What are some good apartments in Portland? (like IN the city, not in a suburb) (Cove: car rental, rental)

[Sleepy_Kitty=^--^=2010]

I'm trying to budget for a 1 bedroom apartment in Portland. My budget is from 450-1000 dollars. Apartment should include: Central Air or Air Conditioning, Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal, Cats are allowed, Patio or Balcony. Optional things but well appreciated: Pool, Fitness Center, Clubhouse, Concierge Services...etc

I would like to have more than 750 SQFT in my apartment. No less than 700. I enjoy loft Apartments and townhomes. I would be willing to opt for a 2 bedroom for the right price.

If you'd like to as well please point out the best and safest places (low crime) in portland. Downtown is my heaven, but if it's too expensive I'd be willing to transport. Also, I own a car so I'd like to have some parking available to me..wherever I go.

[daisy326]

If you want to be downtown, plan on paying $1000 minimum to start - for a studio. You wont find a 2 bedroom for that price downtown. As far as your amenities go, you can get them but it will cost you. Especially for parking. Here is an example of price point for the things you want in an apartment:

1x1 Apartment - Washer/Dryer - A/C & Heat - Available Now! (http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/apa/1868377306.html - broken link).

[Nell Plotts]

Your other challange is the requirement for air conditioning. That limits you, in practical terms, to newer buildings where you can't open the windows, hence higher rent.

It would be wiser to find something in an older building that is shaded or has a north exposure.

There are only a few days a year where the lack of air conditioning is a comfort issue. If you can open a window (slider style) you can use one of those portable air conditioners.

[daisy326]

Nell is right - only updated, newer buildings will have A/C and those are the higher priced places to live.

[Nell Plotts]

Core area apartments usually charge separately for parking. You can often find monthly parking cheaper in a parking lot. If you only need a car now & again store your car in the boonies (but on a bus line) and use Zipcar.

This is the only apartment that I found that might meet your requirements on Craigslist. This is in the Lloyd Center area:
$925 / 1br - Reserve Your New Home Now! (Lloyd)

Date: 2010-07-31, 11:42AM PDT
Reply to: hous-rdukg-1873554220@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]



Searching for Portland, Oregon Apartments has just gotten easier. Enter the courtyard. Hear the splashing of the water in the fountain. It’s the reassuring sound that welcomes you to The Cornerstone Apartments. Our prime location guarantees that you will have the best of all worlds right outside your front door. Our community is only moments from the area’s best dining, shopping and entertainment. With the MAX and Tri-Met only steps away, all that this beautiful area has to offer awaits! Living in Portland does not get any better than this. Come home to one of the finest apartment building yet created for Portland’s active urban center. Please Call for an appointment today. 503-235-2869

Property Amenities

* Secure Parking
* Secure Entry
* Free Weights
* Business Center



* Credit cards accepted
* Non-Smoking
* Fitness Center
* Pet Friendly
* Located in Fareless Square

Floor Plan Features

* Cable/Satellite Available
* Microwave
* High Ceilings
* Furnished
* Disposal
* View
* Breakfast Bar



* Washer/Dryer in Unit
* Disability Access
* Dishwasher
* All Electric Kitchen
* Refrigerator
* Window Coverings
* Air Conditioning
* Patio/Balcony

• cats are OK - purrr
• dogs are OK - wooof
• Location: Lloyd
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

http://images.craigslist.org/3nb3p63le5V15Z55R5a7v88f7001f55c01d02.jpg (broken link)http://images.craigslist.org/3ka3o03ld5P45S35R3a7ve5b2f738c6ea1682.jpg (broken link)

[Sleepy_Kitty=^--^=2010]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Core area apartments usually charge separately for parking. You can often find monthly parking cheaper in a parking lot. If you only need a car now & again store your car in the boonies (but on a bus line) and use Zipcar.

[/list]

What is a zipcar? Also, I am looking to get smartcar in the future. How reliable is the transportation system there? (I don't know if any of you have been to boise, but we only have like 3 intercounty buses, 4 buses in the suburbs, and 20 bus lines in the regular city. They only run from 6am-7pm mon-fri. There are a few that run on sat but its like 5 or 6 lines. It is near needed to have a car here)

My boyfriend plans on never buying a car in his life. I'm ok with that, he like to walk everywhere anyways. That's probably a good thing considering that most portlanders walk everywhere right?

[Nell Plotts]

Zipcar Portland - Zipcar is easier than Portland car rental and car ownership

When you see their map click on the +, you will see they have cars parked all over the city.



Public transit is excellent:
TriMet: Public Transportation for the Portland, Oregon, Metro Area

[daisy326]

FYI though Lloyd Center is not downtown...its close but across the river. You can get downtown on the MAX though.

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by daisy326

FYI though Lloyd Center is not downtown...its close but across the river. You can get downtown on the MAX though.

Lloyd Center is the outer limits of the Free Rail Zone, so it is a free ride to Downtown on the Max.

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by Sleepy_Kitty=^--^=2010

What is a zipcar?

As Nell's post link points out, Zipcar is a car rental by the hour, not by the day. Great for people who have given up their car, and use Zipcar for major shopping runs.

Originally Posted by Sleepy_Kitty=^--^=2010

..... How reliable is the transportation system there?.....

Portland has one of the best Mass Transit systems in the USA. It still is a bus system with some Light Rail.
TriMet: Public Transportation for the Portland, Oregon, Metro Area

But be aware, the bus system does not go everywhere and all times. And you will find that you still want a car for shopping trips when you top off the refrigerator with food. You will find it mostly inconvenient to ride the bus with more than one or two reusable tote bags of groceries (plastic bags will be going away in Portland in a couple of years.)

Phil