Moving to Portland and having problems (apartment complexes, rentals, movers)
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My girlfriend and I are moving to Portland on the 27th of September from Denver, CO, and have thoroughly planned out the move, including hiring a moving company to ship our stuff out to portland. however, we have run into a major problem with the move. Both of us are in professional fields (I work in IT and she in Civil Rights for the mentally ill), have very good credit (amazing credit scores actually), and have a good bit of savings. Although we are planning to wait to seek employment when we arrive, money is not really an issue.
The problem is that we are having a heck of a time securing a rental in Portland. It seems that all the landlords and agencies we have contacted seem extremely leery about renting to persons from out-of-state. Its getting close to our move date and we still haven't been able to sign a lease. Like I mentioned above, we have excellent credit and rental references, yet the ebst luck we have had for securing rentals is in seedier areas. I am beginning to think that we might have to stay in an extending stay hotel or the like and look for a rental AFTER we get to Portland, not the other way around.
What gives? Are we doing or saying something wrong? Are Portland landlords that nervous about out-of-state tenants, even ones with good work histories, credit, savings, etc?
When my wife and I moved to the Portland area, we left our possessions with family members out of town (though this could easily have been a storage unit), posted to Craig's List our situation (our occupations and that we were looking for a short term shared rental) and were contacted almost immediately by multiple parties. This was after pursuing multiple advertisements for rentals and not finding something we were happy about.
I suggest posting to craig's list a housing "resume" of sorts and see if a potential landlord or current tenants might find you!
My girlfriend and I are moving to Portland on the 27th of September from Denver, CO, and have thoroughly planned out the move, including hiring a moving company to ship our stuff out to portland. however, we have run into a major problem with the move. Both of us are in professional fields (I work in IT and she in Civil Rights for the mentally ill), have very good credit (amazing credit scores actually), and have a good bit of savings. Although we are planning to wait to seek employment when we arrive, money is not really an issue.
The problem is that we are having a heck of a time securing a rental in Portland. It seems that all the landlords and agencies we have contacted seem extremely leery about renting to persons from out-of-state. Its getting close to our move date and we still haven't been able to sign a lease. Like I mentioned above, we have excellent credit and rental references, yet the ebst luck we have had for securing rentals is in seedier areas. I am beginning to think that we might have to stay in an extending stay hotel or the like and look for a rental AFTER we get to Portland, not the other way around.
What gives? Are we doing or saying something wrong? Are Portland landlords that nervous about out-of-state tenants, even ones with good work histories, credit, savings, etc?
You're not alone many people have been having the same problems. I have read countless experiences from "working professionals/good credit) and having problems renting apartments etc... I haven't been there but find it very disturbing. The same situation applies to the job market, apparently the city wants to have you there before anything takes place. I suggest you bypass all of the major property rental companies and post ads asking to rent a bedroom in "private home" residence. These situations are less stressful and you cut a lot of red tape. In the end the ONLY thing people are concerned with is money and that you won't cause them a loss. What can I say that's America for you..... Another option may be to look through the Oregon paper online as a supplement. You're not doing anything wrong, you're just living in a screwed up country with a twisted culture that's all. Everything that is "supposed" to come easy turns in to a major hassle. I've had close friends who experienced what you did, myself I would never put up with that. It would be a 5 second conversation....Here's my money, where's my apartment? If we start getting in to politics, I'm gone, your loss of my business, so long.......
You have to find good people to deal with, it's very hard but they're out there. Keep playing until you land the right situation
Thanks everyone so far for the speedy responses. I have been on the phone every day since Monday with absolutely no luck so far about getting a lease. I am beginning to believe that this move is a BIG MISTAKE. We have exactly two weeks before the movers arrive (and this was booked last month in August), and have yet to find a place. Suffice to say that we are becoming very discouraged about the entire matter. I am sure Portland is a great town (that's why I wanted to move there in the first place), but the housing situation does not lend itself to being friendly. I am almost at my wits end in this matter. I think I am going to be forced to move into a short-term housing - like a hotel.
Something is terribly broken if this turns out to be the case.
Thanks everyone so far for the speedy responses. I have been on the phone every day since Monday with absolutely no luck so far about getting a lease. I am beginning to believe that this move is a BIG MISTAKE. We have exactly two weeks before the movers arrive (and this was booked last month in August), and have yet to find a place. Suffice to say that we are becoming very discouraged about the entire matter. I am sure Portland is a great town (that's why I wanted to move there in the first place), but the housing situation does not lend itself to being friendly. I am almost at my wits end in this matter. I think I am going to be forced to move into a short-term housing - like a hotel.
Something is terribly broken if this turns out to be the case.
If money isn't a major issue, rent a cheap hotel room downtown Portland then go through the paper and meet with people who are renting out rooms in their homes. Have you checked in to Craigslist and Oregonian? It's very sad to hear you struggling like this as renting a place should come easy.
Thanks everyone so far for the speedy responses. I have been on the phone every day since Monday with absolutely no luck so far about getting a lease. I am beginning to believe that this move is a BIG MISTAKE. We have exactly two weeks before the movers arrive (and this was booked last month in August), and have yet to find a place. Suffice to say that we are becoming very discouraged about the entire matter. I am sure Portland is a great town (that's why I wanted to move there in the first place), but the housing situation does not lend itself to being friendly. I am almost at my wits end in this matter. I think I am going to be forced to move into a short-term housing - like a hotel.
Something is terribly broken if this turns out to be the case.
Just a thought, If money is okay for you and your credit is good and you are in a stable relationship, jobs history and not an axe murderer..
Why not fly there (one of you) over a weekend (maybe 300 dollars round trip and 2 1/2 hour flight), rent a car, get a rental mag, stay at Motel 6 and find an apartment? They will rent to you if you have varifiable history in Denver and a good credit rating (like anybody...even living in town) on the spot. They just want you to "be there" and see the place so there is little cofusion when you arrive...plus then you are not "surprised" to find yourself in an area that is far from everything, but the webpage makes it sound centrally located. This may be a good investment in your happiness...2 weeks is coming fast. And all the money you would spend on "short term" or hotels would be a wash to just getting on a quick plane with all your paperwork, paystubs, bank statements etc...going to PDX, and setting up residence before the move. plus...Stress is lowered...priceless.
I think in general this would happen anywhere, to anyone and has little to do with the specifics...trying to get a job in a city you do not reside in is equally as big of a pain. I dont think its really a huge character flaw of society, but just smart business. You are not the first person to do this, and most likely they (the apartments or jobs) have been burned, so they are cautious....cant blame them. Some people are not who they claim to be...I mean you wouldnt buy a car without driving it first, over the phone? Why would an apartment rent to someone over the phone or internet?
I dont work for the apartment industry...and I sympathize, I have had the same issues before...Dont even get me started about renting apartments in Tokyo being "gaijin"....wow, can you say stool sample and racism...whoa!!
Good Luck, It has nothing to do with Portland or any other grand conspiracy...Just S.O.P....which can be a *****!!
That's exactly what we did--I came up a few weeks early, spent two harried days looking for a place, then we moved up a few weeks later. There's no way we would have gotten the place we did if I hadn't shown up in person...
That's exactly what we did--I came up a few weeks early, spent two harried days looking for a place, then we moved up a few weeks later. There's no way we would have gotten the place we did if I hadn't shown up in person...
That's what I was thinking and plan to do also. I also have to SEE the place - not just from a picture (pictures can hide a lot and I am also looking at the ratings of different apartment complexes and see what tenants have to say about the place) and walk around the area and get a feel for it - even if I am renting temporarily. It will be worth the extra trip to fly in beforehand and know I have a place when I make the move.
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