23 and moving to Portland (apartments, rentals, homes)

[aje5034]

Hi Guys,

I'm 23 years old and moving to Portland for work in May. I am currently living in Southern California but I grew up in NJ and I have never been to Portland, so I only have internet research to go by at this point. I am looking at the Pearl district, mostly because it has been the most prominently featured neighborhood in my google research. I am looking to find a neighborhood with a concentration of people my age, but not a college crowd. Can anyone offer any insight or suggestions as far as what neighborhoods have the most young professionals in their 20's? I can pay as much as 1500 a month to be in the right area, but if I can find a vibrant neighborhood with a young crowd and some good bars/restaurants where I rents for a nice one bedroom are closer to 1000 that would be great! Thanks for your suggestions!

[Nell Plotts]

The Pearl, housing around NW 23rd would fit your social life to a T. Parking will be expensive however.

[davemess10]

I don't necessarily think of the Pearl when I think of a young crowd. Maybe professional 30 somethings, but not 20's.

I would look to the inner SE. There is a younger scene there, with a more diverse group of people your age. In this town, I don't think you will find that many "profesional" 23 year olds. This would also keep you closer to $1k a month, which would be pretty hard to find in the Pearl.

Do you know where you will be working, that could have some good influence on where you live.

The only real "college scene" type area would be around PSU, to my experience. Most other places in the city will have younger people, but not necessarily college-esque.

[khyron]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

The Pearl, housing around NW 23rd would fit your social life to a T. Parking will be expensive however.

I see this mentioned constantly whenever someone mentions moving and The Pearl comes up. Seriously, do that many people living in The Pearl actually own cars? I can't imagine why they'd want to, or rather, if cars were important to them why live in The Pearl? The whole place was designed intentionally for a density of less than one car per person as far as I can tell.

[JonathanLB]

Southeast? What are you trying to kill this guy? Nobody goes to Southeast Portland unless they're poor. That's like the crappiest area. Avoid Northeast and Southeast Portland at all costs, stick to the same as you would in any city -- knowing the East Side is always lousy, doesn't matter what city you pick, it's always true, and West is always best.

In the case of Portland you're going to have the most fun in the Pearl District and the 21st / 23rd area. Everyone always says 23rd, but that strikes me as funny because there's literally nothing useful on 23rd at all, it's all on 21st. Yet it's always called the 23rd area, so whatever. One of those things about Portland that makes no sense, much like "Couch" -- which has an established pronunciation -- being pronounced inappropriately instead. It's... just weird.

Also, this isn't New York, what are you talking about?! You don't have a car because you live in the Pearl? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. First off, it's Portland, where it rains about 363 days per year, of course you want a car because even walking 5 blocks in that lousy weather is out of the question. Second, what, you have NO FRIENDS anywhere else in the city? You don't go anywhere? This is the West Coast, we don't use public transportation on the West Coast, because it's for homeless people. Seriously I don't know anyone who actually uses any form of public transportation and that goes for my friends up and down the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego and everywhere in between. That's for New Yorkers, and I'm glad that works for them and all, but it doesn't matter where you live in Portland, you still need a car just like any civilized place

[Nell Plotts]

-20 JohnathanLB

[Nell Plotts]

For what it's worth, Zillow has a new feature, rent extimates: Apartments for Rent & Apartment Rentals in - Zillow

[davemess10]

Yes, Jonathon, that really is some unhelpful advice. It's so over the top I can't really tell if you are joking or not?

No one goes to SE Portland unless they're looking for things to do, or many of the best restaurants in the city.

And you do know that many people move to Portland specifically for it's ability to live car-free, right?

[Minervah]

Southeast? What are you trying to kill this guy? Nobody goes to Southeast Portland unless they're poor. That's like the crappiest area. Avoid Northeast and Southeast Portland at all costs, stick to the same as you would in any city -- knowing the East Side is always lousy, doesn't matter what city you pick, it's always true, and West is always best.

I live in the SE part of town and I'm not dead yet.

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I live in the SE part of town and I'm not dead yet.

Me too.