Ideas for ideal locations near Portland? (Beaverton, Lake Oswego: apartments, neighborhood, living in)

[jayuso]

Hey guys was wondering if anyone could maybe help out. We're currently living In Lake Oswego and find it a bit boring due to it being harder to commute to downtown Portland and not being much to do at all minus out-doors type things. We are more into the city life

Anyways we're looking for a fairly safe, quiet neighborhood with more to do and possible access to Public transportation like the light rail. where you can afford a 2 bedroom apt for around $ 750 at the maximum. somewhere with more of a city-ish vibe than Lake Oswego

[Daisy32673]

I would look in and around Cedar Hills/Barnes Road/Raleigh Hills area. It's close to MAX, NW Portland and downtown. You may be able to find apartments in SE or NE too but that's about as close to downtown as you'll get for that price.

[Minervah]

In my experience one bedroom apartments go for way more than $750 a close-in NE or SE neighborhood let alone two bedroom apartments. Even studios go for more than that. Maybe the SE Montavilla Neighborhood will have what you are looking for in price but it may not have the amenities you want. The farther out you go, the less expensive but you will be closer to more activities than you are in LO.

[EnricoV]

You're asking for two different things. A "city-ish vibe" is not going to be quiet. If there are things to do, there are going to be people there to do it, and they're going to make noise. And, if there are things to do, space is going to be more sought after, and prices are going to be higher. So you're going to have to either pay more for it, or get less for what you pay.

I'm just not sure you can have it all.

[Adamson865]

I lived right in downtown Lake Oswego and it was a quick zip up 43, even going to work. If you're in LO towards 217, you might want to consider downtown LO. It's a self-contained little downtown with shopping, restaurants, etc.

[jayuso]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

You're asking for two different things. A "city-ish vibe" is not going to be quiet. If there are things to do, there are going to be people there to do it, and they're going to make noise. And, if there are things to do, space is going to be more sought after, and prices are going to be higher. So you're going to have to either pay more for it, or get less for what you pay.

I'm just not sure you can have it all.

It doesn't have to be right in the heart of downtown or totally city-ish. It can be a suburb as well, just closer to Portland than Lake Oswego and with more going on. For example possibly Beaverton? It's right on the Max Light rail line I heard and it isn't as small town as Lake Oswego. Stuff like that I'm looking for in terms of advice

Not totally quiet as in country quiet, but fairly quiet and safe would be nice. I'm 18 and still looking to get my car which means something with more accessibility than LO

[jayuso]

Anybody have any other suggestions? I appreciate the ones I've already received but I honestly don't think my desires are all that unrealistic like someone said. Thing about Lake Oswego is there isn't much you can walk to, especially since I'm 18 and don't yet have car. Alot of sidewalks dead end and it just isn't very pedestrian friendly in general. As I said I don't have to be directly in the heart of downtown just something a little closer to it. Nor does it have to be totally city-ish but something a little bit more than Lake Oswego. Possibly somewhere on the Light-Rail line that way you can hop on and go

I'd like it to be fairly safe but I understand with being near a city there will be occasional crime. Quiet is another thing that would be nice, however I don't expect it to be perfectly silent. I just mean as long as there aren't constant gun shootings out the window and stuff (Exaggerations but I'm sure you guys get what I mean LOL)