(August 21, 2014 at 4:18 pm)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote: It's been nearly six years since my ex threw me out - been renting a room ever since (excluding a brief period of homelessness), and I figure it's about time for me to find my own place.
You could try extending your search to the MAX-served metro area (assuming you haven't already, but you probably have so I'll just shut up...)
Otherwise, Vancouver is probably cheaper than Portland or the metro area. If you want cheaper areas around here you'd probably have to look at the far, far reaches of the MAX lines which also means loooooooong train rides, which, on top of being long, also means you're not close to "anything" which is seems you want to be.

Apartment hunting sucks. My condolences.
Teenaged X-Files obsession + Bermuda Triangle episode + Self-led school research project = Atheist.