Apartment search, NE Martin Luther King Jr neighborhood (Portland: apartments, lease)

[mystery_saw]

Hey everyone. I'm moving to Portland in August, and I'm pretty clueless about the neighborhoods there. I'm looking at an apartment located on 3225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, and I'm not exactly sure what that neighborhood is like, and what it's close to, resource wise. Could someone help me out with that, or point me in a direction where I can find out that information? I really don't want to get stuck in a lease in a neighborhood that doesn't work for me.

Thank you everyone!

[hamellr]

What is your budget? Where are you working? What kind of amenities are you looking for?

MLK is on the lower end of parts of the city - especially right on the street. It's getting better and certainly not the drug and prostitute place it was 30 years ago. But it's still got a bit of "You live where?" stink about it.

[mystery_saw]

Budget, as of this point is 750-850ish. Emphasis on ish. Job I don't have at this point, so at this point being close to my place of employment is not an issue. Amenities I'm looking for: close to public transportation because I don't have a car, walking distance to restaurants and shops and what-not. 'Modern' looking, not really digging vintage apartments.

The place I found, The King apartments being build by EkoHaus, seems pretty rad, however when I was looking at where it's at on Google Maps, I didn't really get a great vibe from it.

[oldtintype]

It's in an up and coming area. The building should be cool itself based on others they've done. But the neighborhood isn't the best. It's not terrible, it's just not great. Things are changing and it's getting nicer and nicer but....just depends what you're looking for and ok with. Will you be safe during the day? Yes usually. Will you be safe walking around late at night? Maybe not--that kind of thing.

[mystery_saw]

Thanks for your reply. I think I'll keep it in my back pocket, and keep applying other places. We'll see how it goes.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by mystery_saw

Thanks for your reply. I think I'll keep it in my back pocket, and keep applying other places. We'll see how it goes.

Actually I take back most of what I said. I thought it was further north on MLK than it is. Thats a much better area than I thought it was originally. There's lots of great stuff on N Williams and on Fremont and 15th and the area is much more walkable/safe than what i said. It's still up and coming though so depends on how squeaky clean you want your neighborhood to be.

[EnricoV]

It's not a bad area, there have been lots of empty lots (not sure if they're built in yet) where urban renewal has been happening.

Personally, I wouldn't mind the neighborhood so much as I'd mind being right on MLK like that. It wouldn't be my first choice, let's say.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

Personally, I wouldn't mind the neighborhood so much as I'd mind being right on MLK like that. It wouldn't be my first choice, let's say.

That is my initial thought too. MLK is a major arterial roadway. The noise of traffic would get to me much worse then the neighborhood.

[mystery_saw]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

Actually I take back most of what I said. I thought it was further north on MLK than it is. Thats a much better area than I thought it was originally. There's lots of great stuff on N Williams and on Fremont and 15th and the area is much more walkable/safe than what i said. It's still up and coming though so depends on how squeaky clean you want your neighborhood to be.

This is incredibly reassuring. I was actually kind of freaking out because I was otherwise really jazzed about this apartment, it's just I wasn't completely sure about the neighborhood. Now, I haven't even considered noise due to traffic, so I'll have to keep that into consideration.

I really appreciate everyone's input. It's been incredibly helpful.

[NWGirl74]

The vacancy rate is pretty low in Portland right now so not having a job could be an issue but others have posted recently about finding a place without one.

You should be able to catch the bus fairly easily on MLK. Street noise is something you could potentially get used to. I used to live in the flight path for the airport and after awhile the planes just became normal background noise.