Moving from Illinois -- need living advice (Portland, Beaverton: apartments, rentals)

[CoachandPT]

Hello all. This is my first post, but I've visited anonymously for awhile know since my wife and I are officially moving to Portland the beginning of June.

My wife will be at Providence Portland, and I will be just off of 26/217 in north beaverton.

We have been to Portland twice now, and have been looking for places for quite some time.

The first time we went, we looked everywhere we thought. We even considered Vancouver. We just returned from our second trip, and we are still homeless/townhouseless.

We are now considering moving up to St. Johns area, but have heard about the lack of things to do up there, and the increased crime rate. But I hear it's not as bad as SE portland.

The major problem is that we are looking for a newer place to rent. Since we need to live in the portland area, it seems it's harder to find nicer/newer townhouses/houses for rent that are AVAILABLE! We abuse Craigslist multiple times / day as well. Always checking for updates.

So, for those who are in the area, what areas do you know of, people we should contact, etc ? We are desperate because we are moving shortly, and we CANNOT make it back out there before we move.

Also, is there agencies, companies, etc that help you find places to live?

If it helps at all, our bugdet is 1300-1400 / month. We want a newer place to live. ~ 1200-1400 sq/ft. Safe area. And hopefully between Providence Portland and near 26/217 north beaverton area.

We thank you all in advance for any information.

[Nell Plotts]

I assume you have looked around Prov Portland, on the north side of the freeway? Where you are limiting yourself is wanting a newer place to rent.

St. Johns is a community that is getting stronger and there are a number of new townhouses that the builders hoped to sell as condos. To get to where you will be working means driving over the St. John's bridge, turning right for a couple blocks, then turning left to go over the hill. Not really what I would want to do daily (but I must admit I have taken that road numerous times).

Have you looked in Forrest Heights??? That 'splits the difference' better for your commutes.

[CoachandPT]

Thanks for your reply.

We would actually be living closer to I-5, so my wife and I would both take that.

Forest Heights looks interesting, but the only problem is that I'm LIMITED to what I find online at this point. Plus, I think my wife would like to be a little closer to her job. She is commuting 45 min each way right now for her current job, and I'm trying to take the longer commute.

Thanks again. More suggestions/comments welcome.

[oldtintype]

Why is SE Portland "bad"?

[Nell Plotts]

I don't think SE Portland is bad by any measure, but he said he wants to rent a new/newer town house. I know that a number have been built in St. Johns but am unaware of any in SE, at least close in SE that might work for his Beaverton direction commute.

Frankly, were I he, I would not limit myself to new townhouses. There are many wonderful older homes in SE.

Coach, have you and your wife asked your new employers HR Reps if you can post a housing wanted notice on their in-house BB? Networking this way can be very productive.

[Lee151]

She will be working at the main Providence Hospital in Portland?

St. Johns is not particularly an easy commute nor is it any safer or nicer than SE Portland. SE is huge by the way and while there is one area (Rockwood) that is terrible it is ridiculous to say that no one should look in SE for safe neighborhoods.

The daily commute on Hwy 26 and then 217 to and from Beaverton to Downtown Portland is the worst in the area. Going from Portland to Beaverton should be easier but still could be a drag.

If you want things to do both the Pearl District downtown or the Hawthorne district in SE are between both jobs and loaded with things to do. The Pearl likely has more rentals certainly of condos or townhomes.

[oldtintype]

The OP said SE was bad.

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

I don't think SE Portland is bad by any measure, but he said he wants to rent a new/newer town house. I know that a number have been built in St. Johns but am unaware of any in SE, at least close in SE that might work for his Beaverton direction commute.

Frankly, were I he, I would not limit myself to new townhouses. There are many wonderful older homes in SE.

Coach, have you and your wife asked your new employers HR Reps if you can post a housing wanted notice on their in-house BB? Networking this way can be very productive.

[oldtintype]

Check out Multnomah Village. There is a lot of new condo/housing there and you wouldn't have to cross the river.

[suncat]

You might try the Museum Place apartments in downtown Portland. They're only a few years old, and it's a nice building.

[Nell Plotts]

I am concerned about their housing budget and the implicit need to park two cars if they rent down town. Frankly, if they rent near the MAX she should be able to commute to ProvPortland easily, just use the pedestrian bridge at the MAX stop. His information about his place of work is too vague for us to be very helpful.

There are some newer infill town houses out there but most are owner occupied. The real jewels are found by networking at your place of employment.