I think it largely depends on the vibe you are more into. I moved down here a year ago and live in NW, a block of Burnside and 21st, and love it. I am more a city guy and sometimes the east side feels a bit slow for me. I love being able to walk anywhere on this side of the river and enjoy feeling more in the city, a feeling I don't get on the east side. NW isn't as yuppie as the Pearl, but you do notice it here sometimes. A lot of times, too, it seems like it is more of a bright and tunnel crowd. I just sort of ignore it. The good stuff far outweighs the bad. The same can be said for some of the east side neighborhoods, where instead of yuppies there are hipsters. Again, you notice it, but not enough for it to outweigh all the cool stuff to do in those neighborhoods too.
I definitely like the east side neighborhoods, and I suspect someday I will end up living over there. Hawthorne, Belmont, and Division are all pretty cool. I like Alberta ok right now. It is a little bit too long/sparse for me right now, but as someone said, it is getting denser and denser, and they have some good restaurants over there, and can see really liking it as it fills in more.
My favorite neighborhood on the east side is probably Mississippi and if I were to move over there right now, that is probably where I would end up. Definitely great vibe, as someone mentioned walkable to light rail, and Flavor spot, which IMO is the best food cart in the city (granted, there are like 400 of them). I would probably eat their waffles everyday if I could walk to it.
I would say visit and check check out each neighborhood for awhile. Spend a day or two around the city. Each neighborhood has a really distinct feel and you will find what suits you best.
I can't say enough about how much I love NW, though. Parking can be a bitch at times, but the access to good bars, restaurants, and fun stuff to do (PGE Park - thirsty thursdays, washington and forest park, plus all of the Pearl/Downtown/Old town) is amazing.
To add a bit more, pricing wise, I live in a 1400 sf 3 bd/1 bath for $1350/month. It is pretty good for the neighborhood, though. I am probably going to be moving out into a one bedroom soon here, and most are around $850-1100/month it seems. Most two bedrooms seem to range from around $1100-1400. But it all depends, as there is definitely deals to be had. Our apartment was just been redone, new floors, etc, when we moved in and we got a great deal on it.
Last edited by iggyskier; Jun 3, 2009 at 12:22 AM.
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