Public transport in Portland? (apartments, rentals, bad credit)

[natashasimone]

Hello all.

I have always had an interest in moving to Portland. I briefly visited a long time ago, but was only there for a few days, so I didn't get a chance to get a real feel for the city. To be honest, it was just one big party and a blur. (During my university heydays!)

My husband and I presently reside in the Southeast of England. (We are both American. He's from the south and I am from the north.)

We have been talking about where we might consider moving to after my work permit in the UK is finished in a year. We might stay here, or we might head back to the States. It depends on a lot of variables that are too numerous and personal to mention online.

I did want to do a bit of research though.

One of the things that we truly love about living here in England is that we don't need to have a car. I sold my car before we moved here a few months back. I really enjoy not having a car. It takes off a financial burden, and I don't have to worry about repairs, gasoline prices, maintenance, etc... My husband feels the same way. So, we would be interested in moving to an area where they would be good public transport.

What's the situation with public transport in Portland? Is it like so many other American cities where you still should have a car in order to be able to accomplish anything?

What are the best areas in Portland to not own a car in?

Lastly, although the title of the thread is not about the cost of living, can someone give me a decent approximation of the cost of one bedroom apartments or housing? Another great thing about life in England has been that there are plenty of non-corporate living accommodations. I have terrible credit, and my husband's isn't much better. We had a lot of difficulties finding places in the States. It doesn't seem to matter that two people are trying to start over and make a new life for themselves.

There should be at least ONE "get out of jail free" card with bad credit, as sometimes people get into situations that are over their heads. (Another reason why we don't want to have a car. I don't want to pay high interest rates for a loan until my credit is at a much better place. In fact, truth be told, I don't want a car anymore. I love being able to use my feet to get to whereever I need to get to.)

I am looking for a place that has some of the same qualities that I have found in England: Public transport, rental accommodation through private individuals instead of corporations, etc...

Thanks in advance.

[Leisesturm]

There are not that many cities Portlands size with as extensive a mass transit system. That said, I think you will want to live within spitting distance of the Blue Line of the MAX light rail and supplement with the occasional bus or busses that still leaves you a 30 mile swath of PDX to research, get cracking. South England is more expensive than the north. In America the expensive cities are well known, most hover around a loosely defined middle and a few are relative bargains. Relative because they won't likely have the kind of infrastructure you have become used to. PDX IMO has what you are looking for. There are independent rentals but you will have to look hard. Being independent is no guarantee they won't want your credit score and use that to deny you. It isn't a regional thing, it isn't a British or American thing. It's life in the 21st Century

H.

[jiffin4java]

You can look for rentals on Craigslist. Seems like most people are starting to advertise their rentals there more often because it's free. Good luck to you!

[natashasimone]

Cheers for the replies.

I am encouraged by the fact that Portland has a great public transport system. I am originally from the Northeast, and although I could move to New Jersey without having a car, I would not be able to afford it. My parents are in the Poconos, and I miss it very much...but again, it's impossible to exist without a car, and there aren't many jobs in a close area. I would have to commute, and I really like the idea of not having a car. I don't mean to sound like a hippy, but I feel a bit better that I am using public transport instead of burning petrol.

I know that the credit score situation is the same all over the world. We got lucky in England, as most places don't deal with international credit checks, and there are still strict laws that govern that, I am told. The letting agency only checked our credit within the country. However, the landlady liked us, and promised to give us the place even if we failed the credit check. We didn't, obviously, as we had never lived here. Only one place that we went to wanted to do an international credit check.

I am curious if the cost of living here is closer to being on par with life in the Northeast--perhaps NJ, Boston, etc...

Is Portland cheaper than Seattle to reside in?

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by natashasimone

Cheers for the replies.

I am encouraged by the fact that Portland has a great public transport system. I am originally from the Northeast, and although I could move to New Jersey without having a car, I would not be able to afford it. My parents are in the Poconos, and I miss it very much...but again, it's impossible to exist without a car, and there aren't many jobs in a close area. I would have to commute, and I really like the idea of not having a car. I don't mean to sound like a hippy, but I feel a bit better that I am using public transport instead of burning petrol.

I know that the credit score situation is the same all over the world. We got lucky in England, as most places don't deal with international credit checks, and there are still strict laws that govern that, I am told. The letting agency only checked our credit within the country. However, the landlady liked us, and promised to give us the place even if we failed the credit check. We didn't, obviously, as we had never lived here. Only one place that we went to wanted to do an international credit check.

I am curious if the cost of living here is closer to being on par with life in the Northeast--perhaps NJ, Boston, etc...

Is Portland cheaper than Seattle to reside in?

Portland does indeed have a very good mass transit system and it's getting better.

I think you will find the cost of living cheaper than an area like Boston- especially in apartments & electricity. And while Portland doesn't have near the history or "old town" feel to it that Boston has, it's much cleaner and both the mountains & ocean beaches are very close by.

As to Seattle, we may be a tad cheaper right now, but that state is sinking into the abyss and it could be that Portland will be more expensive within a couple of years.

[EnricoV]

According to Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed, link removed, cost of living in Seattle is 21% more expensive than Portland. Boston is 17%. Northern New Jersey (I tried a couple different cities) is about 3% cheaper.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

According to Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed, link removed, cost of living in Seattle is 21% more expensive than Portland. Boston is 17%. Northern New Jersey (I tried a couple different cities) is about 3% cheaper.

Good find.

[natashasimone]

Thanks for all the great replies!

My next question would be regarding the job market... I am a teacher, but after I teach out this year in England, I am strongly considering taking a few years off to focus on going back to University and becoming a Librarian. (There is a wonderful on-line program through a university in Pennsylvania that is accredited with the American Library Assocation.)

With that said, I would default back to doing what I did when I was a student: working as a secretary or administrative assistant. I have very strong office skills and copious experience as an admin. assistant.

I also have some experience in the social services field, having worked three summers in a row at a group home for at-risk youths.

My husband has experience with computer repair. He has started his own computer repair business here in England and has had some success, even with the "credit crunch" here in England. The British economy is in a very sad state at the moment. I know it's tough all over though. Being such a small country, it's really noticeable here.

I really do appreciate all the help and suggestions. I know that August is a long way off, but when thinking about relocating, there never seems to be enough time to prepare.