To Oregon from California? (Portland, Clackamas: apartments, renting, houses)

[K33K5]

My fiance and I have struggled with saving up enough money to move out on our own for a couple years now. We have considered moving to Oregon, probably the Portland area, to claim sanctuary from California's outrageous living expenses. I was hoping to get some insight from some locals. What's the weather like? What's the average price of a one bedroom apartment? I know I can find this across the internet, but I'd rather hear from someone who knows firsthand. Thanks!

[ThanksABunch]

Hello. I have lived here for 10 years..and can give you some insight.

Price of 1-bedroom apartment? Well..I've only rented 2-bedrooms here..but I only pay $785 for a beautiful 2-bedroom 1950s apartment with river views. Depending on the area you want, I believe you could get something nice in the 600s..although I'm sure you can get something cheaper...and definately if you can spend more, you can get an awesome 1-bedroom. There is a huge variety...from new complexes to old houses converted into apartments and plexes. You shouldn't have any trouble finding something. Explore the neighborhoods. SE is my personal favorite...but NW is really nice...and really all areas have their own unique charm.

Expenses: The biggest expense when renting an apartment will be heat. If you can find something with a fireplace, it could help keep your costs down. Also....don't think you won't need a/c in the summer. The past three summers have been HOT...and my little window a/c helped take the edge off. Many old apartments at least will have window units...but the newer complexes have central A/C these days.

Weather: Hmmm...well..it isn't california...except from July through Sept when it is gorgeous. We get a lot of clouds and drizzle here from late October until late spring/early summer, depending on the year. You'll drive yourself nuts trying to figure out this climate. Lately, we go from mid-80s and sunny to clouds and 60s..but that is typical spring in Oregon. In fact, here we are, nearly into June, and it is cloudy and cool enough that I needed a jacket on most of the day.

Weather, to me, is the only strong negative here. Many people don't see it as a negative...and it didn't stop me from enjoying my time here. So...check it out and you may be one of many who fall in love and learn to be at peace with the rain!

Good luck!

[oldtintype]

At this point, a good 1 bedroom will run in the (if you're lucky) 600s to 800 or so. You can get really really nice places for over $900-$1200 but expect to spend a good $700 for a nice place. Rents have shot up like crazy this year.

[K33K5]

Can you tell me what the surrounding towns are like? Would there be an advantage either way to moving to a suburb or the actual city of Portland?

[Carol, Oregon coast]

Originally Posted by K33K5

Can you tell me what the surrounding towns are like? Would there be an advantage either way to moving to a suburb or the actual city of Portland?

Depends on where you're working. East to west or vice-versa, you'll have to cross one of the bridges and deal with comuter traffic, which can be a pain. Closer to work, the simpler life will be!

[parasol]

Originally Posted by ThanksABunch

Expenses: The biggest expense when renting an apartment will be heat. If you can find something with a fireplace, it could help keep your costs down. Also....don't think you won't need a/c in the summer. The past three summers have been HOT...and my little window a/c helped take the edge off. Many old apartments at least will have window units...but the newer complexes have central A/C these days.

!

In your experience, do most apartments in the area not include heat?

[andtm66]

Traffic in the Portland Metro area can be a nightmare. Granted, coming from California, you may be used to that. But, I find the traffic here a lot more unnerving that anytime when I lived in San Diego. Most So. Cal. cities were built to be big ... therefore, they have the freeways built for that. Portland and the outlying areas were not built that way, so there is tremendous congestion, particularly on Hwy 217, Hwy 26, I-5 ... and even I-205 now. I-84 can be bad, too, but I have found it to be the least annoying I think.

Anyway ... living NEAR where you work would be a huge plus transportation-wise. Public transportation is really great if you're within a certain distance of downtown. I currently live in Clackamas and was working downtown ... public transportation was not an option (2-hour 1-way commute). So, I drove 11 miles and parked my car and then took the train into downtown. It took me 50-60 minutes 1-way. If you're going to work downtown, public transporation is definitely your best bet. Parking downtown is expensive ... and I've found that it actually takes me LONGER to commute if I drive now than it does with public transportation (at least into downtown).

Regarding the question about heat ... Unless you're renting an old studio apartment that has steam heat, NO, it is not typically included in your rent.

[mrscookie]

Hello fellow Californian! I just moved up here from Burbank Ca and I now actually live in Vancouver Washington which is still in the Portland metro area. We left mainly for the outrageous rents and oh yeah it's beautiful here. The only thing that concerns me sometimes and maybe some natives can weigh in here is that some people don't take too kindly to Californians up here which is why I worry when people ask me where I'm from I wonder what they're thinking. Don't let that stop you we didn't I just wanted to warn you!