What are some of the cooler cities to live in weather wise?

[WoodstockSchool1980]

The coast never gets hot, really. Northwestern Oregon, aside from the coast, gets in the 90's once in a while in summer, and rarely 100, maybe 1-2 times a year on average. The big difference you would probably notice is that the humidity in summer is overall much lower than where you are. That helps a LOT. I know NJ summers, and how muggy it gets, and where you are is very humid in summer too. Western Oregon summers are a breeze in comparison.

[mjmcgrath]

Glad the businesses have A/C, I could always get a window unit if I needed to, thats what I have here in my apartment in Baton Rouge and it works pretty well. How expensive would a one bedroom apartment be in Portland or surrounding suburbs?

The humidity here is killer. It was around 86 at 9 am this morning, but with 80% humidity and a feels like temp of 100! Ughhh get me outta here

[Nell Plotts]

IMHO you should budget at least $800/mo for a basic apartment in the suburbs.

Are you anticipating finding a job at an insurance agency? Ideally you should look for an apartment in the general vicinity of your job. You husband works construction so he could be working almost anywhere but I think he will find more work west of the city so if you have any choices look for your employment in that area.

[mjmcgrath]

$800 isn't too bad, we are paying about $700 for our apartment here in Baton Rouge and utilities are sky high because of high A/C costs.

I'd be looking for a job in any office setting, but would most likely get hired at an insurance agency since that is what I have the most experience in. What are the names of the neighborhoods or suburbs on the west side of the city where I should be looking for employment/housing as you suggested?

[Nell Plotts]

Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin for a start. Portland city limits extend over the hill toward Beaverton. Similarly there are unincorporated areas that direction as well.

If you have worked for an agent who represented an insurer in Oregon I recommend you start looking there.

[Harpaint]

I just looked online and saw a lot of apartments for between 700-800 (some even 2 bedroom) in the previously suggested areas. Also saw some older little houses for the same price in Forest Grove if you like a little more rural area with a Walmart and antique stores!

[WoodstockSchool1980]

Try Nuuk. It's cool.

Edit: oops it's about Oregon. Last I heard Seneca had Oregon's record low with -54.

[writon]

I would be SO happy if as hot as it got here was 90. This place is 110/90% miserable, and it gets down to almost 0F in the winter, too. i"d prefer 20-90 degree spread, and I'm going to arrange it, this coming year.

[writon]

For single folks, consider a mini-van and a little trailer, like a 6x10 (or just storage for stuff you'd have in the trailer). Rent a spot in a rural area, in somebody's pasture for a year or 2, and put the 20k that you save towards something that will make you money, (like a used 18-wheeler) instead of just giving it to landlords, banks or utility companies.