Just graduated, wanting to move to portland, info on costs (how much, neighborhood)

[dan_williams]

My friend and I are looking to get out of Lancaster, Ohio and we are thinking of moving to Portland.....we just need some information if anyone can help. What is minimum wage out there? How much is cost of living? Any idea of how much we might need to save before comming out? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Dan

[Leisesturm]

I imagine you could get that information from the state or city profile directly. In any case it is more than $7/hr and less than $8/hr possibly as much as $7.50/hr. Still, if you are from a mid-western city like Lancaster, OH you won't find Portland cheap. Two minimum wage incomes might pull it off if you both are really disciplined about low impact living, if such can be called living. In a place like Portland if you can learn to enjoy the natural offerings and the free things of which there must be a supply you can devote the majority of your income to housing and food. Probably you need three months living expenses between you, that is probably in the neighborhood of $3K. Then you need an exit strategy (aka Plan B) just in case. That might be another three months living expenses or someplace where you have family. In the title of your post it said 'graduate'. High School? College? Makes a difference. Good luck.

H

[oldtintype]

Minimum wage is $7.95. Won't go far though!

[dan_williams]

high school graduate, already got 2k saved up