Thanks for everyone's advice: we found a great place to Live (Portland: apartment complex, for rent)

[nomrahj]

A few weeks ago I posted asking for advice on various areas in Portland for living/renting. Got great advice that was helpful in doing all the pre-research for the house - finding trip.

We were in Portland last week for 4 days with the goal of finding an apartment for our September move. After everything I read, I was really worried about finding a decent place in a good location at a reasonable price! I had over 50 places to contact, and at least 25 of them were either rented before I got there, or never returned my calls (so I figure they were already rented) and four appointments cancelled before we even saw the place because they rented so fast! Wow, the fast movement of the housing market really is true.

Fortunately, we got lucky on day one! One place I contacted had rented their advertised apartment, but the manager said that someone had just given notice to move out, so stop by. We did, and it was available for our September time frame (occupied, so we couldn't see the exact unit, but we were able to see two others that are vacant where people were to move in the next day). Great little 2 bedroom place, corner unit, second floor, free off street parking, and a very reasonable rent amount. Love the location in the Creston-Kenilworth district with a lot of pubs, shops and what-not within walking distance, a 20-minute bike ride into the city (according to a resident we talked to who rides into town regularly), and a couple of bus lines within blocks. It isn't the fanciest place, the kitchen is a little dated, and it's an older building, but it is a smaller apartment complex (about 30-35 units), clean, the on-site manager seems like she's pretty good to deal with, and we met a few of the residents while we were there who seem like they are mellow, friendly types.

Since we found a place the first day, we were able to explore the city for the next two days and we had a blast. There's a lot to like about the city even with some of the "weird" going on in the downtown. Love the hills, the green, and how easy it is to navigate around the different areas. I think we'll like living there very much.

Thanks again for all the great advice!! It really was very helpful.

[Nell Plotts]

Fantastic, and welcome home.

[Minervah]

Wonderful and congratulations. If I am not being too nosy, would you mind revealing what they are asking for rent or approximately what it is?

[nomrahj]

Originally Posted by Minervah

Wonderful and congratulations. If I am not being too nosy, would you mind revealing what they are asking for rent or approximately what it is?

No problem: $875 including W/S/T. We pay electric (all electric apartment).

Easily was the best all-around deal we saw in the two days of apartment touring (I think we looked at around 20 different places in NE, SE and SW). Like I said, it's not super-modern, slick, updated, but that's ok for us for the foreseeable future as we settle in and get established.

[Steve Pickering]

Weird in downtown? Where?


Welcome to the city.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by nomrahj

No problem: $875 including W/S/T. We pay electric (all electric apartment).

Easily was the best all-around deal we saw in the two days of apartment touring (I think we looked at around 20 different places in NE, SE and SW). Like I said, it's not super-modern, slick, updated, but that's ok for us for the foreseeable future as we settle in and get established.

Thank you for your reply. That is a great price. And the fact that you got to meet some tenants is really a bonus.

[classicanne]

Welcome to Portland, and good for you!

[oldtintype]

Is that an American Property Management building?

[nomrahj]

No, it's owned by a small, private developer who has about 6 different properties in the SE. We didn't look at any of the American Properties stuff at all - I got bad vibes from their advertising approach. I don't think I ever saw a photo of the interior of one of their properties that they had available, and that made me very suspicious of the quality of the apartments. I guess I figure if a landlord/owner isn't willing to put at least 1 interior photo in their ads, I have to wonder what they are hiding.

[oldtintype]

Good choice!