Oooh girl do I have some tips for when you've got a final list down: - Definitely come by at night, not only for the safety aspect but also for the street noise! - Along those same lines: check how busy traffic gets around there (more cars = more noise and more pollution drifting up) - When you're viewing: walk around apartment and check your phone service (bars of service, how fast does your mobile data load, etc.), check if all the plugs work and if you can smell/see damp (don't know how old the apartments are that you're viewing). I would also open windows and doors to see how loud it is, and press your ear to the walls to see if you can hear the neighbours. - Ask the landlord about the neighbours (and be prepared for them to lie about how noisy they are!) - Check for how DIRECT an apartment is to your school/friends and family houses/places important to you, not necessarily how far away. Ten minutes down a highway is a way easier drive than ten minutes down backroads and through suburbs - Ask about bills - how much and how often - On your way out, check out the trash situation - is there a chute or do you have to lug bags down three flights of stairs? Are there piles of bags everywhere in the trash area? Can you see any animals/bugs? Is it ventilated? - Check in about visitor parking! - My last one can be a little nerdy - ask the landlord about vacancy rates for the building because it'll give you an idea about how often people move out. A higher rate when you can't see anything obviously wrong with the building means that there's something you won't find out about until after you move in!
Kiara when you pick 2 or 3, make sure to check out them in the night to see if the place is nice and safe when its late! And the last one i think is so beautiful!!! Good luck finding your new home! ❤️
**ADVICE** If you can, try to find an apartment where the kitchen is far away from the bedroom because cooking food near your bed can make the sheets stink, especially if you burn anything. Good luck! Thanks for the great content xo
@@KiaraMadisen Omg I didn't actually think you'd see this! Your productive habits are so inspirational, thank you for sharing so honestly! xo Also another quick tip; I'm from Australia and because it's mostly warm weather here it's not super common to use a dryer, so in winter if you want to air dry anything it's best to have a balcony to use, as damp washing inside can make your apartment super humid and sticky - especially if you have floorboards.
When I went apartment shopping last year I did something similar to you with the whole list of information with pros and cons for 10+ apartments. Then I did a last minute tour of a place in a totally different area than I was wanting to live and signed the contract on the spot! I still live there now and love it! Sometimes it's those random finds that work out the best.
Thanks for sharing your experience! That's honestly such a good point, sometimes it just feels right and you should go with that! Plus all your research beforehand can allow you to compare and know which place is truly the best :)
Apartment hunting can be very exciting! I don’t recall seeing the following on your spreadsheet, check to see if the apartment offers a discount for college students (also sometimes social media influencers get discount for showcasing the apartment complex and/or providing a review). I would say also having a washer and dryer inside the unit is also a big money saver! It would also be interesting to ask the apartment management how busy the area typically is because I’n assuming some may be less congested when the quarantine period is over. No matter what, I know you will find the right place that will meet your needs.
I love how organized you are! I will most definitely be making a spreadsheet when it's time for me to move into my first apartment aha! Can't wait for your moving vlogs!! :)
Well it's now time to wait for part 3 ! It's cool that all the appartment have a bunch of common areas (roof top, bar, gym...), from what I know there is nit much quite like that in France.
Hey! I had to find my first apartment during this crazy time too! :) I would recommend calling the places and see if they are willing to give you a FaceTime tour of a model/unit/amenities! When I was looking, I called and they offered a FaceTime tour of a model I was interested in and also explained more in detail of fees, what's included, etc. It was great since the photos online all showed "updated models" while the actual floor plane I was looking at was not updated (but also way cheaper!) but I would not have known if I hadn't called. I would do this closer to when you want to make a decision though, since when I called they also offered one month rent free. It may be different since I was looking in Phoenix, but worth a shot! Good luck! Can't wait to see the one you pick!! :))
This is such a good point! All the studio photos on like are so nice and i know they are just showing their most expensive units :/ Portland is starting to open up a bit and I know a few complexes are going to be open for in person tours by appointment soon so hopefully that will help! Thanks so much for all the advice! It's so appreciated ❤️
If you can actually go into the apartments, the first thing I always do is check water pressure (if the stuff is running) because that can sometimes make or break a place for me. Flush the toilets, run the sink, things of that nature. Sometimes it's overlooked but I find it helped to narrow down my choices, especially if some of the buildings are older. Good luck, girly!
Parking in Portland can be a nightmare! I live in a new apartment just over the Burnside bridge (on the Eastside) and love it. When we first moved in there was a list to get a spot in the parking garage, and priority was given to those with 2 bedroom apts. We eventually got a spot, but while we waited we had to park on the street - which was extremely difficult!! Something to consider; I do think places advertise parking but then you may have to wait for spot. The North Williams area is not sketchy at all and there are tons of things to do (I lived by that New Seasons for a few years)! But the traffic around there is very bad, especially if coming from the South in the evening!
Checking your cell reception, talking to current tenants about their experience living there and management, as well as visiting the area at night are all things I’ve done every time I’ve looked for apartments. Idk how that would work during quarantine but it’s definitely some things to keep in mind.
