Is cost of renting house, townhouse, duplex higher in eugene or salem area? (Portland: appointed, real estate)

[natalie456]

Hello all. I'd like to rent a 2 bedroom house, townhome, or duplex with yard in a safe area as I am a senior lady alone with my pets. I am on a fixed retirement income that is moderate. I am needing input as to which area would have less expensive rentals, Eugene area, or Salem area. As well, wondering about rents in Corvallis. I am looking for a place that is no larger than Eugene, and no smaller than about 40000, with public transport. Thanks for your input.
natalie456

[shemomo]

Hi Natalie! Wish I had an answer for you, but I am in the same situation, senior with pets, needing to rent a house with a yard... I see no one has replied, which makes me wonder if it is so difficult...

[ORexpat]

I was just in the areas you mention looking for a rental (and finally giving up.)
Definitely, I would say Salem is the cheapest. The problem I found with apartments was that they tended to be on busy streets or in less than desirable locations. I didn't look much at houses, but I did see some listed at a good price (for Oregon.)
I personally much prefer Corvallis to Eugene, but I was disappointed in the choice of rentals there. My major problem with Oregon is that, in order to rent a pleasant safe place, you pay a lot.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by ORexpat

I personally much prefer Corvallis to Eugene, but I was disappointed in the choice of rentals there. My major problem with Oregon is that, in order to rent a pleasant safe place, you pay a lot.

Why were you dissapointed with the rentals in Corvallis, and could you elaborate on why specifically it's difficult to find a pleasant, safe place for cheap in Oregon?

I've noticed the same thing. It seems that anything under $1000 is an old, run down apartment, moldy basement, or bad part of town.

[ORexpat]

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier,CCCVDUR.
My problem with western Oregon, and this includes Corvallis, is that it seems, due to Oregon's land use laws, that apartments are crammed into bits of land here and there, or along busy streets. In order to get a decent apartment or house you have to pay more than you would in other areas.
In McMinnville I looked at a small house for $700. It was right adjacent to the railroad tracks, on a muddy, unpaved road, with almost no land, and an absolute dump. In Monmouth there were lots of nice old Victorian houses crumbling away while new look alike housing is being built on the outskirts.
I have lived 46 years of my life in Oregon and it has always been difficult to find housing there.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by ORexpat

Sorry I didn't see your post earlier,CCCVDUR.
My problem with western Oregon, and this includes Corvallis, is that it seems, due to Oregon's land use laws, that apartments are crammed into bits of land here and there, or along busy streets. In order to get a decent apartment or house you have to pay more than you would in other areas.
In McMinnville I looked at a small house for $700. It was right adjacent to the railroad tracks, on a muddy, unpaved road, with almost no land, and an absolute dump. In Monmouth there were lots of nice old Victorian houses crumbling away while new look alike housing is being built on the outskirts.
I have lived 46 years of my life in Oregon and it has always been difficult to find housing there.

Arizona (your profile states Gilbert, AZ near Phoenix) has similar land use laws, and I had to rent on the periphery of Phoenix to be near open space. Ashland, OR also has the same land use laws, however, rents are cheaper than Eugene on Craigs List, and Talent is even cheaper. Suncrest Homes, a major developer in Ashland-Talent builds small smart growth homes and townhomes, including the forthcoming Mixed Use *Clearview of Talent* I am no expert in the real estate there, however, why has Eugene become more expensive than Ashland-Talent and also Corvallis? ^

[1208]

Originally Posted by CCCVDUR

why has Eugene become more expensive than Ashland-Talent and also Corvallis? ^

Wrong.

Ashland Cost of Living: 114.4
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $399,129

Corvallis Cost of Living: 94.8
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $262,293

Eugene Cost of Living: 97.6
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $260,200


From city-data.com

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by 1208

Wrong.

Ashland Cost of Living: 114.4
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $399,129

Corvallis Cost of Living: 94.8
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $262,293

Eugene Cost of Living: 97.6
Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $260,200


From city-data.com

the cost of living was relative to a single person seeking to rent an apartment, duplex, or house, as the OP is asking about

check craigs list to verify that apartment, duplex, and house rentals are cheaper in corvallis, ashland, and bend ... versus eugene

the figures you quote from city-data are from the US bls (bureau of labor statistics) and they include gas, food, and other costs. I'm just talking about rent - alone - for one bedroom apartments for singles and couples.

ashland values would be skewed high anyway since there are no cheap groceries in town - the townspeople and their elected represented apparently favor independent businesses - the superwallmart and costco, etc. are 10 miles away in medford - just as in corvallis people drive 12 miles to the costco and wallmart in albany (is that correct, beavers?)

[ORexpat]

In general I find university towns to be expensive. I am sure that I would be able to find a cheaper apartment or house in Ashland and SW Oregon in general than in Eugene. I think it may be because it is farther from Portland. I was in Medford a year ago, where I had seen quite inexpensive rental houses listed, but I found there were a lot of junkers. I think maybe the junkers in Eugene have been cleared out. I have at times seen relatively cheap properties around Ashland, and I never find them around Eugene or Corvallis.

[CCCVDUR]

Originally Posted by ORexpat

In general I find university towns to be expensive. I am sure that I would be able to find a cheaper apartment or house in Ashland and SW Oregon in general than in Eugene. I think it may be because it is farther from Portland. I was in Medford a year ago, where I had seen quite inexpensive rental houses listed, but I found there were a lot of junkers. I think maybe the junkers in Eugene have been cleared out. I have at times seen relatively cheap properties around Ashland, and I never find them around Eugene or Corvallis.

Ashland has Southern Oregon University, nevertheless, it's a bargain for renters (that is, singles or couples with a child or maybe two small children), along with nearby up-and-coming Talent.