The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: FuckRx on September 13, 2014, 10:18:55 PM
-
If I take this job in Portland it will be in the Boise area which is I guess N or NE Portland. I'm a single guy so I'm good living in a studio. The plan is to get rid of the car a few months after moving there and bike/public transport. I would like to be at an accessible distance away from a library and a grocery store.
Dunno much about Portland except that I really liked the NW area where Hosteling International is at. I liked the Mississippi area nearby Boise (really awesome neighborhood in my opinion). I stayed at Hotel Vintage Plaza the second time I was up there and that hotel district wasn't my flavor.
I would rent unless people here have suggestions on great purchase opportunities.
-
Boise area is good but I think is beginning to get pretty expensive with all the nearby development. I live in Woodlawn, about 2 miles NE of Mississippi area, and is probably 20% cheaper (and more laid back/less busy). If your job is within a mile from Boise n'hood, I would certainly live there. But don't ignore Woodlawn or Kenton or St. Johns neighborhoods if you want to save a few bucks. Public transit is awesome anywhere in the city limits, so you can easily go carless.
-
thanks for the info. gonna look into these areas. I would still be within 3 miles even if I lived out by Woodlawn
-
For your situation, my favorite areas would be:
1. NW 21st Ave
2. Mississippi Ave
3. N Williams
Expect to pay approx $1,000 for a studio. Portland has a very low vacancy rate. However, it's very easy to live carfree, bike everywhere, etc... I live in PDX, so let me know if you have more questions.
-
I was in your position a few years ago looking for a studio in Portland. It was probably the most frustrating rental search experience I've had. Very low vacancy rates combined with very few small apartments/studios, especially on the east side. If you're willing to live with roommates, you might find more options.
That said, with your work location, I would consider:
- N Mississippi Ave area: Main commercial corridor is between Skidmore and Fremont.
- N Williams Ave: Commercial area is between Skidmore and Morris. Tons of new mixed use buildings going up there.
- NE Alberta St: Long street of bars, restaurants, etc. between 9th Ave and 31st Ave. Again, not a ton of apartment options, but lots of houses (and maybe converted basement apartments) in the neighborhood around here.
- N Killingsworth: New restaurants popping up between Greeley and Interstate.
- SE Belmont or SE Hawthorne areas: Farther away but still a relatively easy commute. More apartments in this area.
- Pearl District or NW 23rd area: You'd probably have the best luck finding an apartment in these neighborhoods, but they will be expensive. I personally wouldn't enjoy the bike commute from NW 23rd to Boise. Have to go through downtown on some streets that aren't as bike-friendly (they're still fine, but have lots of stop signs and lack of separate bike lanes compared to the excellent bike infrastructure on the east side).
-
Re: Pearl District/ NW bike commute. Its very easy...go down Overton, cross the Broadway, head up Interstate Ave or N Williams. I ride that little route all the time.
-
Ah, didn't realize Overton was a good route. Never mind, then.
-
The bike routes are golden, thanks for those.
I didn't realize vacancy rate was so low.
I may end up renting a room and having a roommate for a while if that's the case.
A studio would be perfect for me.
-
- SE Belmont or SE Hawthorne areas: Farther away but still a relatively easy commute. More apartments in this area.
I heard other people mention the Hawthorne area.
Thanks, I'll look into the ones you mentioned.
-
Y'all weren't kidding about a tough apartment hunt. I'm here on a hunt for a few days and very few small units on the market and they go super fast. I'm a little bewildered that the studios are the same price as the ones in San Diego. The 1 and 2 bedrooms are a little cheaper but otherwise I would say it's easier finding cheaper studies in SD than here. But I haven't given up yet.