Looking to rent in Portland starting in June 16 (Beaverton, Hillsboro: extended stay, apartments)

[pete6423]

Hi,

I will be moving to Portland mid May and I was looking for some advice on rent timeline, best places to live at in your mid-20s, commute time etc. I will be working in Hillsboro but would prefer to live somewhere on the west side of Portland (North West, Goose Hollow, Downtown etc.). My budget is between $1200-$1500 and I am looking for a one bedroom apartment.

1) What are my chances of finding an apartment quickly on the spot (~1 week) if I were to arrive in the city mid May?
2) Alternatively when should I be starting to contact landlords about a lease? Or is it advisable to use an agent?
3) Even though I will have a car, I would consider taking public transportation to work. Is this recommendable and what's the commute like?

Thanks! (:

[bler144]

3) Where in Hillsboro are you working? The car commute is frustrating in large part because it's unpredictable. It's 15-20 minutes (exit to exit, then add time on local roads) if things are clear, but esp. in the commute home that will rarely be the case. 40 minutes one day then an hour the next is probably going to be more realistic, with the occasional run that's longer still.

2) Really isn't a network of agents out here like there is in other parts of the country. It's just not a thing here. You might find someone on CraigsList, I suppose, but should you trust them? Probably not. Realistically I'd start looking 3-5 weeks in advance. Generally landlords have 30 days notice of availability, so I'd probably use that as a benchmark of when to start looking as well.

1) Possible. You seem to have the cash to afford an out if that goes wrong. There's an extended stay hotel on Cornell at Tanasbourne if you try that route and it doesn't pan out. That might also give you time to decide if you really want to spend that much of your life commuting out from Goose Hollow.

[Nell Plotts]

Apartments near the Goose Hollow MAX station:

New building, good heavens their prices are high: Modera Goose Hollow Rentals - Portland, OR | Apartments.com

You could also inquire at the: Vista St. Clair Vista St. Clair Apartments ; Portland Towers Portland Towers Apartments | Apartments in Portland, OR this is a historic building with a wait list http://www.vistaavenueapartments.com/; across from the Portland Towers Apartments in Portland For Rent | 2020 BUILDING .

There are a bunch of small buildings in the neighborhood, many would qualify as historic, definitely pre WWII, with no parking. There is a large building at St. Claire & Yamhill, I don't know the name, maybe 735 St Claire. Ah, here it is: http://www.735stclair.com/

Always ask if parking is included (which it won't be), you can buy a neighborhood parking pass from the city that gives you the right to try to find a parking place on the street.

[Leisesturm]

There is a new complex built at the corner of 4th (5th?) and Main St. in Hillsboro. I would check it out. We left Hillsboro because our jobs are now in NE. From Hatfield Station to Goose Hollow is 40min - 60 min. I wouldn't do it. Especially when there are housing options in Hillsboro. There is also Orenco and Tanasbourne right on the MAX line.

[MDCB]

Seems like there is somewhat of a discouragement for the commute between the city and Hillsboro?

I, like the OP am also looking to work in Hillsboro next year...however my situation will be slightly different. Will be working 7 days on and will have 7 days off after.

I don't see the commute of 40-60 min on the Max as terrible...better than driving 30 minutes I would say...I like to feel green without driving plus it is hassle free..can read, work, etc on the way to work.

Any other opinions on the commute from a neighborhood like Goose Hollow or something on the Max line to Hillsboro?

Maybe I will just have to try it out one day I am off...

[pete6423]

Thanks everyone for the input! I just figured it would be easiest to meet young and single people in the city rather than living in the suburbs. Besides the commute though are there any other suggestions why it is better to live outside Portland if you are single and in your mid-20s?

[Nell Plotts]

Portland singles meet through activities of common interest. The park district in Washington County is a good place to start: Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) This group is very active: Bergfreunde Ski Club - Portland, Oregon The Portland Park Bureau isn't the best in the west for singles activities.

Join a club, participate in events. It won't matter where in the metro area you live. Be aware that the MAX does not operate in the wee small hours of the night.

[NWGirl74]

Originally Posted by pete6423

Besides the commute though are there any other suggestions why it is better to live outside Portland if you are single and in your mid-20s?

Affordability if you don't want a shared living situation.

As for meeting people, join the 20's/30's Awesome Stuff Meetup Group. They tend to have events on the west side. Several other groups are also west side specific, but will likely be a much older target audience than what you are looking for.

[freemkt]

Originally Posted by pete6423

Hi,

I will be moving to Portland mid May and I was looking for some advice on rent timeline, best places to live at in your mid-20s, commute time etc. I will be working in Hillsboro but would prefer to live somewhere on the west side of Portland (North West, Goose Hollow, Downtown etc.). My budget is between $1200-$1500 and I am looking for a one bedroom apartment.

1) What are my chances of finding an apartment quickly on the spot (~1 week) if I were to arrive in the city mid May?
2) Alternatively when should I be starting to contact landlords about a lease? Or is it advisable to use an agent?
3) Even though I will have a car, I would consider taking public transportation to work. Is this recommendable and what's the commute like?

Thanks! (:

NO VACANCY

1) Easy but not within that budget. If you're willing to not have a dishwasher, air conditioning, parking, etc you might be able to pull it off. I checked out some of the older places mentioned earlier and while livable, for the most part they're not exactly nice - low ceilings, lack of modern conveniences, no AC.

2) When I first moved to Portland I leased a place about two or three months before I actually moved

3) If you want to take the Max, save yourself a lot of hassle and time and live somewhere along the blue line. It's slower than driving in the morning but about the same (sometimes faster) in the evening.

Besides the commute though are there any other suggestions why it is better to live outside Portland if you are single and in your mid-20s?

Money.

Other than money and commute time, I see zero redeeming qualities to the west side suburbs. I work in Hillsboro but have never even seriously considered living there or Beaverton. Downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods are fairly expensive though, so if you don't have the money (or want a bigger/nicer place for your dollar) you might have to consider living farther out.