help finding an apartment in portland (Gresham, Hillsboro: apartment complex, lofts, house)

[ms_coffee]

Hi. My husband has a job offer in Hillsboro and we are seriously considering moving to the area. Would greatly appreciate some insight and suggestions!!!

1. We want to live somewhere that he can drive to work in about a half hour or less and where we would not have to buy a second car (meaning, I can take public transit or bike or walk).

2. We don't want to live in an apartment complex or in a place that feels too much like a suburb. I hate strip malls. We need to live somewhere that has sidewalks. I would love to live down the block from a corner store. we have that now and it is great.

3. We have no kids or pets. In our early 30s. We bike. We camp. We like going out to eat. Vegetarians. We like good beers and live music and would like to be able to walk to enjoy these things (ya, no drinking beers and driving for us).

I am coming out next week to check out the area and make sure I like it (pretty sure I will because everyone i talk to is seriously in love w/ portland). What is the best way to go about apartment hunting? craigslist? the newspaper? Any suggestions on the area to look? anywhere I must go when out to visit?

[Nell Plotts]

Use all of the resources you mentioned.

Several of your requirements are in conflict.. Hillsboro IS a suburb.

The neighborhood known as Orenco might meet your needs.

[ms_coffee]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Use all of the resources you mentioned.

Several of your requirements are in conflict.. Hillsboro IS a suburb.

The neighborhood known as Orenco might meet your needs.

so everything w/in 30 minutes commute is suburbs? i guess i'll see for myself next week. i don't care about living in a small community, i just don't want to have to drive everywhere i need to go.

what else is in conflict? i don't get it.

[Nell Plotts]

I had a hard time invisioning how your #2 would work.

Take a look around the Max Blue line stations for something that would meet your needs. If your work commute could be a combo of Max and bike you could probably live in the Portland city center, however, the cost of housing is highest in the Portland city center. TriMet: How to Load Your Bike on MAX
TriMet: MAX Blue Line (Hillsboro/City Center/Gresham) Map & Schedule

[EnricoV]

Sounds like you want to be in Portland. Or closer in (say below 39th) on the East Side would probably work for you too - there, you'd be more likely to find a house rather than apartment. Downtown it'll likely be apartments, or lofts.

[oldtintype]

You can also check in the NW 23rd area as there are a number of duplex units there and the same thing for parts of Goose Hollow. Is he planning on taking MAX or driving to Hillsboro? One thing that's a bonus about staying on the west side is you won't have to commute with the rest of the people on the east side who are trying to get downtown. If you start off on the west side it's mostly a reverse commute.

You might also check out the Multnomah Village area.

[sjbgreece]

What about Vancouver, Washington across Portland, Oregon? I heard it is cheaper but hard to get across the bridge in rush hour (only)?

[Nell Plotts]

Vancouver has weak public transit, not to mention AWFUL congestion across the interstate bridge during commute hours. A non-starter for someone who works in Hillsboro and whose family wants pedistrian friendly access. When (IF) Vancouver gets light rail THEN it would be worth considering.

[pacowang]

i currently live in the city and commute out to the suburbs. traffic is really tolerable when driving opposite the rush hour commuters. you would likely be better off living in sw if your husband has to drive to hillsboro for work.

[oregonn8v]

I would first check to see how close your husband's work is to the Light Rail line. If it is fairly close he could use the Light Rail to commute to and from work and you could then live anywhere within a convenient location to the rail in Portland.

It really sounds like you would be more interested in living in the coty rather than the suburbs. It only means that your husband will have to commute to work rather than both of you having to commute to stores, recreation, pubs, concerts, etc.

If it is convenient for him to use light rail to commute, I would seriously look at the Hollywood district on Portland (close in NE). THere are a lot of great restaiurants, pubs (actual brew pubs), music venues, bike paths, parks, eclectic shops, etc. Depending on where you are there are also some great markets. This would be anything west of NE 60th avenue and bordered by NE Sandy on the South and NE Handcock on the North side. It sort of forms a triangle since NE Sandy runs at an angle from NW to SE.

This area will put you close to a couple of Light Rail stations. Your can get more details on this map... TriMet: MAX Light Rail System Map

On the East side (right side of map) you can see Lloyd Center/NE 11th, Hollywood/NE 42nd TC, and NE 60th...all good stops to live around. The scan your eyes AAAALLLLLLLLLL the way to the left side of the map and you will see Hillsboro.

Hope this helps.