sure Louisiana, too, and our electric bill is about a third, or even a fourth of what it was in Tampa. Some people say food is more expensive here, but it depends on how one eats; we are vegetarians, shop the sales, and our monthly food bill is about 25% less than it was in Florida. Like you, I telecommute for work, so I don't have much in the way of transportation costs. So for us, our cost of living is much lower by living here. Again, it all depends on one's lifestyle.

[davemess10]

I think the cost of living is a little exaggerated as well. Housing is pretty cheap, as long as you don't want to live in the city center. We have a nice 2B/1.5Ba, 900 ft with washer/dryer and fireplace for only $750. (again it's not ideal neighborhood, but not dangerous by any means) That's pretty good for most places in the US.

I have found food to be by far the biggest cost increase for me (moving from CO). The produce is probably a bit cheaper (and much better quality), but the meat here is CRAZY expensive. Even the seafood is not that cheap. Restaurants are also more expensive.

Gas is a little bit more expensive, but not crazy, and I don't really drive much anyway.

I only pay electricity and comcast. And the electricity seems pretty affordable.

Don't know if that helped at all.

[Minervah]

It really does depend upon your lifestyle. I am going to eventually move from Portland because it is just too expensive for me to live here. I haven't had a raise in 4 years but my rent keeps going up. Because I do not have a car, I have to live in an area close to everything and that comes at a price. Also I am reaching retirement age and I do NOT want to have to work full time the rest of my life just to be able to live in a certain place.

Your situation is probably very different than mine. But I am just using this as an example. You really have to factor in your salary and expenses. I don't give those calculators too much credence, I find there are too many variables.

[btheferrett]

Just moved from Dallas area and for me, it's cheaper here in Portland. Buying a house is more expensive, but renting is about the same as Dallas area. The electric bill is exponentially cheaper because you never have to run your a/c. Mine is cheaper by 80%. Groceries on the whole are more expensive, although fruits and veggies and wine are about teh same. Meat is ridiculously expensive, so I hope you're into the idea of being a vegetarian or close to it. Texas does not have a state income tax, so the subtraction of the Oregon state income tx from my paycheck is noticeable, but the low electric bill makes up for it. Car insurance is much cheaper here, and gas is very close to the same cost. Total cost of living for me went down slightly.

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by btheferrett

..... Total cost of living for me went down slightly.

I, for one, am glad to hear that.

But, I do believe your electric utility rate, or cost per unit, may also down. I don't know the Texas rates, but from what I was paying in Michigan, it is a lot lower cost per KWhr.

Phil