Rentals in Augusta (Portland: sale, condo, house)

[maine4.us]

Here is a link with multiple rental properties available.

http://augustame.areaguides.net/apartments.html?source=relo_google&s_kwcid=augusta %20for%20rent|913597871

This link should give you an idea of some of the places available.

You have to remember that Augusta is not a very big town as far as capital cities are concerned.

[angelo129]

Originally Posted by maine4.us

Here is a link with multiple rental properties available.

http://augustame.areaguides.net/apartments.html?source=relo_google&s_kwcid=augusta %20for%20rent|913597871

This link should give you an idea of some of the places available.

You have to remember that Augusta is not a very big town as far as capital cities are concerned.

Hmm. I take it from your comment that Augusta is pretty much of a black hole as far as rental properties are concerned. Those on the areaguide you listed were apartment buildings (no houses) and none of them were actually in Augusta. The nearest was fifteen miles away and the others were nearer to 30 - and none of them looked like anyplace we'd want to live.

If anybody has anything good to say about the rental market in Augusta, I'd love to hear it. We have to make a decision in the next week and, as of the information we have right now, it's going to be a reluctant no. I've lived in quite a few small cities the size of Augusta, but some of them have had a great rental market - lots of good properties - so I'm not assuming Augusta is a bust just because it's not big. But it does appear to have little to nothing available to rent (and what there is is extremely unappetizing).

[dmyankee]

Except for the Portland area, my experience is that Maine, in general is not a great rental market. There is a shortage of rentals most everywhere. We have a high rate of home ownership and it's just plain hard to find a house to rent, let alone an apartment.

Augusta area and the county seats, as well, are not like other areas of the country where rentals are concerned. Perhaps your potential employer could help steer you in the right direction.

[maine4.us]

Taking a new job in a new city always involves tradeoffs. You might love the job and not like the city or where you live. You really need to go to Augusts before you take the job and scout for yourself. Just by reading your posts, you don't seem all that enthused about the new job, and new city. I don't mean to second guess you, but moving to an area sight unseen with a new job is a gamble anywhere, and given the number of rentals you have found, you have doubts. Listen to that inner voice, and if you have doubts, forgo the job.

[cpicard]

I will offer a differing opinion.

My wife, son and I moved to Maine in November. We found a great rental house on Craigslist. 4 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, nice kitchen, porch. It was in a decent neighborhood on Murray Street. $1100 per month. As this was a transition house for us, the landlord was very accommodating and we were able to do a 6 month lease until we found a house to buy. We did consider buying the property as the landlord was willing to sell it, but found a house in Topsham instead.

Overall, the rental market wasn't bad. We did see some things that were overpriced (I don't know what your price range is), but our rental cost was fairly average compared to other properties we looked at.

Vallee RE as was suggested does offer some properties, but we found that Craigslist offered the most to look at.

[flycessna]

Call a realtor in Augusta and ask them for help finding a rental. Be choosey, there is still a ton of opportunities to rent and find something you will like. There probably is a ton of vacant homes that are for sale and are not going to sell........at least anytime soon, you should have NO problem finding a decent rental.

[puntin]

We didn't have a problem finding a rental home, but we did call a realtor. Call a local realtor, and they will be able to answer your questions about the Augusta rental market better than we can. Good luck!

[angelo129]

Originally Posted by maine4.us

Taking a new job in a new city always involves tradeoffs. You might love the job and not like the city or where you live. You really need to go to Augusts before you take the job and scout for yourself. Just by reading your posts, you don't seem all that enthused about the new job, and new city. I don't mean to second guess you, but moving to an area sight unseen with a new job is a gamble anywhere, and given the number of rentals you have found, you have doubts. Listen to that inner voice, and if you have doubts, forgo the job.

There are indeed always tradeoffs. One thing we're not willing to trade off for any job is a decent place to live. The job offer we're considering is an exceptionally good one, and we've visited Augusta before when we lived in Maine. We're familiar with the city and the neighborhoods, but never had occasion to probe into the rental market. We're very enthused about the job but are not willing to just roll the dice and hope we'll get lucky and not have to live in a motel.

[angelo129]

Originally Posted by cpicard

I will offer a differing opinion.

My wife, son and I moved to Maine in November. We found a great rental house on Craigslist. 4 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths, nice kitchen, porch. It was in a decent neighborhood on Murray Street. $1100 per month. As this was a transition house for us, the landlord was very accommodating and we were able to do a 6 month lease until we found a house to buy. We did consider buying the property as the landlord was willing to sell it, but found a house in Topsham instead.

Overall, the rental market wasn't bad. We did see some things that were overpriced (I don't know what your price range is), but our rental cost was fairly average compared to other properties we looked at.

Vallee RE as was suggested does offer some properties, but we found that Craigslist offered the most to look at.

I will check with realtors before deciding, but the comments made so far haven't been encouraging and haven't really answered my question - which I realize might be a difficult one. There's a big difference between "I got lucky and found a place" and "there were lots of great properties to choose from."

No one who has responded has said anything to suggest there are lots of rental possibilities in Augusta, as there are in the place where we now live. I could go out today and choose from any one of 50 great rental houses, even though this city is about the same size. I'd never be in the position of getting squeezed, as we were before - having a narrow time frame in which to find something and NOT finding anything. We definitely don't want to settle into a house that's for sale and be obliged to move yet again, and maybe without much notice.

Thanking all who have responded, I don't feel much encouraged at this point.

[elston]

You might want to ask the human services director where you have the job offer about housing ops. The nature of your question is vague and the answer would have to be very subjective, I dont see how people can help you. One kind person went to the trouble of checking craigs list and another person gave you a lead on a property manager. Good Luck to you, I do feel your anxiety....but if someone says "yes, lots of housing" and someone else says, "nope, hardly any". How exactly will that help you?