I just listened to the podcast and I’m so excited to see what you’ll be doing in the gap year and nursing school videos and your new apartment and lifestyle
when shopping, do you pay attention to the location in the sense of where the closest grocery store/gas station/mall/etc is? This is a big part in my shopping for apartments online right now
It is a good idea to do that. We moved into an apartment with the next supermarket being 1,5 miles away. It was always a hassle to shop because we were used to public transport. We finally caved and bought a car because the public transport only goes once an hour and on weekends only every 2 hours. It is super important to take all of this in consideration. Nevertheless, I love our apartment with the insane view and the peaceful environment.
Oh and one more thing. Make sure you fully document the exact condition your apartment is in when you first move in there. Take photos of every room from different angles. If there are any existing patches in the walls, make note of that and take a photo. Keep those photos stored away on the cloud somewhere. Then when you move out, do the exact same thing. Fully document with photos the condition that your apartment is in. That way if they try to add any extra “damages” costs on at the end, you can show them how it looked before and after you moved in/out. I’ve always been super meticulous about cleaning my apartments before moving out and have almost always had good experiences with rentals. But I did have one instance where they tried to charge me several hundred dollars in “damages” that didn’t exist. I thankfully had full photo evidence that it was in good condition and they dropped the issue.
Another fun and informative video, Kiara! I do hope you continue this as a series, with a few more "Apartment hunting" videos, followed by some moving in and shopping for apartment decor ones. I would really like to watch that! Keep up the awesome work! 😄
Hi Kiara! I highly suggest to drive by your top picks at night to get a feel of the neighborhood. Also maybe consider a 1 bed apartment..when I first started apartment hunting I was dead set on a studio, but after considering the smells from the kitchen that would cling to bedding I quickly changed my mind. Good luck with your journey! I can’t wait to see more videos! 😊
I know I wish a one bedroom was in the picture, but they are really expensive in Portland :/ I will for sure keep that in mind though. Realistically I don't see this as a super long term move so if I were able to upgrade in a year I would love that 😊
Love this! My dream place would be a penthouse in Pyrmont (Sydney) by the harbour/one in the NYC financial district/an apartment overlooking the Seine in Paris. One thing I'd say is I lived in a newbuild apartment and when I left even though it was spotless and I'd been there only 6 months, they really tried to screw me over with the bond/deposit because it's obviously 'lived in' so everything isn't as new as it was - so just be careful with that!
Wow those locations sound AMAZING! Thanks so much for that tip..that's really good to keep in mind...I hope by documenting everything really well & hopefully having reasonable landlords will allow me to avoid a situation like that, but you never know :/
@@KiaraMadisen for sure, documenting everything really helps and keeping in communication with the landlord :) Can't wait to see which you pick, I'm sure you'll find an amazing place
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices a bit more and you start reaching out for more information, make sure to ask them about any extra costs on top of the base costs. I’ve had quite a few additional costs added on in previous apartments such as: pet fees (obviously only if you have a pet), package delivery, trash collection, parking, laundry facilities, etc. Plus utilities are often not included in your base costs either. All of these things can add up to several hundred extra dollars per month that need to be budgeted for. You definitely want to know what you’re getting into, cost wise, before signing any leases. Oh, also make sure you know what type of lease-breaking policies they have. Would you be on the hook for paying out the remainder of your lease if you have to break it early? Or would you only have to pay a penalty fee to get out of it? You might not be planning on breaking your lease early but sometimes things happen that you aren’t expecting and you want to have the option to break your lease without having a massive penalty.
you could use the Kallax shelving unit from ikea as ur wall divider. It adds lots of storage and i could act as a wall while still making sure the space is open and airy.
I hope you find the apartment you like a lot. I know from experience how hard it can be to find a decent living space in these times. Love this content!
loving this series Kiara! I'm also apartment hunting right now for university in the UK, floor plans are saving me atm alongside taking myself on google maps street tours of the areas!
I watched your last video where you talked about Bridgetown lofts. I live in it and you can't hear the bridge from inside at all. It's really a great apartment. I've seen many, many and I like this one the best, management is great!
That's really good to know! Sadly there was only one studio available and the layout was not my fav, but I will for sure keep an eye out to see if more things open up because I love that area so much!
Loving these videos, it's so organized and detailed and filmed nicely. Also that color coded spreadsheet was everything❤🧡💛💚💙💜 good luck on finding your new home!!
I know that's so interesting how it varies from country to country! I think it's a way for them to set each building apart and raise the cost of rent. When I studied abroad in Spain the apartments did not have anything extra like this 😂
That new building seems nice. And I agree that area (the one you like) is also my favorite. Part 1 near the bridge was also nice 🤔 hopefully this pandemic will be over soon so you’ll be able to tour the actual apartment and see how the traffic &safety is around that area.
Hi! I used to live in the area at savier street flags, worked for LL Hawkins and covered a few times at George besaw. I will just say that if you want parking... Avoid besaw. The parking garage has this mechanical car stacker that I can vouge has broken down SO many times. Seriously, comping residents Ubers and stuff since there car would get stuck in there. At LL Hawkins, there will be construction for years. If you don't mind the noise, the constant traffic and road closures, then you're fine. Paying for garage parking is an absolute must at any of these places. Street parking like your dad mentioned is pass only but you could be parked several blocks away. Bottom line, parking anywhere in the street of NW/slabtown area is impossible. You'll have to pay for a garage. Feel free to ask me anything, I have tons of insight from living and working at a lot of these places.
