What;s the rent like in Portland, OR?

[ForceUser]

Just curious. I live in San Diego and a 2 bed/2 bathroom apartment here goes for anywhere between $1000 to $1500 a month, depending. I've heard a lot of good things about the Pacific Northwest and I'm interested in one day moving there. Besides the rent, how's the job market?

 

[jester47]

Oregon has the highest unemployment rate in the country for this depre... I mean resession. Still it ain't flint michigan. A good rule of thumb is to take the unemployment rate of the region or city and assume it will take you that many months to land a job. Here in seattle its 7% Oregon is larger. It took 7 month to get this one since I started looking.

Rents here in seattle are fairly high on a national level, but not that much different than anywhere else on the West coast. $1000 outside of the city proper will get you 1000+ squre feet. In seattle its generally just above a buck a square foot. This all translates to Portland which rentwise is cheaper than Seattle.

If you are looking to move to Portland don't. Instead I would recomend Vancouver WA. Its just on the other side of the river from Portland and is cheaper. 7-800 for a nice 1000+ apt. The other advantage is shopping in Portland does not have a sales tax, and it is not a long drive. Depending on where you live. However Oregon has a heafty state income tax. Washington has no income tax. None of this helps you if you are one of those gotta live in the near-downtown people like me. Thing about Portland is once out of Downtown portland proper, you might as well be in Vancouver, WA. If you are computer inclined, check out HP, as they are about the best deal on that side of the river. I am not sure how the taxes work out if you work in Portland and live in Vancouver WA.

Oh and be prepared not to see the sun much in the winter. Though that is more of a Seattle thing than a Portland thing, but its still a portland thing.

Aaron.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

Just curious. I live in San Diego and a 2 bed/2 bathroom apartment here goes for anywhere between $1000 to $1500 a month, depending. I've heard a lot of good things about the Pacific Northwest and I'm interested in one day moving there. Besides the rent, how's the job market?

Job market will depend on your profession and current ability level. What sort of career are you in?

I'll ask some Portland relatives and post their answers here.

 

[ForceUser]

Job market will depend on your profession and current ability level. What sort of career are you in?

I'll ask some Portland relatives and post their answers here.

I'm currently changing careers from electronics to teaching. I would like to teach English Literature at the university level, though it will be a couple of years before I get my degree.

Thanks for the info, jester.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

Are you getting your final degree in San Diego, or thinking you might get your degree(s) in the Pacific Northwest? My brother moved to Portland in 1997 and just finished his last degree, so he has experience with three different colleges in Oregon (BA, MBA, & Law). Guess he's a bit of a late bloomer.

 

[ForceUser]

I intend to (hopefully) get my bachelor's & master's here in San Diego before moving on. As a resident of California there's incentive to complete my education here.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

Good luck with school--enjoy it (if you can).

Still no word from my relations. I'll bug them some more.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

OK, finally heard from my Portland relations (who were out of town).

Here's what they said:

howdee - was travelling thus the delay in responding.
here 2 bed / 2 bath apts. or houses!!! should be less
than san diego - for example sarah's house - a great
1914 2br / 1 ba house in one of the three hottest
neighborhoods in portland rented for $1100 - you could
easily pay more or less, depending on neighborhood,
apt. vs. house, etc.

jobs, at least for lawyers, are a bit iffier, but
depending on the sector or whatnot - some are on the
upswing, some are static, some are dying - more
details may lead to more thoughts / info. if he/she is
in govt work then timing is bad due to budget
problems, if in high tech then it seems sluggish but
slowly on the upswing, manufacturing / natural
resources are d-e-a-d.

Hope this helps. If you have any more specific questions, I'll pass them on.