Milwaukie Area (Portland, Clackamas, Monroe: 2015, apartment complexes, lease)

[J24]

I've been interviewing for an internal position within my company and it's looking promising that I'll be getting a job in Milwaukie, OR. Can anyone tell me much about this area? How easy to get/far is it to say downtown Portland? I will have a car.

Would it be a good idea to look for apartments in this area (looking for a 2 bedroom apartment, hoping for no more than $1,000/month), or would I be better off looking somewhere else within proximity? It's going to be me and a friend who's got a job lined up there, both in our early 20's (22, 23).

If all goes well as planned, I'll be more than likely moving in early December.


Sidenote: How hard is it to find apartments that have a washer/dryer unit in the apartment or at the least have hookups? I know in some cities it's near impossible to find these.

[EnricoV]

I think that Milwaukie is a great area ... I grew up there. A rush-hour commute is about 30 minutes to downtown, off-time is about 15 minutes. Very easy.

Your money will go further by staying in Milwaukie for an apartment. Because it's Clackamas County, they'll be cheaper than in Portland. But Portland's an easy drive for entertainment purposes. There is a light-rail line in the works that is set to open in 2015, which will make transport into Portland even easier.

[AndyAMG]

We are bought a house in Milwaukie. Once you get over the Clackamas County line the Portland wierdness thing magically goes away. We like it so far. It's a lot like St. Johns but without the wierdos. Main Street is "cute", but boring. It has a bunch of bars and vintage clothing and antique stores a few restaurants. Commute is a little difficult these days now that the Orange line max project is starting they are doing construction all over. Yesterday it took me about 40 minutes to get from Swan Island to Milwaukie at 5 PM but in the wee morning hours 5AM it was totally clear.

2 br in Milwaukie for under 1k with washer dryer hookups is do able. We looked at some apartments in downtown milwaukie across from the Waldorf School, can't remember what they were called but they were super nice and they were asking 1,100 for a 3 br. Just Google it. There are also smaller, lower rent and a bit...well, old and not very nice apartments in the area around Milwaukie elementary. There are some new apartments above the restaurants in dt they are having trouble filling, my guess is they are asking way too much for rent. but you can check those out. Google and make some calls.

Remember proof of income, 2.5 times the rent, photo ids, any adult has to be on the lease and sign the lease in person. No felonies, Misdemeanors or evictions within five years.

[crisw]

Milwaukie is a great area to live. It's not as hip or exciting as living in Portland, but it's also a lot cheaper, and Portland is close enough whenever you need more entertainment.

Wen we lived in Milwaukie off of 40th and Monroe my commute downtown generally took 20-25 minutes. You can also bike downtown on the Springwater Trail.

There are lots of strip malls and businesses along McLoughlin (and lots of apartments just off McL) and some small businesses in downtown Milwaukie.

[Beenhere4ever]

We lived off Tacoma. Sellwood and Milwaukie were our two "downtowns". Our church was in Milwaukie. So I was kind of a dual citizen, Portland and Milwaukie. The stores in Milwaukie were easier to get to than anything in Portland.

[Minervah]

I would definitely stay in Milwaukie. I think your chances of getting your washer/dryer in your apartment would be greater there for one thing. for another, to me it just wouldn't make much sense to commute from Portland. Milwaukie is a nice little town and has anything you would want.

If you wanted to visit Portland for entertainment or additional shopping it is not far at all. You would have the best of both worlds at a less expensive price and a no-commute to work hassle.

[lolligrump]

We moved here in July from NC and are renting in Milwaukie - (unincorporated area Zip 97267). We have a nice 3 bedroom, double garage house with a BIG shop, which is holding most of our stuff until we find a house to buy. We have a son and daughter-in-law living in downtown Portland. They often catch the MAX from there to Clackamus Mall, where we pick them up. It's a 40 minute ride from one end to the other and the mall is less than 10 minutes from our house. We love taking it as well to get to many places, especially downtown Portland. It's a very convenient area. We will most likely be buying in either Zip 97222 or 97267 as we like the area so much! Good luck to you.

[J24]

Thanks for the info guys. That definitely reassures me that Milwaukie seems like a nice place to live. Now the only thing I'm worried about is finding the apartment availablity upon a pretty short notice and at a non-peak time of the year for availablity. Anybody know of any specific apartment complexes that they'd recommend?

Assuming I get the job, I'll more than likely be moving in early or mid December, with a roommate making his move a few weeks after that. Also a little worried on figuring out how to get the lease signed by both of us when we might not be able to both make a flight out there at the same time (flights from OKC-PDX aren't exactly cheap).

[Sherwoody]

Originally Posted by J24

Thanks for the info guys. That definitely reassures me that Milwaukie seems like a nice place to live. Now the only thing I'm worried about is finding the apartment availablity upon a pretty short notice and at a non-peak time of the year for availablity. Anybody know of any specific apartment complexes that they'd recommend?

Assuming I get the job, I'll more than likely be moving in early or mid December, with a roommate making his move a few weeks after that. Also a little worried on figuring out how to get the lease signed by both of us when we might not be able to both make a flight out there at the same time (flights from OKC-PDX aren't exactly cheap).

Can you qualify on your own and then add the room-mate at a later time?