I'll just say too, the homeless population is really severe in all of Portland. I know of several buildings you looked at that have their office, garage etc broken into so frequently. There have been an entire block of tents literally setup on sidewalks. My husband and I ended up moving to Beaverton, right near the Nike campus, after an incident where I was attacked by a homeless man outside my NW apartment. So, please be aware that is a total thing, everywhere you go in Portland. Not to discourage you at all because Portland is awesome, but you should definitely be very aware of the surroundings you're getting into.
as someone who is also trying to relocate to a new city, ask the places you're super interested in if they'd be able to give you any additional virtual tours or even do a facetime tour with you! I've found that the best places want to give you the most information as they can to help you in your apartment hunt
Advice for anyone that's apartment shopping, even in these virtual times: if you're really serious about a place, ask to see the actual apartment you'd be renting. If they aren't letting you physically tour, see if they'll film the empty apartment for you. If you're sensitive to noise, you won't want to be across from the elevator or an outside door. Also, a "downtown view" could really just be a view of a parking lot.
This video was so helpful! I'm about to be a senior in college and have a year of grad school directly after undergrad so I have some time before I start looking for places but this really gave me perspective and ideas on how to look for apartments. I'm from New York and go to school in New York and wanna live in Manhattan postgrad so the apartment hunt will look drastically different than yours but I will definitely use your tips and start thinking about apartment hunting!! Thank you for making these videos 😊
I live in Florida and I hate the weather here, so nasty and sweaty and sticky all the time. One reason why I want to more to Oregon other than college, lol 😂
Love these video's so much! The spreadsheet is amazing and super helpfull! For a room devider, you van use like a open shelving closet and close the other side of IT. Sorry for the bad explanation but look for it in Pinterest! Gives you more storage and it works really well!
I love that idea! I think that's a great option too so I can feel like each part of the room has a purpose! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
My dream place to live is in like a nice cozy cottage-y type area in Portland, Oregon. Nothing too big, I'm not planning on having kids ever so I wouldn't need much space. At most I'd have a wife, a cat, and maybe a dog. I love Kiara's type of aesthetic (with a few tweeks) for the interior of a home but for the outside in going for a more cozy cottage with character home.
In aus you wouldnt necessarily get a lobby with a common area (for games) where people hang out together or study desks!! Its interesting to see how other countries do apartment living
I know I think that is a relatively new perk in the buildings that have been built recently. The community living aspect and amenities definitely set each of the apartments apart :)
I would say as a young person in PDX the west side of the river is not the best as far as fun things to do food, bars, etc. It's very upscale and more of a 30+ wealthy professionals area. Being on the east side gets you closer to way cooler areas with cheaper options all around (the Cook St apartments are super close to the Mississippi and Alberta areas) and are not 'sketchy' at all (thanks gentrification.....). I live on the east side and pretty much never cross the river to do fun things because that's really just upscale stuff - more so for wealthy tourists and 'the yuppies' lol. Hope this gives a little perspective!
I really love your videos Kiara, lol I feel like we’re going through this together because I’m looking for an apartment for school, but after I graduate I want to move to Portland or either the metropolitan area of Seattle.
I feel in love with your Portland Apartment Shopping PT. 2, I was wondering if I could get a copy of your spreadsheet. I just accept a job in PDX at ad agency and learning more about the area but i am from boston.
Hello! I live at 10 @ Hoyt in the Pearl ☺️ it’s not high scale. But it’s really clean and company that owns it is awesome! I would say it one of the cheapest apartments in the Pearl. We love it the downside is I think the studio point into a courtyard area but have big windows. I live in a 1 bedroom and we face the Fremont and it’s so nice. Parking is $180 too.
Sooo I’m moving from the East Coast in March. The Carson looks great and after doing some research the rent is really affordable. Any tips or info you can give would be great. 😊
I live in NW Portland and the only way it’s affordable to be here is to check out the historic places (there is no short supply and many also have amenities). You’ll need to look at leasing company sites to find them but I went from looking at studios I could barely afford (legit the ones you’re looking at) to moving into a huge 1 bedroom within close walking distance of NW 23rd and 21st and the Pearl. If you’re really set on something brand new or super modern, then you’re starting to get on the right track on the inner east side which will be more affordable and often bigger, still has access to a lot of the same businesses that are also in NW, and parking is not a factor (I have a street perm it in NW and apart from late nights and Timbers games it’s not too hard to find parking, but it is HORRIBLE during those 2 times. Much more affordable tho-$180 a year for Zone M or you can get it cut to $90 a year if you make under 50k/year, which as also a decently recent grad most entry level jobs won’t make that).
So when exactly are you gonna find the perfect place to live? I’ll be moving soon too. I have never lived in a city before so I’m pretty nervous. Where finding a place in Barrie, ON,CAN.
