Tanasbourne Apartments - Living in Hillsboro - HELP (Beaverton, Forest Grove: lease, condo)

[rosman27]

I am graduating from Washington State in early May, and just accepted a job in the Beaverton / Hillsboro area. Specifically, the Tanasbourne area.

I have been reading reviews of numerous apartments in the area and I haven't found any that seem like real winners.

I was wondering if anybody had good advice or actual apartments that they knew to be good living environments in this area.

Thanks so much for your help.

[John Shaft]

What are you looking for? There's a ton of new complexes out in that area, and then some not-as-new as you circle away from Tanasbourne.

[rushenee]

I agree with John, the growth is tremendous in that area right now so you'll really need to decide if you need to be on a bus line, the max light rail line, or if you'll be driving. Traffic is fierce and you'll spend a lot of time in your car if you drive. Housing prices aren't too bad, especially if you look at some older places, but plan on spending a lot of money if you get a newer place.

Do not, by any means, sign a lease for any condo or apartment near the Willow Creek transit center, this is the most crime ridden area of Beaverton/Hillsboro and while affordable, there's a reason why. And they look cheaply made, too.

Tanasborne is just an area off the freeway, mostly a shopping mall. However, it is very close by car or by transit to Hillsboro, which is even more affordable than Beaverton. But you need to be prepared for a cultural shock as non-politically correct nicknames such as Beanertown, Hillsburrito and Foreign Grown (for Beaverton, Hillsboro and Forest Grove) have been given to these towns for a reason. The Latino population is huge, English is spoken as a second language and the culture is different. I'm not implying that it is bad, however, just not what one would expect from a state that is as lily white as Oregon.

[wohelo]

My suggestion would be to visit the Apartment Ratings (google the name) and apartment review sites and get comments on some of the apartments. You have to take some of the comments with a grain of salt but you can start your screening process that way. I am a fan of the apartments near Orenco Station. There is a Marriot Courtyard that has corporate rates for new comers and you can ask folks at breakfast what they have found. Many young people are on your path so just ask around and do some research. Best of Luck