Apartments near Portland & Max Line??? (Beaverton, Hillsboro: rentals, appliances, landscaping)

[wmattlowe]

Im moving to oregon in a few months and figured id ask some people that live out that way if they recommend any apartments near portland(beaverton,tigard, etc.) or downtown portland even. Ive found quite a few online, but i can only see so much without being there, and sense well be renting it sight unseen, i wanted opinions of people that live out there and know the neighborhoods. Our budget is under 1,000 and want a one bedroom with or without a den or office of some sort, depends on layout of course. We prefer a more modern updated look. New appliances, good landscaping, sense of community and neighborhood, updated kitchen and near the max line etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

-Matthew

[Nell Plotts]

Try PadMapper.com, select Portland then scroll the map in the direction of Beaverton (west). With a few clicks you can find the MAX line (light grey line.. little boxes on my screen), the stops are indicated with little street cars. Rentals are pointy targets.

The apartments in the city of Portland are more expensive than your target budget.

[wmattlowe]

Awesome thanks alot! Love the site!

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by wmattlowe

but i can only see so much without being there, and sense well be renting it sight unseen, i wanted opinions of people that live out there and know the neighborhoods.

No, you won't, and I don't mean the typo either. You cannot compare Oregon's rental climate and market to your own. Landlords/property managers in Portland will want to see who they are putting into their rental. People who actually show up in person will be chosen over someone who faxes in an application from across the country. And why would you want it any other way? Your fellow apartment dwellers are also chosen on that basis. Isn't that a good thing? I know three people who are fighting to get out of their leases and one who already has. In every case the issue is mold. At this point I don't know if mold is some kind of code for pre-emptively breaking leases but given that all these people actually saw the apartment before renting what chance does a person renting sight unseen have in not making a bad renting choice?

H

[wmattlowe]

I asked for help looking for places, not your bitter opinion, thanks again to the first response the site has helped alot!

[Nell Plotts]

Whether you rent or buy always look for water stains on walls & ceilings and inspect bathroom vents closely. Also you can always add a statement to your lease that if you discover mold the lease is no longer enforceable. You may need to get a culture of the mold and take it to someone to prove that it is mold but that expense is chump change when compared to someone trying to enforce a lease.

[Minervah]

Sorry I cannot vouch for this personally but you may want to look at this:

Hillsboro Apartments - Orenco Gardens

Before I moved here, I took some time and stayed in Porland for about five days and actually visited various rentals I saw advertised in the newspaper. That was before Craig's List. It was helpful to me because I could get a feel for the neighborhoods and apartments and for the landlords who could get an idea of who I was as well.

If you could visit before you make the move, it would be helpful.

[PortlandiaLover]

you should contact a local apartment finder service. www.PortlandApartmentFinder.com is a good one

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by PortlandiaLover

you should contact a local apartment finder service. www.PortlandApartmentFinder.com is a good one

I have not heard good things about them so I was wondering what your dealings with them have been. Did they find you a good apartment? It's good to hear about all different experiences. What was yours?

I am asking because I see you have recommended this site several times so you must think highly of them.

[Nell Plotts]

I would use www.padmapper.com to see where apartments are on a map.