Midwesterner Considering Relocation to Beaverton for work, have some questions (Portland: real estate, rentals)

[Nell Plotts]

I am not aware that Beaverton has an entertainment district. Others???

There is one 'entertainment district' in Portland west of Burnside, south of Glisan (pronounced Glee-son), east of Broadway, that I highly recommend you avoid at all hours.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Further North

I'm a man actually, but yes thank you very much for the info!

If I found an apartment at someplace like Stonebridge at Cornell or the cluster of them further down on Cornell by Murray which is across 26 from the office (Off of Greenbrier) I'd really be in pretty much biking distance.

Does Cornell have any kind of decent bike lanes along it?

How about the overpass itself?

I'll have to look at Orenco as well.

Thanks for your help!

Hillsboro is a bit more affordable , has a nice downtown, and Orenco Station is a neighborhood with a Tri- Met Station. I live in Beaverton but it’s gerting expensive and especially the area where your work will be. New apartments went up on Scholl’s Ferry in Tigard but Hillsboro may be more convenient for you.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

I am not aware that Beaverton has an entertainment district. Others???

There is one 'entertainment district' in Portland west of Burnside, south of Glisan (pronounced Glee-son), east of Broadway, that I highly recommend you avoid at all hours.

Downtown Beavertonhas is going to be home to a performance venue. The area hosts art shows for the community. The Tri- Met Station is right there and is attracting Portland transplants and people from out of state who decide to move to the burbs straight away. I am seeing many 30-something professionals living in the Downtown area and the younger families may start flocking to purchase mid century homes that feed into the newly built Vose School.

[Nell Plotts]

A performance venue in Beaverton would be fantastic. The versatile venues for community performances in Portland are evaporating and as my husband was the project manager for the Portland Performing Arts Center I know well the cost of construction. If Beaverton could find a building that could be adapted (in many cities former churches are used) it could be the centerpiece of an entertainment district.

My take is that the OP wants to find a singles oriented entertainment area. The Pearl District comes to mind with their First Thursday events that seems to focus on graphic arts these days, not quite the beer and band singles scene I think he is seeking.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

A performance venue in Beaverton would be fantastic. The versatile venues for community performances in Portland are evaporating and as my husband was the project manager for the Portland Performing Arts Center I know well the cost of construction. If Beaverton could find a building that could be adapted (in many cities former churches are used) it could be the centerpiece of an entertainment district.

My take is that the OP wants to find a singles oriented entertainment area. The Pearl District comes to mind with their First Thursday events that seems to focus on graphic arts these days, not quite the beer and band singles scene I think he is seeking.

Yes, I agree with The Pearl but Downtown Beaverton is pretty close to the nightlife in Portland via Max or Lyft and Uber. I think the performance venue is being built right now. Beaverton seems to be catering to the younger Intel type worker and it shows in regards to its planning and it’s commitment to foster diversity. I like Orenco because single professionals seem to congregate there.

[Nell Plotts]

I like Orenco too but it is a large neighborhood. Notwithstanding the "Orenco Station" designation much of the housing isn't close to the Orenco MAX station. The Google search Orenco Hillsboro apartments MAX will provide a good place for the OP to start looking.

I took a look at the Beaverton page on the new performing arts center. Its completion is years away. In Portland we had the Schnitzer family to provide a lot of the funding and even then the budget was a huge problem. I wish them luck but it still doesn't address the need for small band venues where singles could meet.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

I like Orenco too but it is a large neighborhood. Notwithstanding the "Orenco Station" designation much of the housing isn't close to the Orenco MAX station. The Google search Orenco Hillsboro apartments MAX will provide a good place for the OP to start looking.

I took a look at the Beaverton page on the new performing arts center. Its completion is years away. In Portland we had the Schnitzer family to provide a lot of the funding and even then the budget was a huge problem. I wish them luck but it still doesn't address the need for small band venues where singles could meet.

