Portland moving info (Burns: sales, apartment, rental market)

[outdoorfun]

Need a little help and advice:
Thinking about moving to Portland to attend Portland State, starting in the fall maybe summer. I would be enrolled in the Health Studies program at Portland State, specializing in Exercise and Physical Activity. I have been reading the forum and there is such a range of opinions about Portland so any truthful advice or opinions, good or bad, would be great. A couple of things about me that might help with the advice.
1. I am a single man age 51.
2. I really enjoy outdoor activities (running, biking, hiking, etc...)
3. Liberal, but not militant.
4. Like diversity.
5. Looking for small apartment studio one bedroom.
6. Willing to work most any job, but have experience in all aspects of rest biz.

Any info concerning apartrments, employment, social scene for someone not in their 20-30s, outdoor social scene, and basic lifestyle info.
Thanka a lot!!!

[sayulita]

Originally Posted by outdoorfun

Need a little help and advice:
Thinking about moving to Portland to attend Portland State, starting in the fall maybe summer. I would be enrolled in the Health Studies program at Portland State, specializing in Exercise and Physical Activity. I have been reading the forum and there is such a range of opinions about Portland so any truthful advice or opinions, good or bad, would be great. A couple of things about me that might help with the advice.
1. I am a single man age 51.
2. I really enjoy outdoor activities (running, biking, hiking, etc...)
3. Liberal, but not militant.
4. Like diversity.
5. Looking for small apartment studio one bedroom.
6. Willing to work most any job, but have experience in all aspects of rest biz.

Any info concerning apartrments, employment, social scene for someone not in their 20-30s, outdoor social scene, and basic lifestyle info.
Thanka a lot!!!

"Truth" is very subjective. And just about everything you want to know can be found in this forum. There are tons of links and hundreds of opinions and facts. Spend a few hours (or days) reading through it and you'll soon come to your own conclusions.

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by outdoorfun

.......
1. I am a single man age 51.
2. I really enjoy outdoor activities (running, biking, hiking, etc...)
3. Liberal, but not militant.
4. Like diversity.
5. Looking for small apartment studio one bedroom.
6. Willing to work most any job, but have experience in all aspects of rest biz....

Restaurant worker wages are low in Portland, kind of a supply / demand for workers looking for employment.

Your age will be working against you. A lot, and I mean a lot of your competition will be at least 20 years younger.

It would be difficult to find a restaurant job before you move here, but finding a job once you move here will also be hard, at this current time. Be sure you have 6 moths or more reserve cash before you move here. Some rental properties will rent to unemployed newbies who have hope of attending PSU, with 1st and last month plus security and non-refundable cleaning deposits; maybe as much as $1600.00 down-payment.

The best place to get a feel of the rental rates in Portland is Craigslist. Well it was last fall anyway. In many highly desirable neighborhoods, landlords just post a sign on the buildings they have a vacancy, and don't bother with newspaper adds, or craigslist; that's all they have to do.

Also, try this site for the very lowest end of the rental market:
Housing Connections
Housing Authority of Portland (HAP) rental database.

Good luck.

Phil

[sofia76]

You might like the NW 23rd area of Portland - I'm thinking of the area within Burnside & Vaughn, and Macleay Park and the 405. It puts you right by Forest Park, and lots of restaurants. A lot of people in your age range, and reasonable walking/biking distances to downtown, Portland State University, and many bus lines - as well as the freeway. Studios in that area rent for $600-$700, typically. If you have a car, you'll have more options in terms of where to live, but you still need to think about parking at PSU.

[Leisesturm]

I personally don't think restaurants pay that badly here. In NYC the minimum wage is $6.15 and rest work pays 1/2 min wage plus tips. Shared tips. In OR min wage is $8.90 and rest work pays min wage plus tips. Shared or not I don't know but being there no sales tax I for one tip much better in Oregon than I ever did in NYC. What Phil did nail IMO was the o.p.'s age being a factor in outcomes. I hope the course in question isn't a four year degree program. Unfortunately anything less than that is worthless. I think a game plan that makes the most of existing skills and experience is the right move. Certification that maximizes the focus on the skill in question and doesn't waste time and money on ancilliary electives has got to be more practical than a degree course. JMO.

H