Can someone compare living in Denver to Portland?

Question

I am a middle school Social Studies Teacher, moving from Denver to Portland. What are living costs like? How well will I be paid as a teacher with 4 years of experience?

Answer 1

Have you already gotten your teaching license in Oregon? (Presuming you meant, Portland, Oregon). Oregon is NOT a reciprocal state, and it's often tougher than one would think to get a license.

Answer 2

Sorry... can't answer from a teacher standpoint, but I can tackle the general cost-of-living issue. Generally, they're comperable. Denver and Portland are both pretty hip cities (read: young, trendy, and somewhat more expensive than other comperably-sized cities). Portland has the added plus of being in the more desireable Northwest, which ends up bumping prices up more. Having lived in both places, I find the Oregon taxes to be unbeliveably burdensome; groceries about equal; gas, etc. more expensive thanks to full service stations. I balance that with the significantly better climate (yes, rain, but no more nosebleeds!), better culture available, better people (nicer, more welcoming, more easy-going). So, all in all, probably a bit more expensive... but worth it. By the way, if you don't already have one, buy a fleece vest. You'll fit right in.

Answer 3

It's pretty hard for teachers (or anyone, really) to find a job out here, so I don't think I'd move until I had a position, unless you're moving with a spouse who already has a job lined up. Teaching doesn't pay that well, according to my friends who are teachers. I don't know how it compares to Denver.

Answer 4

Portland would be better because Portland is more beautiful, the hills. everything! plus there is no + tax when you make a purchase! In Denver, you have like skiing, you can get that, and scenery and MORE fun things in Portland.

Answer 5

One is colder then the other.