Could use Portland vicinity neighborhood suggestions for our particular circumstances. - Oregon (OR) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

comfort_zone · 03-03-2014, 01:14 PM

ps The circumstance of living with noise in an apartment building is pretty much the same anywhere, with rare exception. We just happened to luck out (after a lot of looking around/research). Perhaps such a lucky spot exists in Portland, but that sort of find is easier to unearth when already living in the town you're researching. And you would think we would be better off in a house, but, at least in Tucson, houses tend to be surrounded by yards with (sometimes multiple) barking dogs. Been there, done that, to the point of trauma and having to move. Finding a thick-walled, single story apartment complex without dogs was a blessing that I am usually very conscious of. Dreaming of a cooler climate has caused me to take my eye off the ball; but we are nothing without the absence of the various noises that have ruined us both for so long.
So, greetings from Tucson AZ, where we live with something invaluable: peace!

bler144 · 03-03-2014, 02:30 PM

I'd like to agree with hamellr that prices will come down, but even though I'm generally bearish on the housing market, I'm not so optimistic to think that will actually translate to rent reduction. A lot of the stock that's being built is mid- to high-end stuff, and I don't see enough units going up to significantly swing the supply/demand curve.

Still, it's a nice thought, and a downward swing would certainly bring prices better back into line with local incomes.

FWIW, there is very good medical care scattered all over the metro. I've never set foot into OHSU, but have been in a half dozen other facilities from Hillsboro to Gresham. Now, if you have a rare condition and need world-class specialist care, then sure, that may be where you end up.

comfort_zone · 03-03-2014, 07:47 PM

Thank you, bler144! I'll keep that in mind.

Leisesturm · 03-05-2014, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfort_zone

So, greetings from Tucson AZ, where we live with something invaluable: peace!

Maybe. Just saying. Maybe the strategy, going forward, is to get a 10,000BTU air conditioner, save a ton of money on relocation expenses and call it 'as good as it gets'. Or, move to PDX and invest in a number of different passive noise abatement schemes. That could be ear plugs for part of the day, white noise generators, Noise absorbent window treatment. FWIW.

H

comfort_zone · 03-05-2014, 12:35 PM

Thanks, Leisesturm! Our AC is fine. I'm more concerned about what would happen if we lost power, so thinking more about a generator, preferably solar. With that resolved, it's just about deciding to give up on walking outside very often, but still also considering getting up very early to do so, some of the time. In the summer, that could mean getting up at 4:30 in the morning. As a night owl who keeps trying to adjust her bedtime, that isn't seeming very likely so far...!

Leisesturm · 03-05-2014, 02:23 PM

Is losing power a frequent occurence in Tucson? I mean... storms and extreme ice or snow are the main reason localities lose power. A solar generator can run a central A/C system for maybe a half hour before the batteries are done. The panels that feed the batteries cannot stay ahead of the demand a large compressor has for wattage. Unless you add more panels. You might as well invest in a real solar energy system. It will have larger panels, larger batteries and will be more economical in much the same way that clocks are usually much cheaper than watches of the same quality level. Or you could get a diesel generator. I won't judge you for it. I don't know nuthin about Tucson but, just saying, malls in most hot places in the country open early so folks can walk inside before the businesses open. Creeping around in the pre-dawn dark to beat the heat sounds extreme. A wild animal might get you... wild people... I'm a night owl too...4:30... not a chance. I'm still in heavy REM sleep. FWIW.

H

Steve Pickering · 03-05-2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comfort_zone

Thanks, Leisesturm! Our AC is fine. I'm more concerned about what would happen if we lost power, so thinking more about a generator, preferably solar. With that resolved, it's just about deciding to give up on walking outside very often, but still also considering getting up very early to do so, some of the time. In the summer, that could mean getting up at 4:30 in the morning. As a night owl who keeps trying to adjust her bedtime, that isn't seeming very likely so far...!

If you are renting an apartment a generator is not going to be an option. And Solar on any rental will not provide the power you need for AC, as the Property owner must install it.

comfort_zone · 03-06-2014, 10:58 PM

Leisesturm, I'd wake up at 4:30, give or take a half hour. I wouldn't actually be outside till it was light. I wouldn't exactly be alone, because it's common practice to walk or run early in the morning-- like 5-ish or 6:00 -- in Tucson, to avoid the heat. The sun is out quite early here in the summer. Well, I guess sunrise is around 5:15AM in June.

But it's probably a moot point, because I doubt I'll ever succeed in that habit. As for mall-walking, yeah, I may have to resort to that, but it's a poor substitute for being outdoors and getting some fresh air. But if that's the only way to get a walk in and avoid the heat, then yes, it's an option.

Losing power doesn't happen often. Just when we have our monsoon season. It can strike different parts of the city for varying amounts of time. I'm not just concerned with what is likely to happen, but also the worst case scenarios. With climate conditions getting more and more dramatic... I don't want to be stuck for a good long while without AC. But we live in an apartment, so we can't get solar panels -- like for a house. And a diesel generator might be so very noisy, that I don't know if we could get away with it. Although if it were an emergency, maybe we could.

Anyway, I don't really know anything about generators, other than a few minutes of reading a little, a long time ago. And I'm not ready to start looking into them. This is just something I think about and will someday have to either act upon, or possibly get stuck in a bad situation. I hadn't thought about it so much, because my plan was to move somewhere that I wouldn't be in need of such a thing -- well, at least in terms of temperature.

I wouldn't be thinking of powering a whole central AC system. Maybe just a small window unit to provide enough temporary relief to part of the apartment. I'm sure that would take a lot of power, too. Heck, maybe just a good strong fan and a small fridge. I don't know, I'm just babbling. This subject is more for another thread, and best discussed once I contemplate what the heck I'm talking about, and do some research. But thanks for the feedback!

Steve, yes. You're right, thanks!