Short Term/Month to Month Housing (Portland: extended stay, rentals, hotel)

[onsrud]

Hi All,

I'm moving to Portland in January for work. My job is in the downtown area, near Portland State. I'm not going to be able to visit Portland before I move, so I was hoping to rent short term before finding a longer term place to live. Most places I have talked to want at least a 6 month lease. Ideally I would like to do month to month, but I would be willing to do up to 3 months. I did a search on this forum, but the posts were a few years old and were mostly for furnished places. I'm looking for 1 bedroom, less than $2k per month, and preferably within a 30 minute commute. Does anyone have any experience with places or clues on what to search for? Searching for short term leases and month to month rental isn't getting me anything on Google.

[existant]

Craigslist? Airbnb? Do you absolutely need to have your own place if it's just for a short amount of time?

[onsrud]

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping for unfurnished because I will be bringing all my stuff with me and that will make it easier to store. I was interested in having a separate place because I don't feel comfortable leaving my stuff in shared housing (renting a room) while I am at work. Also, I don't know if I could fit it all in a room while also living there.

[bostonguy1960]

Sorry, can't help for your exact needs, but a short-term furnished room in a nice guesthouse in a good neighborhood is sometimes listed on CL.

They prefer two months minimum, I think. Seems the owners may live there so it's doubtful you'll need to worry about someone breaking into your room.

It's called Hawthotne Guest House or similar. They have openings only every few months.

[Minervah]

I suggest the OP look on Craig's List, Trulia or Padmapper. The many years I lived in Portland, all my rentals were month to month and the last place I lived at before I relocated to Cleveland just a year and a half ago is still month to month so they are out there.

[Ms_Christina]

Why not an extended stay hotel?

[Nell Plotts]

'Back in the day' most of the u-storage units included the first month for free..

[freemkt]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

'Back in the day' most of the u-storage units included the first month for free..

I assume the 'first month free' places require a 12-month agreement to get that free first month. Looks like the OP is looking to live with his stuff rather than store it

[Nell Plotts]

They didn't require a 12-month agreement 'back in the day' because many store stuff and don't empty their unit for many-many months. Of course everything is negotiable.

[bler144]

I had to shop for storage 2-3 months ago in East Portland, and think I called 4 before I even found an opening. And I'm paying about 50% more than what I'd expected to pay.

I think I'd mentioned here at the time that I'd made a reservation on the last available unit at one facility with a deposit, and their central office rented it out to someone else 3 hours later. On the upside, I got my deposit back.

While it's possible there are a few still offering first month free, much like renting an apt. those deals tend to come when the market is slack. Right now, just like housing, my sense is the storage market is very tight at least in many parts of the city.