Looking for areas with affordable rent with-in 45 minutes driving time (Portland: apartment, rentals)

[markrothermel15235]

Hello this is probably a strange question I am asking but I am moving to Portland with-in the next 13 months and I have actually 2 questions. First question is there a preferable time to move? Meaning some cities I have been to depending on the month their are more rentals available in a certain time of season. So maybe spring is best or fall? Does that make sense.

2nd Question. I am moving to Portland and do not mind commuting whatsoever (been doing this for many years) so with that being said I am looking for a house to rent no apartment. In some cities I have lived in the further you go out of the city rent is a little lower priced because most people want to live close to the city, and the Houses are not so congested (close together), maybe even rural. I do not mind and have been looking at already from Portland in a circumference of up to 45 minute one way commute to Portland.

I don't know if Portland is like that, so I am just curious. I have been looking on Craigslist and trying to put names of towns in searches but I am not sure. Ultimately once I know of some areas then I can do some searches that way.
Also I am not looking for a upscale house or upscale neighborhood as just a place to lay my head and my workers heads when I am in town. I will be renting though for the whole year and I even thought of contacting some realtors but I don't know the areas to look for as said I am willing to commute up to 45 minutes one way. Thank you in advance and I am really curious to see replies so I can search areas that way.

[markrothermel15235]

As far as areas I think I have notice Beaverton and Gresham seem to be good areas and they are with-in 45 minute drive one way but not sure. Even a country type area or rural will work around Portland. Thank you in advance.

[urbanlife78]

Nothing is really that far out in Portland. What is your price range.

[nowannamove]

There are a ton of areas within 45 minutes of downtown.

You can rent a house in the Aloha, Cornelius, Hillsboro area for cheap. You can find places with a rural feel, close to the Max line, and not pretentious.

[markrothermel15235]

Between 900.00 and 1,200.00 Price range is what I am looking for. Need a 3 to 4 bedroom house and again don't care about the condition as long as when we are in town place to lay our heads but my workers have their own rooms too.

[SETabor]

Depending on where your work site is, you may also want to consider St. Helens as well as Gresham. I think the west side (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Aloha) might be too expensive for what your looking for.

[wanderbygrace]

Remember that a $1,200 place in Portland might end up equaling a $900 place in Sandy, by the time you factor in your add'l gas, not to mention car wear/tear & traffic aggravation.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by wanderbygrace

Remember that a $1,200 place in Portland might end up equaling a $900 place in Sandy, by the time you factor in your add'l gas, not to mention car wear/tear & traffic aggravation.

True, but that large a house cannot be found in Portland for $1200. That will get you a two bedroom apartment or maybe smallish house in Portland. The OP may have to go to a suburb or farther for the amount he wants to pay for a three or four bedroom house.

[EnricoV]

There are a few listings on Padmapper out around Lents or a little further out. Not the greatest area, but a lot less expensive for the size.

[wanderbygrace]

Originally Posted by Minervah

True, but that large a house cannot be found in Portland for $1200. That will get you a two bedroom apartment or maybe smallish house in Portland. The OP may have to go to a suburb or farther for the amount he wants to pay for a three or four bedroom house.

There are several houses on CL right now for around $1,200 in PDX.

Regardless, you must take into consideration cost of transportation if you are in outlying areas. For a very distinct comparison, if you are commuting an extra 20 miles each way per day at 20mpg at $4/gallon (which is where gas is headed), that's $176 per month for a 22 day workday month. That turns that $1,000 home in Sandy into $1,176. And again - that doesn't include wear/tear or aggravation, such as this morning when US 26 was moving along at 20mph in Sandy, due to the snow/ice.