I have to move in August by the latest, so for now I want to do all my research beforehand so I am ready to go if we find the right place, then hopefully have them hold it for 30 days until I am ready to move in and things with the virus calm down a bit :)
wow apartments are so nice in Portland. Since I live in Canada, I think Vancouver would be a great place to live, but it is extremely expensive, but I have always wanted to live on the West Coast since Im from central Canada.
Kiara Madisen I’ve never been there only been as far as Alberta but I very much like their milder weather that we don’t get during the winter in central Canada.
We moved into a brand new apartment, it has it's pros - being first in here etc but also cons like our shower and kitchen tap are broken and it has only been about 2 years. Bit sad really. It's not perfect that's for sure.
My dream place to live would probably live an apartment or a one story house in California :).Because i can’t really pay for a two story house so I rather live an area much more affordable
Omg when the screw came out of your camera, for some reason I thought it was a spider before you said what it was and when you reached out and picked it up I was like "😮." Anyway, great video as always!! All of these options look amazing so I hope you'll be happy with whichever one you decide! Is there any reason besides the lower cost that you're looking at studios instead of one bedrooms? I've considered both but I can't decide which one I'd like better!!
Omg it totally looks like a spider 😂 I'm really going the studio route for the price because I rather live in a nicer building in a good location, than in a one bedroom in a weird place. If you have the option though I would 100% go the one bedroom route. I have a ton of friends who HATED their studio. I know it's not going to be perfect, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, plus with one person I don't need too much extra space...it will force me to get rid of some of my stuff too which is good!
Love the video, I'm apartment hunting myself atm and it's really interesting to see someone else's process! One thing - you're consistently spelling aesthetic as aestetic - you might have your spellcheck set wrong?
Kiara(oregonian): "it's so hot today! I didn't know it was going to be 70 degrees today." Me(californian): "You call that hot!!, it's 105 where I live rn!"
Hi Kiara! I know you’re a busy woman but I am studying to become an elementary school teacher and have been looking at different states to teach in (I am from the midwest). I was wondering if you (or anyone who lives there) about teaching there, the environment of Oregon, and any helpful information! Thank you and I absolutely love your videos!
I wish I knew more about teaching in the area! I know there are some great schools in the Portland metro area so maybe check out some of the suburbs in the surrounding areas :) Oregon is a beautiful place to live!
Oooh girl do I have some tips for when you've got a final list down:
- Definitely come by at night, not only for the safety aspect but also for the street noise!
- Along those same lines: check how busy traffic gets around there (more cars = more noise and more pollution drifting up)
- When you're viewing: walk around apartment and check your phone service (bars of service, how fast does your mobile data load, etc.), check if all the plugs work and if you can smell/see damp (don't know how old the apartments are that you're viewing). I would also open windows and doors to see how loud it is, and press your ear to the walls to see if you can hear the neighbours.
- Ask the landlord about the neighbours (and be prepared for them to lie about how noisy they are!)
- Check for how DIRECT an apartment is to your school/friends and family houses/places important to you, not necessarily how far away. Ten minutes down a highway is a way easier drive than ten minutes down backroads and through suburbs
- Ask about bills - how much and how often
- On your way out, check out the trash situation - is there a chute or do you have to lug bags down three flights of stairs? Are there piles of bags everywhere in the trash area? Can you see any animals/bugs? Is it ventilated?
- Check in about visitor parking!
- My last one can be a little nerdy - ask the landlord about vacancy rates for the building because it'll give you an idea about how often people move out. A higher rate when you can't see anything obviously wrong with the building means that there's something you won't find out about until after you move in!
I was going to write a few tips my self, but you covered it all! 👏🏻🤩 Awesome comment!
Omg Hannah thank you so much for this thorough list! So helpful 😍
Kiara when you pick 2 or 3, make sure to check out them in the night to see if the place is nice and safe when its late! And the last one i think is so beautiful!!! Good luck finding your new home! ❤️
Thank you! That’s a super good tip I will for sure do that :)
Doing a driveby at different times of the day is so important. Also sit outside and see if you can people watch the people who live there too...
I'm loving this apartment series! You're so smart to make a spreadsheet on google sheets, super organized and well put together.! Love it all!
Yay that makes me so happy! Thank you so so much for watch 💕
**ADVICE**
If you can, try to find an apartment where the kitchen is far away from the bedroom because cooking food near your bed can make the sheets stink, especially if you burn anything.
Good luck! Thanks for the great content xo
Thanks so much for this tip! I hate weird smells and that’s something I haven’t thought about yet 😂
@@KiaraMadisen Omg I didn't actually think you'd see this! Your productive habits are so inspirational, thank you for sharing so honestly! xo
Also another quick tip; I'm from Australia and because it's mostly warm weather here it's not super common to use a dryer, so in winter if you want to air dry anything it's best to have a balcony to use, as damp washing inside can make your apartment super humid and sticky - especially if you have floorboards.
When I went apartment shopping last year I did something similar to you with the whole list of information with pros and cons for 10+ apartments. Then I did a last minute tour of a place in a totally different area than I was wanting to live and signed the contract on the spot! I still live there now and love it! Sometimes it's those random finds that work out the best.
