Salem, OR Reviews

Depends on your idea of perfect - 3/16/2023
After reading the reviews here, I had to come write my own. The problem I had with most of the reviews is that most were very opinion-based and seemed to assume everyone is the same as them. So I wanted to try and give an unbiased view (as much as possible) for people looking to move here.

I moved from Arizona to Oregon 33 yrs ago and have lived in Salem for the past 29 yrs. I’m not going to list pros and cons because they change based on a person’s particular views. Whether you’ll like living in Salem depends on what you enjoy and what’s important to you.

Politically, the state as a whole is very liberal and has liberal policies. Salem is in the middle politically but is the state capital. Salem is divided by the Willamette River. A large river that flows from Eugene, through Salem, and ends in Portland. This river provides a lot of recreation, especially in summer. There are many parks in Salem/Keizer that border the river providing access to recreation Read More

Beautiful, ideally located, but costly & insular - 9/16/2020
Moved here approx. 4 years ago from SW Michigan, but I've lived in 9 other cities & 5 other states. Salem is a very manageable sized city, with tons of parks, diverse restaurants, Saturday market, festivals, public transportation, etc., plus a beautiful capital building and (Willamette) university downtown. It's ideally located for access to the coast, mountains, Portland and Eugene, with beautiful trees, hills & mountain views. Weather is warm (70s-90s) & totally dry in the summer (but always cools off at night!), variable sun & rain in spring & fall, and rainy & cool (20s - 40s) in winter. Politically, it's liberal for the country, but conservative for Oregon. Financially, it's about 10th lowest for OR, but expensive nationally (avg. home is approx. 284K ).

Like many OR cities outside of Portland, there is an interesting cultural mix of long-timers & newcomers, that impacts business services, neighborhoods, workplaces, and politics. This shows as a certain lack of Read More

The best place to live - 1/17/2020
I'm a native 5th generation Oregonian, so bear in mind that I was born with webs between my toes! Anyway, I used to think it rained too much when I was young. Then I went out into the world (military) and saw it all. I got smart and moved back with my native Californian husband, who never looked back. It does rain a lot. You learn to do things in the rain--especially since it's rarely--rarely--too cold to get out in it! We live rurally and the beauty is unparalleled. The summers are truly the best on the planet. There are certainly some pretty scuzzy parts of town. Historic downtown Salem needs more TLC for sure. A lot of homeless but there are many more in every city in California, and in Portland. There are more things to do in town than when I used to live here (as the previous reviewer pointed out), but it still has a way to go before it's Read More

We absolutely love it here! - 1/4/2020
We love this city! We moved here from Indianapolis Indiana 5 years ago. It is an hour to Portland, a little over an hour to Eugene, an hour to the coast or the mountains. Silver Falls is nearby. It has everything you need but not the heavy traffic and high home prices in Portland. It’s affordable here. The Gilbert Children’s museum is awesome, the Riverwalk Park, and the Carousel. The KROC center is totally awesome for families and individuals too. We love the Saturday market. We live in West Salem. The brand new Goodwill store has a lot of high quality merchandise to browse through on rainy days. A brand new YMCA is currently under construction nearby and downtown Salem is right over the bridge. Lots of wineries and gardening/nurseries nearby. It rains in the winter but we don’t mind at all! It’s much better than snow, and it’s sunny all summer. The only drawback is the high amount of homeless people, but it’s not as bad as Portland or Read More

Nothing but crime and homeless people. - 1/3/2020
The crime here is rampant. Completely out of control. There are also homeless everywhere and the city is not helping them. The weather is miserable nine months of the year. Read More

Rain and grey skies... That's Salem - 4/20/2019
Moved here five years ago for work. It was great at first but the rain and gray skies eventually become very depressing. If it's not raining the sky is grey and ugly. Summers are great but that is only for three months. Salem itself has a lot of parks and rivers but not much else. Very boring town for events and outings.  Read More

Don't like Salem? Consider - 3/18/2015
I agree with the point that Salem is not for everyone but it could be worse. Not just worse, a lot worse.

I've lived in Arizona all my life. That said, let me tell you some things that I've noticed visiting Salem several times. The last few times I visited the grocery store there I was asked if I would like assistance out with my groceries. The last time someone in Arizona asked me that was twenty years ago. Everyone stops for you in parking lots to let you cross. Do that in Arizona or California, you're as good as dead. Crime is somewhat high in Salem. However, not anywhere near most cities across the nation. Also, everyone tries to talk to you. In my home state everyone is not friendly like in Salem or Oregon.

The things that I like most about in Salem or Oregon, I guess requires some attention and maturity. Let me explain. Theres tons to do there like hiking, fishing, festivals, events, breweries, wine tasting, boating, beaches the list goes on. I can Read More

Weather - 12/27/2014
Salem has very consistent weather throughout the year. Quite a bit of fog in the winter, and some rain, and little if any snow.  Read More

Prisons - 5/25/2013
Someone on this site commented that they didn't understand why there were so many prisons in Salem. I had a business in the Salem (outlying area) and knowing what I know today, I never would have opened it in this area. I read some time ago, that when the Oregon Constitution was written, it was mandated that all the prisons be located in the Capitol City of Salem. As a result the poor settled in Marion County. FORTUNATELY The trend is to locate new prisons in different areas.Salem has said that it has done its share in the past and other communities need to take on the responsibility or share in having prisons located in their area. So over time there will be fewer prisons in Salem. More businesses are locating here giving the city a more diversified climate. So now you know :0)  Read More

We are moving to Salem - 11/14/2011
Hi, we are moving to Salem next year, sight unseen and I was wanting to know what parts of Salem are the good neighborhoods and where the bad neighborhoods are as we have young children. Also can anyone tell me which schools are the better ones?  Read More