Cost of living, job opportunities in Portland (apartment, lease)

[jicama1]

Dear all,

I'm thinking of moving to Portland from Berkeley. I'm trying to figure out what the cost of living would be for me, and what kind of job options would be available, compared to Berkeley.

Housing needs:

* room in an apartment or house

* preferable to have washer & dryer, dishwasher

* within a block of the bus line. within 30 minute bus ride to gym, coffee shops, etc.

* 1-3 housemates

* preferable to live in quiet, walkable neighborhood

Job needs:

I'm a 20-something with a BA in the humanities from UC Berkeley. I've held a few jobs for long stretches. How good/bad is the job market there? I'm thinking of doing academic or GRE/SAT tutoring.

What would probably be the price of a room that meets my requirements? How much is the cost of living in general? How competitive would it be for me to get a job in tutoring etc.? For reference, in Berkeley, paying $700-900 for a room that meets the above requirements is normal, and jobs are fairly competitive.

Thanks!
Kara

[bler144]

If you're talking about renting a room in a shared house, then 500-650 seems fairly typical, but like that part of the Bay actually finding a spot you like isn't guaranteed because demand > supply right now, particularly in the sort of neighborhoods you're looking for. Quite possible we'll see prices for rooms rise, following both the general rise in area rents, and the fact that newer owners are paying market price for purchase, and not skating cheaply on the pittance houses cost in Portland 16 years ago.

Though Portland is on a small enough scale that almost anywhere in city limits is <30 min bus ride, in outlying neighborhoods frequency of service is the big question mark.

I also think you'll find the job market weaker than the Bay, and while there are jobs here its much more competitive if you aren't in tech or med. Marketing also seems reasonably in demand here. In terms of tutoring your UCB degree will give you some leg up (perhaps also in securing a room), but I'd definitely invest time in looking at job boards before making the plunge.

[Nell Plotts]

You can spend as much as you want. My guess is that a 3-bedroom house with a dishwasher shared with 3 roommates can be found for $900x3 but the lessee would need to demonstrate that s/he can pay the rent independent of any roommates.

Tutoring doesn't pay well and there would be a lot of turnover of student-clients. I wouldn't count on that as your major source of income. Also, the person who is the leaseholder wouldn't like that either.

I suggest you engage in a job hunt and once you have an offer then look for housing convenient to your place of employment. You have a degree from a respected school, probably some work experience. With time and effort you should be able to find work.