I need help (Portland, Eugene, Salem: for rent, felony, house)

[bindsnblinds]

Hi I need a favor. I want someone living in either the Portland area,the Astoria area or the tri city area (Corvalis-Beaverton-Salem) to let me live with them. I will allow you to do a background check on me. I also will do all the chores until I get 2 jobs .I'd only be living with you for about a year.Please help me out. I also will start paying full rent right away (100 dollars a month).Thank you

[Rob Allen]

Among other things, you need geographic help. Corvallis, Beaverton and Salem are miles from each other. The only "Tri-City area" around here is Richland-Pasco-Kennewick, WA.

[subsound]

I can't think of an easier way to get robbed and/or taken advantage of.

On either end of the deal.

[bindsnblinds]

I know that corvalis is south of Beaverton and Salem.I meant that i group those 3 cities together not based on geography but on the fact they are the big cities south of portland.

[philwithbeard]

Ah, I presume you have tried Craigslist.com in the Rooms / Shared section under Housing....
And you know all about the tabs at the top of Craigslist.com for Portland are for the counties around Portland (Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington,....) and yes, Beaverton is regarded as a suburb of Portland, Salem and Corvallis are not suburbs of Portland.
Plus Corvallis, Salem, and Eugene all have their own Craigslist site.

But here is the my point.... Your rent offer is WAY too low for the housing market you are talking about. Even as a lodger, expect to pay at least $70.00 per week. Usual is better than $350.00 per month. You should budget, until you actually find a place, somewhere around $100.00 per week. If you find better, celebrate! You done real good finding a place lower than the market value.

Aside, some places expect you to share the utilities of a home; shared utilities will come in around $100.00 per month during winter months for many places in the city of Portland. And as you know, cell phone is on top of that.

Second point, when you read the description for roommates (house-mates, lodgers, and such on craigslist.com,) usually the ads are asking you have a work history and are steadily employed. One of the first things I noticed is it didn't sound like you have a current job, or a steady work history (I could be wrong on that, you didn't specifically address that issue.)

Employment is tough to come by in Portland, except in specific skilled fields. I really don't think jobs are more available in Corvallis, Salem, or other Oregon cities. If you do have a job lined up, you are one of the lucky ones.

[Sprightly]

Bindsnblinds, I too would recommend Craigslist and exploring as many options as possible. Good luck - remember all you need is one solution to work for you no matter how many others don't.

[hummingbird3]

I think it's realistic to find a place for $200-250/mo if you also offer services like housecleaning, yardwork/gardening, or perhaps personal assistant like for someone who is recuperating from an illness or surgery. But $100 is just too low. It means finding someone who will accept $100 out of the goodness of their heart, but most in the position to accept only $100 don't really need it - they'd just need to have compassion for someone in your position and want to help you. Most people offering a room for rent desperately need the money. The sad reality is that most people don't want anyone living in their house unless they absolutely have to.

Still, I think you may be able to find something, but it means you'll be like an indentured servant. If you can live with that you might be OK with that arrangement - for a while. Those situation tend to turn bad, and quickly. Not trying to be a pessimist - just a realist.

As for $350, you'd probably be able to find something suitable in that price range in some of the low-rent areas of Portland like Felony Flats (Johnson Creek Blvd. area) or Powell/Division Alley (East of I-205). A bit scarier, but do-able.

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by hummingbird3

...... or Powell/Division Alley (East of I-205). A bit scarier, but do-able.

Good lord, I got lost down there last fall looking for the DEQ auto testing facility. That area is high on the list of "Experienced Portland residents only, Newbies to Portland need not apply" as it were.

Not that it wasn't safe, it didn't appear to be unsafe at all. Just my impression: it was more of a Tall Glass of corn whiskey with a shot of beer, kind of neighborhood. 'Course I could be wrong.

[Mt-7]

LOL!
You guys are cracking me up, thanks

[pdxMIKEpdx]

"Good lord, I got lost down there last fall looking for the DEQ auto testing facility. That area is high on the list of "Experienced Portland residents only, Newbies to Portland need not apply" as it were.

Not that it wasn't safe, it didn't appear to be unsafe at all. Just my impression: it was more of a Tall Glass of corn whiskey with a shot of beer, kind of neighborhood. 'Course I could be wrong."



Welcome to the below 50k yearly income Portland.

Reality sucks, doesn't it. It ain't the microbrews, good food, downtown living, hip, cool, liberal, easy life, fantasy Portland, is it.

It's real life Portland.

You don't see this version of Portland (which is a large part of Portland), in the fancy Sunset magazine spreads, do you.