Thanks for sharing your experience! That's honestly such a good point, sometimes it just feels right and you should go with that! Plus all your research beforehand can allow you to compare and know which place is truly the best :)
Apartment hunting can be very exciting! I don’t recall seeing the following on your spreadsheet, check to see if the apartment offers a discount for college students (also sometimes social media influencers get discount for showcasing the apartment complex and/or providing a review). I would say also having a washer and dryer inside the unit is also a big money saver!
It would also be interesting to ask the apartment management how busy the area typically is because I’n assuming some may be less congested when the quarantine period is over. No matter what, I know you will find the right place that will meet your needs.
It makes me anxious that you're showing everyone where you are interested in living 😅 Be safe girl!
Will do! I won't be announcing the exact apartment I choose for obvious reasons, but I want these videos to be a resource for others 😊
I love how organized you are! I will most definitely be making a spreadsheet when it's time for me to move into my first apartment aha! Can't wait for your moving vlogs!! :)
Yes! I highly recommend! Thanks so much for watching 💛
love these videos!! i can't wait to see what the future has in store for u as u grow up! :) love ya!
Thank you so much!! Love ya too 😘
Well it's now time to wait for part 3 !
It's cool that all the appartment have a bunch of common areas (roof top, bar, gym...), from what I know there is nit much quite like that in France.
I know it's fun that the buildings are becoming a bit more community based! Thanks so much for watching..I can't wait to share part 3 😊
Hey! I had to find my first apartment during this crazy time too! :) I would recommend calling the places and see if they are willing to give you a FaceTime tour of a model/unit/amenities! When I was looking, I called and they offered a FaceTime tour of a model I was interested in and also explained more in detail of fees, what's included, etc. It was great since the photos online all showed "updated models" while the actual floor plane I was looking at was not updated (but also way cheaper!) but I would not have known if I hadn't called.
I would do this closer to when you want to make a decision though, since when I called they also offered one month rent free. It may be different since I was looking in Phoenix, but worth a shot! Good luck! Can't wait to see the one you pick!! :))
This is such a good point! All the studio photos on like are so nice and i know they are just showing their most expensive units :/ Portland is starting to open up a bit and I know a few complexes are going to be open for in person tours by appointment soon so hopefully that will help! Thanks so much for all the advice! It's so appreciated ❤️
I miss your old college vlogs 🥺 realising that things would never been the same anymore , youre moving to an apartment now how time flies 😭
I know it's so crazy...don't worry this new place will feel like home too & I can't wait to share new and exciting aspects of my life!
If you can actually go into the apartments, the first thing I always do is check water pressure (if the stuff is running) because that can sometimes make or break a place for me. Flush the toilets, run the sink, things of that nature. Sometimes it's overlooked but I find it helped to narrow down my choices, especially if some of the buildings are older. Good luck, girly!
That’s a great tip! I honestly did not even think about that...I hope I can maybe tour with masks on if I’m really serious about a place 😊
Kiara Madisen You’re so welcome and good luck to you! I hope that everything works out for your apartment hunting. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Parking in Portland can be a nightmare! I live in a new apartment just over the Burnside bridge (on the Eastside) and love it. When we first moved in there was a list to get a spot in the parking garage, and priority was given to those with 2 bedroom apts. We eventually got a spot, but while we waited we had to park on the street - which was extremely difficult!! Something to consider; I do think places advertise parking but then you may have to wait for spot.
The North Williams area is not sketchy at all and there are tons of things to do (I lived by that New Seasons for a few years)! But the traffic around there is very bad, especially if coming from the South in the evening!
Thank you so so much for the advice Stacey! Serious means so much & is a great point to consider!
Checking your cell reception, talking to current tenants about their experience living there and management, as well as visiting the area at night are all things I’ve done every time I’ve looked for apartments. Idk how that would work during quarantine but it’s definitely some things to keep in mind.
Really great points! Thanks so much for the advice :)
I just listened to the podcast and I’m so excited to see what you’ll be doing in the gap year and nursing school videos and your new apartment and lifestyle
Yay! Thank you so much! I'm really excited 😊
when shopping, do you pay attention to the location in the sense of where the closest grocery store/gas station/mall/etc is? This is a big part in my shopping for apartments online right now
Yes! It is definitely something I have been taking note of! So important 👏🏼
It is a good idea to do that. We moved into an apartment with the next supermarket being 1,5 miles away. It was always a hassle to shop because we were used to public transport. We finally caved and bought a car because the public transport only goes once an hour and on weekends only every 2 hours. It is super important to take all of this in consideration. Nevertheless, I love our apartment with the insane view and the peaceful environment.
omg please make a part 3 I am loving these videos!!! The spreadsheets are honestly giving me life its such a smart idea!!!
Yes spreadsheets are so great! Thanks for watching the series! There will for sure be more of these :)
Oh and one more thing. Make sure you fully document the exact condition your apartment is in when you first move in there. Take photos of every room from different angles. If there are any existing patches in the walls, make note of that and take a photo. Keep those photos stored away on the cloud somewhere.
Then when you move out, do the exact same thing. Fully document with photos the condition that your apartment is in. That way if they try to add any extra “damages” costs on at the end, you can show them how it looked before and after you moved in/out.
