Moving to Portland - wish to rent condo in NW, Pearl or SW (Green: apartment)

[gumster]

My wife and I plan to move to Portland in mid April. We've recently retired. We'd prefer to rent a condo for a year in the NW/Pearl/SW before making a final decision about preferred location and buying a condo.

I'd like to rent a condo with patio, 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 1600-2200 sq. ft.... any suggestions about places to contact in my search?

[Nell Plotts]

Most condo documents limit rentals severely. This is because lending institutions mark up commercial vs residential mortgage loans differently.

You may be able to find a townhouse/rowhouse of the size you desire. Some are not technically condos but have a HOA that cares for common elements.

Your target neighborhoods are the Portland equivalant of a high-rent district. There are a few apartment buildings with units of that size. Portland Towers, Vista St. Clair, Trinity Place, perhaps the Belle Court may have a couple - but the best you could hope for is a small terrace.

Craigslist search today: Trinity Place, 2 br with a balcony.

Townhouse on SW Green. Very San Francisco setting, on a narrow street.

The duplex on NW Quimby is very 50s but is in a great residential location.

American Plaza there is a 3 br in one of their buildings. The building to the north tends to have less freeway noise. Lots of rentals in that complex.

There is a penthouse on SW Park Place (PM me)

I don't think you would enjoy the one on SW 10th (not as convenient as others)

The Atwater Place is a very nice building, in the South Waterfront.

There are rentals out there for you.

[gumster]

Nell,

Thank you for your response. My wife and I have been looking forward to moving to Portland for a long time. Financially we are lucky enough to be able to afford to rent a reasonable sized property (2000 sq ft + or minus) even in a relatively high rent district. Ultimately we expect to buy a condo. We prefer, first, to spend some time acclimating ourselves to living in Portland before making that purchase.

With respect to the penthouse unit that you referenced, can you tell me more?

All suggestions appreciated!

mark