I mentioned the proximity to the Tri -Met station that takes many singles into downtown Portland to enjoy music, theater, good restaurants and bars. Many Lyft or Uber back home. It’s nice to be able to drink and not worry about driving home. People share fares. Also I thought the OP has a job out in Beaverton or Hillsboro which is why I recommend hoods out here which cater to professionals who don’t want to pay The Pearl rent. I notice married couples without kids(yet) buying and renting out this way because their careers are more important to them than hanging out in bars. It seems like the younger professionals are getting ready to buy homes and start families.

[Further North]

Originally Posted by Yankeemama

I mentioned the proximity to the Tri -Met station that takes many singles into downtown Portland to enjoy music, theater, good restaurants and bars. Many Lyft or Uber back home. It’s nice to be able to drink and not worry about driving home. People share fares. Also I thought the OP has a job out in Beaverton or Hillsboro which is why I recommend hoods out here which cater to professionals who don’t want to pay The Pearl rent. I notice married couples without kids(yet) buying and renting out this way because their careers are more important to them than hanging out in bars. It seems like the younger professionals are getting ready to buy homes and start families.

It would be nice to be closer to the center of more nightlife, but I'd say if I had to rank priority for where I end up living it would be proximity to work, minimizing commute time and avoiding traffic, and a place I can rent a garage space as well to keep my second car.

I get the impression that hot spots within the city aren't that terribly far away in an Uber or Lyft so I'm okay with being further out.

As for what I'm seeking for entertainment, I'm mostly a Craft Brewery, Live Music, Irish Bar, or Dive Bar person when it comes to bar preferences. If I end up in a "Night Club" it's because someone else dragged me there and I'm in a group of friends. I'd prefer some place with good beer and good atmosphere and that is quiet enough to hold a conversation.

I know about Rogue of course and McMenamins and I visited them when I was there in 09, but I'm definitely open to other suggestions.

I'm also an artist, so any suggestions for galleries, art walks, etc. are greatly appreciated. Chances are I'd try and find places to show my art once I got settled into the area. I do mostly landscape oil painting.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Further North

It would be nice to be closer to the center of more nightlife, but I'd say if I had to rank priority for where I end up living it would be proximity to work, minimizing commute time and avoiding traffic, and a place I can rent a garage space as well to keep my second car.

I get the impression that hot spots within the city aren't that terribly far away in an Uber or Lyft so I'm okay with being further out.

As for what I'm seeking for entertainment, I'm mostly a Craft Brewery, Live Music, Irish Bar, or Dive Bar person when it comes to bar preferences. If I end up in a "Night Club" it's because someone else dragged me there and I'm in a group of friends. I'd prefer some place with good beer and good atmosphere and that is quiet enough to hold a conversation.

I know about Rogue of course and McMenamins and I visited them when I was there in 09, but I'm definitely open to other suggestions.

I'm also an artist, so any suggestions for galleries, art walks, etc. are greatly appreciated. Chances are I'd try and find places to show my art once I got settled into the area. I do mostly landscape oil painting.

North Portland has been full of artists for a while though not sure about gallery sales. Tourists tend to shop in The Pearl where there are spendy galleries and shops. I know there are new apartments in Cedar Mills right near the Market Of Choice for under $1200.a month. That area is a pretty quick Uber/ Lyft and you will find dive bars, bars with local Oregonian beers, breweries in North Portland and NW, SW, SE and NE. Heck, we even have hang outs in the burbs. Most important is to avoid traffic as it will shave years off of your life. Mostly because you sit through four lights and inch along to go a distance of 14 miles. I can get where I want once commenters are off the road but I don’t cross 217 at certain hours due to bumper to bumper traffic a few miles from my house. I have friends that are younger than I am, in their 30’s, and work for Intel and living in Hillsboro has been good for them. I used to live in trendy NE Portland and the cost to live amongst the creative class was too much IMO but I am a parent. Your needs may determine that Portland is a better fit for you.

[Nell Plotts]

Renting with a double garage.... that is a tall order. If you have the resources buy a house.