I’ve always been super meticulous about cleaning my apartments before moving out and have almost always had good experiences with rentals. But I did have one instance where they tried to charge me several hundred dollars in “damages” that didn’t exist. I thankfully had full photo evidence that it was in good condition and they dropped the issue.
Oh boy that's so annoying...I will for sure document the condition very well! Thanks for the advice!
Another fun and informative video, Kiara! I do hope you continue this as a series, with a few more "Apartment hunting" videos, followed by some moving in and shopping for apartment decor ones. I would really like to watch that! Keep up the awesome work! 😄
Oh you know it! Can’t wait to take you guys along on the journey 💛
I’m gonna be apartment shopping in Portland when I graduate next year and this has been soooo helpful!!!
So happy to hear that! It is really fun in Portland because there are so many great options!
Hi Kiara! I highly suggest to drive by your top picks at night to get a feel of the neighborhood. Also maybe consider a 1 bed apartment..when I first started apartment hunting I was dead set on a studio, but after considering the smells from the kitchen that would cling to bedding I quickly changed my mind. Good luck with your journey! I can’t wait to see more videos! 😊
I know I wish a one bedroom was in the picture, but they are really expensive in Portland :/ I will for sure keep that in mind though. Realistically I don't see this as a super long term move so if I were able to upgrade in a year I would love that 😊
I live in Sydney Australia yet I’m so invested in this lol. Loving it kiara! Can’t wait to keep following your apartment journey xxxx
Omg I'm jealous 😍 Thanks so much for following along my journey!
Please make a part 3! My fiancée and I are wanting to make the move and your budget literally fits ours perfect so these videos are super helpful
Coming soon! Best of luck with your move!
The last apartment looked very nice. Yeah. part 3!
Oh yes a part 3 needs to happen! 👏🏼
@@KiaraMadisen , that would be nice.🙂
I’m moving to Portland in a month and am looking at all of the same buildings in NW! It is so helpful to hear your perspective. Thank you for sharing!
Glad it was helpful! Best of luck with your move!
Love this! My dream place would be a penthouse in Pyrmont (Sydney) by the harbour/one in the NYC financial district/an apartment overlooking the Seine in Paris. One thing I'd say is I lived in a newbuild apartment and when I left even though it was spotless and I'd been there only 6 months, they really tried to screw me over with the bond/deposit because it's obviously 'lived in' so everything isn't as new as it was - so just be careful with that!
Wow those locations sound AMAZING! Thanks so much for that tip..that's really good to keep in mind...I hope by documenting everything really well & hopefully having reasonable landlords will allow me to avoid a situation like that, but you never know :/
@@KiaraMadisen for sure, documenting everything really helps and keeping in communication with the landlord :) Can't wait to see which you pick, I'm sure you'll find an amazing place
with the wall to divide there are some really great DIY ideas on Pinterest you could do :)
That’s really good to keep in mind! I’m going to start getting some ideas from there! ❤️
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices a bit more and you start reaching out for more information, make sure to ask them about any extra costs on top of the base costs.
I’ve had quite a few additional costs added on in previous apartments such as: pet fees (obviously only if you have a pet), package delivery, trash collection, parking, laundry facilities, etc. Plus utilities are often not included in your base costs either.
All of these things can add up to several hundred extra dollars per month that need to be budgeted for. You definitely want to know what you’re getting into, cost wise, before signing any leases.
Oh, also make sure you know what type of lease-breaking policies they have. Would you be on the hook for paying out the remainder of your lease if you have to break it early? Or would you only have to pay a penalty fee to get out of it?
You might not be planning on breaking your lease early but sometimes things happen that you aren’t expecting and you want to have the option to break your lease without having a massive penalty.
Love these tips! Package delivery fees sound outrageous...ugh
you could use the Kallax shelving unit from ikea as ur wall divider. It adds lots of storage and i could act as a wall while still making sure the space is open and airy.
That's a great idea!
ive never been apartment shopping! I feel like there's SOO much for me to learn about it
There really is! It has been quite the adventure because I do have so many options!
I cool tip would be to drive at night in there, so you could feel the vibe, if is safe or not kinda things ☺️
That's a great idea! When I narrow it down to the top 5 I will for sure be doing that 👍🏼
I hope you find the apartment you like a lot. I know from experience how hard it can be to find a decent living space in these times. Love this content!
I hope so too! Thanks so much for watching and commenting Lola 💕
loving this series Kiara! I'm also apartment hunting right now for university in the UK, floor plans are saving me atm alongside taking myself on google maps street tours of the areas!
Omg this is ME 😂 Love how we are getting resourceful during this time...best of luck on your apartment hunt :)
I watched your last video where you talked about Bridgetown lofts. I live in it and you can't hear the bridge from inside at all. It's really a great apartment. I've seen many, many and I like this one the best, management is great!
That's really good to know! Sadly there was only one studio available and the layout was not my fav, but I will for sure keep an eye out to see if more things open up because I love that area so much!
Hi from Japan. I lived in Portland OR, so your video reminds me the life in Portland. Love ya💓
Aww that makes me so happy! Thank you so much for watching, hope you're doing well during this time :)
Loving these videos, it's so organized and detailed and filmed nicely. Also that color coded spreadsheet was everything❤🧡💛💚💙💜 good luck on finding your new home!!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! You made my night 💕
Advice: when you find your top favs go in the morning, afternoon, and night to see what the street noise is like!
