Weekend 'vacation' questions... (Portland, Tigard, Lake Oswego: apartment complex, rent, condos)

[krd122]

I'll be coming out to Portland over Friday Jan. 16th and Sat. Jan 17th. Friday I'm planning on job hunting (preferrably the banking/finance field) and Saturday I'm dedicating to Apartment searches.

With that being said does anyone have any suggestions for apartments?!?!
I have a four year old daughter so of course I'm going to want somewhere safe with a good school nearby!! I'm looking to stay under $800.00 for either a one or two bedroom!?!?!?

HELP PLEASE -- only a few weeks till I'm there -- I need to make some appointments soon! Thanks in advance!!

[StealthRabbit]

Wow, no help yet? I'm certainly not an apartment guru, but...

I assume you will be working in city center, tho of course there are branch banks everywhere. (many of the suburbs may be more desirable for 'family' living). There are a couple of co-housing areas that rent a few apartments each, and single moms really like the 'community' thing of having security of knowing and interacting with neighbors and having 'built -in support' group to help share childcare needs. I think it is a good thing, and safe too. (cohousing has each family in separate homes or condos, but a community area for occasional shared meal + gardens and play area) You can search online to find the ones in Portland (I think there are 2 on the west side and 3 north or NE) Directory | The Cohousing Association of the United States

for your price range you might find something in Hollywood district (Sandy Blvd). Woodstock is probably too spendy due to proximity to Reed College, but it has a nice grade school and some decent apartment areas, possibly cheaper further from Reed Campus. Central eastside is decent and close in for quick commute.

I would try to avoid; North Portland, St Johns, East Sandy (beyond 82nd); most if not all of 82nd ave.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

The problem with your question is that most areas of Portland (except maybe north Portland) have job possibilities and both good & bad apt possibilities. Personally, I'd suggest Vancouver right across the river. Lower cost of living, same job opportunities, better and cheaper apartments...

[krd122]

Thank you for the help thus far - I greatly appreciate it!
I'll keep Vancouver in mind as it is not too far from Portland according to mapquest
My aunt who currently lives there has told me to check around Tigard/Lake Oswego/Oregon City area for living. She's pretty set on my move -- are these good areas?!?!

[Minervah]

My aunt who currently lives there has told me to check around Tigard/Lake Oswego/Oregon City area for living. She's pretty set on my move -- are these good areas?!?!

Those are nice areas but you won't find much for under $800 unless you want to live in a large noisy suburban apartment complex. Also the commute between Vancouver and Portland can be pretty frustrating time-wise.

[EnricoV]

I don't think that's necessarily true, Minervah. I'm an east-sider, and I know Oregon City/Gladstone/Milwaukie are pretty affordable. And North Clackamas has a decent school system. It's also got (in my limited experience) the easiest commute into Portland.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by krd122

Thank you for the help thus far - I greatly appreciate it!
I'll keep Vancouver in mind as it is not too far from Portland according to mapquest
My aunt who currently lives there has told me to check around Tigard/Lake Oswego/Oregon City area for living. She's pretty set on my move -- are these good areas?!?!

Lake Oswego is high rent. Oregon City & Tigard are a mixed bag.

[krd122]

So far it sounds like Oregon City may be my best bet as far as affordability and good neighborhoods/school systems?!?! Am I interpreting this right? Having an easy commute would also be a benefit as I am a rather small town girl from South Dakota - learning to get around in a big city is going to certainly be an adjustment.

[StealthRabbit]

If Oregon City is near your aunt that may be your best choice.

For keeping the most $$ and having good schools, Camas, WA would be a good choice. (10 min NE of Portland Airport, 25 min NE of Oregon City)(no income tax, if you live AND work in WA). There are lots of banks and credit unions in the area near Camas (from 164th ave east to Washougal). Check into jobs at Lacamas, Columbia, IQ, Addison Ave, plus other Credit unions and Riverview bank (headqtrs in Camas too, now in Tech center ~ Mill Plain and 172nd Ave), as well as appraisal and title companies. I would also look into working in the finance dept of local medical offices and hospitals. Folks I know like working for Adventist Medical in East Portland, and at Kaiser in Portland and Vancouver, and Vancouver medical clinic. Eventually Fisher Investments is moving its headqtrs to Camas, they employ a herd of financial folks.

I am a proponent of living near your work and keeping commute time and $$ at a minimum; to spend more of that with your family. Life is very short, and the time with your kids is precious.

Good luck, finding the right spots (Home, school, neighborhood, social contacts, and job)

I'm a prairie kid, (from a town of 381) so realize the 'culture / environmental shock'. (no more tumbleweeds for Christmas trees...)

Consider it an adventure and have a blast. (tho some times will be tough and stressful) Summers here are great, and FREE evening concerts in the parks almost every night. Children's museum, libraries, mall skating, and swimming centers were winter fun for our kids + lots of books, handmade puzzles, & play things at home (Big cardboard boxes were best); no Nintendos, no TV - poor babies

(ps... you may get more relevant info if your post was titled "Financial job, apartment, school hunt - single(?) w/child from SD")