Considering retiring to Portland - questions (Salem, Beaverton: apartment, rentals, condos)

[Doug1245]

I'm considering retiring to Portland for several reasons. One being I lived there for 2 years 20 years ago and loved it. Another is the great public transportation. I don’t like driving and have had vision problems and worry someday I may no longer be able to drive. I don't know anyone in the area which is the thing which may mitigate against relocating there. Most of my friends are retiring or getting ready to and are moving out of the Bay Area to warmer climates/less expensive metros – not to the Northwest however. I’m researching various living options from lifecare communities (Touchmark) to adult non-lifecare communities (Summerfield, Courtyard Village) to a single family home situation. Not sure about moving into a condo/apartment as I’ve always lived in single family homes. So a small home in Portland that is near public transportation and in a hilly area is appealing.Not the West Hills (which I’d love) as those areas are too expensive and the homes generally large. Any thoughts or suggestions you have would be much appreciated.

[sylentvoyce]

You could always try one of the butte areas. Rocky Butte, Powell Butte. Hilly, transportation is close, and not too terribly, comparatively, relatively expensive. I miss Portland. born and raised, but I could never make it work financially.

Good luck!

[pdxMIKEpdx]

The first thing people will ask is your housing budget.

Homes are expensive here right now, with rentals in Portland ( where you would want to be realizing the public transportation etc..., asking for huge rental prices.

[Doug1245]

Originally Posted by pdxMIKEpdx

The first thing people will ask is your housing budget.

Homes are expensive here right now, with rentals in Portland ( where you would want to be realizing the public transportation etc..., asking for huge rental prices.

The idea long-term would be to purchase a home. My budget for that would be 650K give or take. A smallish home. An older home. Perhaps a townhome. I initially thought about Vancouver as prices across the rive are less. However, I learned there is not a good public transportation system in Vancouver. Sylentvoyce mentioned two areas. I only glanced at one - Rocky Butte - and it is appealing. Older quaint homes, hilly and some views. I'll further check those neighborhoods out. Are they safe? Is there a mix of generations? In the neighborhood where I live 85% of residents are under 40.

[sylentvoyce]

Safety in Portland, is a relative term. It is gentrifying, hence the rising home prices.

The butte areas I mentioned are probably a little safer than the hipper, and/or more homeless infested business districts scattered around town. They are buried deeper into the long established single family neighborhoods of the city.

As far as generations; Portland is a 'hip' and 'upcoming' city. As a result, the generations are going to be predominantly younger, white, and single.

Your budget should get you in most areas just fine, providing some fairly minor concessions. Hope this all helps!

[Michi527]

You will totally find something in that price range, in areas with lots of transit!! Check inner SW, inner SE, inner NE. Most anything you could want in walking distance, or a quick bus/max ride.

[Doug1245]

Thanks for the replies. It has helped put a focus on this. A view of Hood or to the West. Access to public transportation and walkability. Able to leave the place empty for a month plus, going back and forth to the Bay Area initially. Plus not really wanting a life-care "resort" community - wouldn't use most of the resort amenities - brings it down to a condo or co-op. Condos with a view seem well within my budget and available relatively close in to downtown. A path forward!

[JonathanLB]

If you must be in the city of Portland, a budget won't go as far, but there are a lot of good suburban areas with as I understand very solid public transit as well. I live in Beaverton, my house is about $600K, but it's probably a good deal bigger than you would need, and a lot of other homes even in my neighborhood are in the $450K range. I have a friend not too far away, he rents an apartment a few blocks from the Max line, so it goes right downtown (where he works), and that's really convenient for him. He doesn't have much money so he splits the car with his ex-wife or something like that, all I know is he doesn't always have car access, and manages to get downtown in a reasonable time using the Max.

There are other places (I don't want to speak too much without knowing first hand) like Orenco Station I believe that have good transit hubs and transportation to other areas you may want to go. So you may be able to find a house that's in the suburbs and more affordable (lower property taxes out here in Beaverton too, would really help a retired person, I think) but also meets your transportation goals. Just a thought.

Overall most of Portland is very safe, sure there are sketchy areas anywhere, but I have a lot of complaints about Portland; safety isn't one of them. I've never felt unsafe living here at any time, but I also haven't lived in some of the more... "up and coming" areas, I guess you'd say. I don't know if you'll have a source of income when you retire, passive investments, pension, that kind of thing, but keep in mind OR has among the highest income taxes in the U.S. and that's a key reason it's considered a very poor state for retirement. They'll tax anything that moves.

[leastprime]

For that much money, you could live in Redmond WA either in a condo or apartment and be within blocks of everything that you will need/require. That is what we are doing and we moved from Oregon to Washington. $1 soundtransit care for seniors . I

For half that you can buy a condo in Salem or buy a home with view and a large home with home garden/orchard. This is what we sold (house). But you have to have a car. A new condo near the hospital/Willamette university/amtrak will run ~300. See Zillow 97301.

[BendLocal]

Originally Posted by Doug1245

Are they safe?

Crime Statistics - City of Portland