How is this area for buying a house? Is it safe or sketchy? (Portland: real estate, rental)

[dregoinplaces]

Looking at a house in this area, but I’m not super familiar with it. Is it cool or should I look elsewhere?

[EasyBeezy]

It's kind of an in-between area. Literally every block you get closer to 82nd is noticeably worse than the last. The housing stock itself is OK, and you would have decent, hardworking, salt of the earth neighbors. But the people wandering around on the streets might give you pause. The upside is definitely that you are within easy walking distance to some cool bars, restaurants, and shops in Montavilla along Stark.

[Nell Plotts]

I agree with EasyBeezy

[StealthRabbit]

This $550k home (2bd+1bth ~ 100yo) is available there and surrounded by $650k - $880k homes.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6...53965841_zpid/

Probably a decent neighborhood and closer to Mt Tabor than Montavilla, but each are walkable / ez bus commute.
Good choice of areas. and handly enough to get out of town (PDX or Columbia Gorge)

Personally, I would rent. Seems rents are about 1/2 the expense of buying. (I.e. if I pay $500k for a home, I would have to be able to rent it for $5k / month to bother investing my capital in such a home, otherwise, I invest my home $$ into a positive cash flowing property (anywhere USA) and rent my own place where I must live ~ $2000 in that market..)

This one in same zip appears to be a better value...(additional rental unit(?)) but you must decide your priorities and good NEIGHBORS make all the difference! Shop and interview exhaustively.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...53876869_zpid/

[jamesblazens]

Sketchy and massively overvalued. Houses are old and run down. Should cost $300k or less.

[dregoinplaces]

Originally Posted by jamesblazens

Sketchy and massively overvalued. Houses are old and run down. Should cost $300k or less.

Would you say that Milwaukie is a better option? Or is it about the same?

[EasyBeezy]

Originally Posted by dregoinplaces

Would you say that Milwaukie is a better option? Or is it about the same?

I would take the previous message with a grain of salt. Portland has it's haters. Saying houses in Montavilla should cost under $300,000 is not remotely realistic.

That said, I live in Milwaukie. It is a better option. It's cleaner, safer, and closer to the center of town. However, the secret is out and the real estate in Milwaukie is appreciating rapidly. It isn't the bargain it used to be.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by dregoinplaces

Would you say that Milwaukie is a better option? Or is it about the same?

Depends on your needs and priorities, and future plans.
(5) very loyal to Portland coworkers moved their families to Vancouver recently.

Most kept their Portland homes, with hopes of eventually returning, after the current social situation has reversed. (If ever)

[ccjarider]

Originally Posted by EasyBeezy

I would take the previous message with a grain of salt. Portland has it's haters. Saying houses in Montavilla should cost under $300,000 is not remotely realistic.

That said, I live in Milwaukie. It is a better option. It's cleaner, safer, and closer to the center of town. However, the secret is out and the real estate in Milwaukie is appreciating rapidly. It isn't the bargain it used to be.

Agree on the Milwaukie comment.


I personally never understand the draw of living/owning in Portland proper.
Prices seem unreasonable for what you get compared to alternatives; plus all the added burdens of city/county costs, supporting the insanity etc. Just do not get it.


I admit that I must be in the minority as places do seem to move inside Portland - for reasons that escape me.

[jamesblazens]

Milwaukie is slightly better and massively overvalued. With interest rates over 8%, I expect Portland will experience a deep dive in real estate values. At least to pre-Covid levels or -30%.