Oh love this tip! 👏🏼 Thank you!
I am confused. These apartments seem like hotels/hostels with all the amenities. That's very rare here in Europe.
exactly what I was thinking :)
I know that's so interesting how it varies from country to country! I think it's a way for them to set each building apart and raise the cost of rent. When I studied abroad in Spain the apartments did not have anything extra like this 😂
Nice new apartment blocks look like hotels in cities in England too
Haha same here
If you get to see any of the ones you’ve narrowed down, definitely check the cell service and water pressure! Those are the two things I always check!
That’s a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion 😊👍🏼
Your videos make my day
❤️ I have watched them since you started college
That means so much to me wow! Thank you so much for following my journey so far!
That new building seems nice. And I agree that area (the one you like) is also my favorite. Part 1 near the bridge was also nice 🤔 hopefully this pandemic will be over soon so you’ll be able to tour the actual apartment and see how the traffic &safety is around that area.
omg ive never clicked so quickly ! love you kiara keep up the good work🦋🤍
Thanks Chloe! Iove ya! 💕
this video is just so aesthetic!! can’t wait to see what you choose ❤️
I know I’ll being giving you a full tour ASAP 😘😘
Hi! I used to live in the area at savier street flags, worked for LL Hawkins and covered a few times at George besaw. I will just say that if you want parking... Avoid besaw. The parking garage has this mechanical car stacker that I can vouge has broken down SO many times. Seriously, comping residents Ubers and stuff since there car would get stuck in there. At LL Hawkins, there will be construction for years. If you don't mind the noise, the constant traffic and road closures, then you're fine. Paying for garage parking is an absolute must at any of these places. Street parking like your dad mentioned is pass only but you could be parked several blocks away. Bottom line, parking anywhere in the street of NW/slabtown area is impossible. You'll have to pay for a garage. Feel free to ask me anything, I have tons of insight from living and working at a lot of these places.
I'll just say too, the homeless population is really severe in all of Portland. I know of several buildings you looked at that have their office, garage etc broken into so frequently. There have been an entire block of tents literally setup on sidewalks. My husband and I ended up moving to Beaverton, right near the Nike campus, after an incident where I was attacked by a homeless man outside my NW apartment. So, please be aware that is a total thing, everywhere you go in Portland. Not to discourage you at all because Portland is awesome, but you should definitely be very aware of the surroundings you're getting into.
Wow thank you so so much for the advice! That is really great to know!
I liked all of them 🙈 so new and beautiful and you are so organized 😻😻👍
Thank you! I know it's getting pretty hard to narrow them down!
Loving this series, Kiara!!
LOL the way you pronounce "maestro" kills me.
haha opps 🙈 Thanks so much for watching anyway 😘
as someone who is also trying to relocate to a new city, ask the places you're super interested in if they'd be able to give you any additional virtual tours or even do a facetime tour with you! I've found that the best places want to give you the most information as they can to help you in your apartment hunt
That's a great idea! I am for sure going to start to do that when I have a more narrow list 👍🏼 Best of luck with your relocation!
Advice for anyone that's apartment shopping, even in these virtual times: if you're really serious about a place, ask to see the actual apartment you'd be renting. If they aren't letting you physically tour, see if they'll film the empty apartment for you. If you're sensitive to noise, you won't want to be across from the elevator or an outside door. Also, a "downtown view" could really just be a view of a parking lot.
YESS this is such good advice 👏🏼
This video was so helpful! I'm about to be a senior in college and have a year of grad school directly after undergrad so I have some time before I start looking for places but this really gave me perspective and ideas on how to look for apartments. I'm from New York and go to school in New York and wanna live in Manhattan postgrad so the apartment hunt will look drastically different than yours but I will definitely use your tips and start thinking about apartment hunting!! Thank you for making these videos 😊
That makes me so happy! I 'm so excited for your future, you sound like you have an amazing plan to chase your dreams. Thanks for watching 💕
I love all your videos! Really need them during this time
I'm so glad! Hope you're staying sane 💛
Hey! I live in the Portland area as well. I would definitely drive around the apartments at night especially in the pearl district.
This is great advice! I will for sure do that before deciding on the final one :)
I love how u care about details
I really do...I don't like to rush into things without doing my research 😂
“I didn’t know it was gonna be so hot today, it’s like 70 degrees” me dealing with 95 degree weather sitting here like 👁👄👁
lol Oregon weather is so mild! I wish it was a nice 75 😂 I just shouldn't have worn a sweatshirt that day!
I live in Florida and I hate the weather here, so nasty and sweaty and sticky all the time. One reason why I want to more to Oregon other than college, lol 😂
I’m all week waiting for your videos 😍
Aww thanks!! Hope you're doing well!
I grew up in North Portland (specifically St. Johns) so welcome to the North Portland area!
Such an amazing spot! Thanks so much for watching!
Love these video's so much! The spreadsheet is amazing and super helpfull! For a room devider, you van use like a open shelving closet and close the other side of IT. Sorry for the bad explanation but look for it in Pinterest! Gives you more storage and it works really well!
