Renting a house or apartment in Corvallis is next to impossible right now (Bend: apartments, rentals) - Oregon (OR) - City-Data Forum

OregonYeti · 01-22-2012, 07:55 PM

I've lived in Corvallis since 1983, except for a few years in Bend and 8 months in the Seattle area from 2010-2011. When I returned to Corvallis last summer, it was just about impossible to get even an "ok" place to rent. I stayed with a friend for a bit, shared an apartment for a bit just to have a place at all, and then I was lucky enough to get a nice place because I knew the landlord from before and he had one of his places open up.

Oregon State University enrollment is the highest ever, and that's what has made the rental situation next to impossible. I'm just so glad to have a nice apartment.

This is a heads-up to anyone looking to rent here, and also I'd like to hear from others about any info or experiences.

01-23-2012, 11:01 AM

Yep.

Mediocre apartments at astronomical prices - if you're lucky.

There are a few things causing it. OSU has continued to grow, creating a lot of demand for rental housing. OSU has failed to build adequate new housing. Private companies have been bogged down in years of obstructionism by no-growth residents who don't seem to understand that buying a house doesn't actually give one dictatorial control over the entire city.

There is plenty of land available and plenty of interest in developing it, but some (not sure if there are really a lot of them or if it's just a few people who are exceptionally loud) would rather have empty overgrown lots (7th), abandoned buildings (Harrison), or parks beside other parks (Witham Oaks, where even leaving most of it as a natural area isn't enough).

OregonYeti · 01-23-2012, 07:08 PM

Thanks Jason, the + on your rep came from me. OSU is just shrugging and saying it's not their problem--I say they should at least take part of the responsibility.

As far as development, I do love Corvallis and part of the reason is because it's not so open to big-box stores and developers ... but I think it's going too far here. I'm glad Home Depot is here now, and we could use a few more employers. I'm sure there are a lot of people who do like I do and go to Albany to buy some things because we don't have the same in Corvallis.

01-23-2012, 10:06 PM

Agreed. It has gone too far. While I don't want unfettered growth and its resulting problems (I moved here from a town that was about the same size as Corvallis, but which had traffic problems that would rival most major cities), it is possible to arrive at some sane midpoint that lets the town grow and lets people find jobs and housing. Corvallis has gone way too far to the other extreme and is now driving people away.

Smiled · 01-23-2012, 10:30 PM

An upturn in the economy will fix this. The other thing no one has mentioned is the large number of people who have lost/abandoned their houses and are now in the rental pool - but their houses sit until resold.

OregonYeti · 01-23-2012, 10:43 PM

An upturn in the economy will make more rentals available?

Nell Plotts · 01-24-2012, 02:22 PM

Yes, because homes won't go into forclosure and there will be more people qualified to buy a house.

OregonYeti · 01-24-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Yes, because homes won't go into forclosure and there will be more people qualified to buy a house.

We're talking long-term, then. Ok, I see the connection, and that will be good.

I still think OSU should take a more active part in this. Many of their students are having hardship because of it, too.

plainolebill · 01-25-2012, 09:38 PM

I've lived in Corvallis for 23 years now and like the small town atmosphere as well as anyone else but the student housing situation is getting out of hand. In my neighborhood a number of smaller houses have been torn down to build large single family dwellings to house students. I guess that's one way to get around the building code.

My wife and I have/are considering building a cottage behind our house to serve as a rental but I have some real apprehension about trying to get a permit.

OregonYeti · 01-25-2012, 10:26 PM

I don't trust the students to respect rental property. Many of them do, of course, but many of them don't. My kids live with their mom in a house that we own. A guy next door to them got crazy and traumatized my kids in their own home. I am really hesitant to rent out any property I own seeing how some college kids (and yes some of them are kids) have no idea how to be part of a community.