What part of portland can I find the best balance between affordable-apartments & public transportation access? (Gresham: rental)

[idriveabucket]

I don't care if the best place to look is considered the "ghetto". I live now in what many would consider a "ghetto crime ridden area", and am comfortable.

Anyway, I need public transportation (poor eyesight which makes it difficult to drive), but I also need to live somewhere VERY affordably in regards to the monthly rent. Does anybody know what part of Portland would be a good place to find the best balance between the two?

[philwithbeard]

Just a suggestion, not a full recommended endorsement:

Portland's Montavilla neighborhood between E Burnside and SE Stark near SE 82nd.

Several small, less than 16 units, apartments some off the main streets, rent can be as low as under $550 / mo for a 1bdr. Safeway food store in walking distance (or rather luggable distance) Taxi service by "Green Taxi Cab," a couple of decent bars with bar-burgers, and three good restaurants on SE Stark st. Two good Pizza places also. (Flying Pie, and Stark ST Pizza.)

Bus lines: To downtown #15, #20, or ride #72 north to MAX station @ 82nd street. #15 line can take you east to Green line MAX station "Main Street" by the I-205 mall (Green line for a quick ride to Clackamas Town Center Mall,) or you can catch the #12 at Gateway TC so you have a choice of Red, Blue, or Green MAX lines from Downtown. Or easy ride to Zoo.

Aside: this neighborhood is East of Mt. Tabor, so it does not have as strong a "Portland" feel about it. More 'burb feel. Major drawback, no neighborhood bank. Banks are a bus ride away; a couple of ATM machines but that is it.

Rent can be cheaper down in the 'Flats' of SE Powell and SE Foster, but you are trading off some of the features like the Academy Theatre's inexpensive tickets for 2nd run and Independent movies.

there are other neighborhoods that will suit you also.

Phil

[rainierman]

Probably the entire stretch of NE Portland right along the MAX rail line all the way to Gresham. Also N Interstate Ave along the MAX line. I also strongly recommend look at smaller older units which are not in high demand. I've seen cheap rent in very nice neighborhoods only because it's not desireable in that particular market of renters. Example: A handful of cheap rent exists in Lake Oswego because people don't really do much searching there. Like finding an awesome parking space only because nobody bothered to look near the front entrance. Good luck

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by rainierman

.... Example: A handful of cheap rent exists in Lake Oswego because people don't really do much searching there.....

To the OP:
Careful of Lake Oswego, limited public transportation for a person with bad eyesight in L.O. As pointed out, maybe bargain for rent, but if you need a car to get groceries.... and if you ain't got a car...

Due to supply and demand, apartment rents real close to grocery stores and also close a bus stop with frequent service (every 18 minutes or so) is going to raise the rental costs. This is to be expected.

Phil

[sofia76]

I would suggest the area near Barbur Blvd in SW Portland - the #12 runs down Barbur and it is a frequent bus - runs every 12 minutes during peak times and also runs very late. Barbur Blvd down to Capitol Highway is very close in to Portland. Otherwise I'd agree with the SE 82nd area, and the part of NE Portland near the Max that's around 100th and Burnside.

[CPF]

Check out the Trimet system map here: TriMet: System Map

You can see that most of the transit is on the east side of the river. The thick green/red/blue line is the light rail. Using that as a starting point, prices get lower and lower as you move east from the city center especially past the 42nd/Hollywood station. The bus lines south of the light rail tend to run more frequently.