(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.
My must-have requirements are pretty light - I want to be close enough to work in the downtown so that I can take mass transit (or alternatively, at least close enough so that I no longer have to cross the Columbia river with the freeway nightmare that entails), I need a place to park my car, and it's gotta have a dishwasher. Washer/dryer hookup would be nice, onsite coin-op or nearby laundromat is acceptable. Other than that, it's just got to be in a reasonably safe part of town.
Easy, right?
Wrong.
OK, I haven't officially rented in nearly 20 years. Things haven't changed that much, right?
Wrong.
Advertisements lie. (OK, so that hasn't changed).
A hint to advertisers and property managers:
* A 30-60 mile commute to downtown is not "close-in". Nor is it "close to everything". I think it could more accurately be described as "way the fuck out" and "not anywhere near anything, ever".
* A 300 square foot studio for $900 "near" one of the more desirable areas (The Pearl), but actually in one of the least desirable areas (Old Town) is not a "great deal". It's more like prison rape than a good deal.
* The junkyard district is not a "great area".
At this rate, it's going to be weeks before I even find something I want to look at.
Advice from someone who spent 1.5 years moving 17 times. Go to the areas you're interested in living in and look for "For Rent" signs. Write down the numbers. Go home and call each of them asking your important questions. Based on your answers either mark it off your list or ask for an appointment to view the unit.
Don't bother looking up ads online. It will take you months to even find any places you're interested in.
