Dibs...
I keep thinking about buying a house in Ladd's Addition (east portland on division and 12th). And then thinking...no, I should rent first, so that I can get a dog, because getting a dog is much less work, and it'll ease you into this responsibility thing. But it does seem like a good time to buy, since I read Portland currently has a huge glut of condos (which may or may not influence housing prices, I don't actually know) and the housing prices do seem to be dropping. Last year when I checked these smaller houses were in the 400k range. So maybe when it's time to move, I'll be buying a house? The thought is so scary!
But yeah, I check this site like once a month. Go down, house prices, go down! It's still a bit out of my league, but...tree lined! Yard for doggie! Want it! I know it's like Half the house you can buy in Beaverton or the suburbs, but to me it's worth it. It's historic and has parks inside the layout. Or maybe I'm reading too much Helprin.
Any chance I can recruit y'all to the neighborhood? It's closer to the city action, but the neighbors still play pick-up soccer/football every now and then - that's how I found it. And it's got these awesome historic houses from the 20s. And we could all live on the same street and go borrow sugar from each other and yes, it's true, I live in Fantasyland circa Leave it to Beaver. It's a happy place.
so bad
I want a house so badly. I am sooooo tired of apartment living, I'd even settle right now for renting a house.
I do agree with Karina though; I really like the idea of the houses in the neighborhoods May is talking about because they are so unique, but I feel I would grow out of them rather quickly because they are so small.
...
I definitely know what you mean, though now that I've lived in SF, I'm much more willing to bite the bullet and just live in the tiny place. (Considering I was paying $1350 for a 700 sq ft apt, paying the equivalent mortgage on one seems a much better deal). Benefits of coffins include a strong urge not to buy another thing, ever again. Cons include not having the space for another thing.
Check out the first link though - it's not as bad as what you describe...it was remodeled recently and has a huge yard. But I get dibs! :)
Some other ideas
We could all live in the same hall of the same apartment complex, dorm style.
We could start our own suburb outside of Portland, and call it Adamtopia. Or Adamland.
gonna need to start robbing banks
I actually share your dream of owning in the cuteness that are the neighborhoods of SE Portland, but the problem is that I live in the area already (renting an apt on 39th and Hawthorne) and have decided that the housing prices in this area are insane. I always see houses for sale when i go on walking through the neighborhoods, so let me paint a picture of what you get when you buy in this area-
- your house will be ~1000 sq ft
- if you are lucky enough to actually have a yard, it will be very very tiny and may or may not have grass (a lot of the "backyards" are actually concret pads!)
- the external paint will be peeling off
- the front porch will have cracks in the fountain and be at a serious tilt
- there will be a number of other "fixer-up" problems that will need addressing
- you will pay $400,000 for it
I have absolutely no problem with a house that has a little character to it. And I love the neighborhoods in this area cause they actually have a personality and each house is unique and different and fun. But paying $400k for a house that it roughly the size of a cardboard box and in about as good of shape is outrageous. I've always expected that my first house would need a little tender loving care, but i wasn't planning on paying that much for it!!
ok. bitter and sad rant session is over. this is why i still rent, even though at this point i should really own. i can't bear to leave this area but i can't afford to buy! *cry*