Moving to Portland from the UK for 3 months - Advice Needed (Beaverton: rental car, extended stay)

[GChadwick]

I currently live in the UK, but this summer I'm coming to Oregon to work as an Intern at Intel and I'm looking for some advice on the Portland area.

I'll be working out at Hillsboro but thought I might live around Beaverton or SW Portland. I'd like some advice on places to live (Any dodgy areas I should avoid?), if anyone knew any specific places that do short-term (3/4 month lease) furnished accommodation that'd be great.

Any other advice would be welcome as well, I've never been the US before so there's a lot I'm unsure about.

[Nell Plotts]

Oakwood Suites is a large corporate housing provider in the US, they have offerings in downtown Portland. The MAX light rail system provides transportation to Intel.

If your assignment requires a car there are several options in the Beaverton/Hillsboro area, some are individual units in apartment buildings others are extended stay hotels.

Were it me I would stay in downtown and take the MAX to Intel, parking a car there if necessary, because there are many evening and weekend activities downtown. However, your work schedule may dictate otherwise. Ask you site HR representative.

Corporate housing is not located in dodgy areas.

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by GChadwick

I currently live in the UK, but this summer I'm coming to Oregon to work as an Intern at Intel and I'm looking for some advice on the Portland area.

I'll be working out at Hillsboro but thought I might live around Beaverton or SW Portland. I'd like some advice on places to live (Any dodgy areas I should avoid?), if anyone knew any specific places that do short-term (3/4 month lease) furnished accommodation that'd be great.

Any other advice would be welcome as well, I've never been the US before so there's a lot I'm unsure about.

Hmmm, Intern, which means budget concerns....
Most likely not bringing a car to Portland from England, and a car lease for 4 months would be way outside any Intern's paycheck.....

So, you are looking for a furnished one-bedroom, West of the Willamette River or in Washington County, easy access to MAX light rail commuter train, at a modest budget?....

Got me sitting on a stump scratching my beard on that one. No clue.

May I presume you have visited the main daily newspaper, the Oregonian:
Portland & Oregon Apartments for Rent - OregonLive.com
there seems to be a few opening (albeit pricey) at the Park Plaza high rise in Portland's Cultural district downtown, inside the Portland State U. area. I don't know if any those available are furnished or not ---
Street car ride to MAX station (or walk the 3/4 mile or so), and then out to Hillsdale:
TriMet: Public Transportation for the Portland, Oregon, Metro Area

Or just take the Street car to the Pearl District for lots of urban young adult party-life.

[Discovery1]

Originally Posted by GChadwick

I currently live in the UK, but this summer I'm coming to Oregon to work as an Intern at Intel and I'm looking for some advice on the Portland area.

I'll be working out at Hillsboro but thought I might live around Beaverton or SW Portland. I'd like some advice on places to live (Any dodgy areas I should avoid?), if anyone knew any specific places that do short-term (3/4 month lease) furnished accommodation that'd be great.

Any other advice would be welcome as well, I've never been the US before so there's a lot I'm unsure about.

3 months ??? I would look for downtown and enjoy every minute of it.

[Nell Plotts]

Originally Posted by Discovery1

3 months ??? I would look for downtown and enjoy every minute of it.

Me too. The OP's assignment doubtless includes a provision for housing and Intel may have a contract with Oakwood. I doubt very much that they will ship a car - and a shipped car would have right hand drive, not suitable for our roads. Rental cars can be very reasonable if needed weekends or on a monthly basis.

The Oakwood units I noticed were in walking distance from the SW Jefferson St. Safeway grocery store. The suburban properties would require the use of a car daily.

[hamellr]

Most all the Brits I know live up off of NW 23rd.

Personally in your shoes I'd stay in Beaverton near Max, the commute to Intel (depending on which campus you're on - not all are near the train,) won't be so bad in the mornings.

[GChadwick]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Just a little bit of extra info, I'll be working at Jones Farm which looks just about walkable from a MAX stop (I've heard there's a shuttle bus as well, though don't know anything about it). Rental budget is around $900 per month maximum. I was hoping to not have to rent a car.

I had look at Oakwood suites, but they're out of my price range (They start at around $90 per day).

[Nell Plotts]

See if they will quote an extended stay rate and ask for a studio. And, remember to ask Intel if they have a contract rate. Oakwood also has locations in the silicon valley which is why I suspect they may have a contract.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by GChadwick

Thanks for all the advice so far.

Just a little bit of extra info, I'll be working at Jones Farm which looks just about walkable from a MAX stop (I've heard there's a shuttle bus as well, though don't know anything about it). Rental budget is around $900 per month maximum. I was hoping to not have to rent a car.

I had look at Oakwood suites, but they're out of my price range (They start at around $90 per day).

It's a white van, says "Intel" on it usually. Does pick ups about every 15-20 minutes. I'd contact your HR guys and ask about it specifically.

[Nell Plotts]

Eh, most of us HR "guys" are gals. That said HR has a lot of contacts they aren't afraid to leverage.