another moving thread, but I would really like some good advice! (Portland: apartment, rent)

[denverCOgirl]

Hi all been apartment shopping and really have no clue what to do. Currently, we are staying (temporarily) in the Pearl district. As a result, I fell in love with downtown- however, much too pricy. Any ideas on what's a good area for mid-twenties folks that are new to Portland? We had heard about the St. Johns area, and as of now that sounds most promising. Somethings we want are:

an area with a lot going on
clean/safe
affordable-- about 950/month
Preferably NW to be closer to job.

I was also wondering/hoping that rent might possibly decrease during summer since all the students might be heading out. . . yes?

and while you're at it any cool hang outs, restaurants, happy hours. . .?

much thanks

[EnricoV]

You should be able to find something in that price range in NW, up beyond the freeway from the Pearl. Or, down around PSU things ought to be opening up as the school year ends and people move out. Rents shouldn't decrease, but you ought to have more choices. It looks like there's a number of listings on Craig's List that would fit the bill.

[philwithbeard]

Have you looked at the NW 21st thru 24th streets between W Burnside and NW Vaughn?

Should be some places in those older large urban apartment buildings on NW Glisan walking distance to the Trader Joe's grocery store up that way. Admittedly, may not be in your price range.

[davemess10]

I would look around Hawthorne on the East side. It's not really very far from the NW area of downtown. Alberta and Mississippi areas in the NE are cool as well. NW is a bit more yuppie young people, fashionista-types. SE and NE are a little more down to earth (somewhat more like CO people (I used to live there, so I feel okay saying that)). There are just a lot really neat pockets on the east side of town. It doesn't have the downtown feel of the West side, but it is a little more laid back and just feels a bit more relaxed.

The beauty of renting is that you can move if you need to (which you may want to do after exploring the many areas of Portland). See if you can get a place that does month to month (sometimes this may cost you a little more). Can't say I have seen a rent drop in the summer. Despite PSU's size Portland isn't THAT much of a college town.

St. John's while not a bad place to live, it's pretty far out from almost everything in Portland.

[rainierman]

Everyone ought to leave the Pearl District. I used to live in swanky SF-SoMa, and I don't even understand why the Pearl stays high-priced in this economy, the area's half-abandoned. (But I also remember the Pearl when it looked like little Detroit or Wichita). Consider SW Portland all the way to Barbur Blvd. Easy bus ride, cheaper rent. Harrison Towers and CyanPDX near PSU are nice & modern. Harrison can get rowdy, both are condo failures, so it's a renter's access to the urban eco-yuppie life.