I love that idea! I think that's a great option too so I can feel like each part of the room has a purpose! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
@@KiaraMadisen ❤️❤️
My dream place to live is in like a nice cozy cottage-y type area in Portland, Oregon. Nothing too big, I'm not planning on having kids ever so I wouldn't need much space. At most I'd have a wife, a cat, and maybe a dog. I love Kiara's type of aesthetic (with a few tweeks) for the interior of a home but for the outside in going for a more cozy cottage with character home.
That sounds so amazing (my dream too btw) 😍 I love places with character :)
In aus you wouldnt necessarily get a lobby with a common area (for games) where people hang out together or study desks!! Its interesting to see how other countries do apartment living
I know I think that is a relatively new perk in the buildings that have been built recently. The community living aspect and amenities definitely set each of the apartments apart :)
When you move out, no more Doug!!!! Thanks for all the laughs, Doug
Lol I told Doug this & he said to tell the people that he will be visiting a lot 😂
I’ve been apartment shopping in Portland during all of this covid craziness, so I’m right there with ya😅
Omg yes! it's quite the adventure! Hope you found a place!
Yes!!! The spreadsheets are iconic🤍🤍
haha for real 😂 Thanks so much for watching & commenting!
I would say as a young person in PDX the west side of the river is not the best as far as fun things to do food, bars, etc. It's very upscale and more of a 30+ wealthy professionals area. Being on the east side gets you closer to way cooler areas with cheaper options all around (the Cook St apartments are super close to the Mississippi and Alberta areas) and are not 'sketchy' at all (thanks gentrification.....). I live on the east side and pretty much never cross the river to do fun things because that's really just upscale stuff - more so for wealthy tourists and 'the yuppies' lol. Hope this gives a little perspective!
Thank you so so much for the perspective! Seriously great points to keep in mind 😊
I really love your videos Kiara, lol I feel like we’re going through this together because I’m looking for an apartment for school, but after I graduate I want to move to Portland or either the metropolitan area of Seattle.
I did the same thing and my boyfriend and I found the most perfect apartment for the both of us
I'm so glad! That gives me a lot of hope that I will find the perfect spot for me!
I feel in love with your Portland Apartment Shopping PT. 2, I was wondering if I could get a copy of your spreadsheet. I just accept a job in PDX at ad agency and learning more about the area but i am from boston.
So exciting! I totally got you...what's your email??
@@KiaraMadisen aliadashthompson@gmail.com. You are so amazing! Manifesting we met one day in PDX and grab drinks so I have cool friends
You brought your compass last time, which way is the best side to favor? West for afternoon sun? Which direction would favor the most light? South?
Yep you’re spot on! I would love south or west facing windows :)
Hello! I live at 10 @ Hoyt in the Pearl ☺️ it’s not high scale. But it’s really clean and company that owns it is awesome! I would say it one of the cheapest apartments in the Pearl. We love it the downside is I think the studio point into a courtyard area but have big windows. I live in a 1 bedroom and we face the Fremont and it’s so nice. Parking is $180 too.
Thank you so so much for sharing Abigail! It’s definitely still on my list and the price point is a huge plus 😊
Sooo I’m moving from the East Coast in March. The Carson looks great and after doing some research the rent is really affordable. Any tips or info you can give would be great. 😊
I live in NW Portland and the only way it’s affordable to be here is to check out the historic places (there is no short supply and many also have amenities). You’ll need to look at leasing company sites to find them but I went from looking at studios I could barely afford (legit the ones you’re looking at) to moving into a huge 1 bedroom within close walking distance of NW 23rd and 21st and the Pearl. If you’re really set on something brand new or super modern, then you’re starting to get on the right track on the inner east side which will be more affordable and often bigger, still has access to a lot of the same businesses that are also in NW, and parking is not a factor (I have a street perm it in NW and apart from late nights and Timbers games it’s not too hard to find parking, but it is HORRIBLE during those 2 times. Much more affordable tho-$180 a year for Zone M or you can get it cut to $90 a year if you make under 50k/year, which as also a decently recent grad most entry level jobs won’t make that).
Thank you so so much for the tips and advice! So helpful!
part 3 part 3!!
Omg you know it ;) 💕
I love the vibe of this vlog , and just found a new fav song , weather.. by cody 🥺❤️
Yay that makes me so so happy!
This is so awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
I love you so much and when you move please make a video like you did for college
You know it 👏🏼 Thanks for watching!
This series is cool!!!
So glad you're liking it! Thanks for watching 💕
hi kiara, I really love your videos! 🤍
Thanks so much for watching them!
yay part 2!!!!
That wait is over 🎉
Hey kiara, do you think you can do a quarantine night routine video?
❤
Maybe!
So when exactly are you gonna find the perfect place to live? I’ll be moving soon too. I have never lived in a city before so I’m pretty nervous. Where finding a place in Barrie, ON,CAN.
I have to move in August by the latest, so for now I want to do all my research beforehand so I am ready to go if we find the right place, then hopefully have them hold it for 30 days until I am ready to move in and things with the virus calm down a bit :)
Yayyy I've been waiting for this!
Yay! The wait is over 👏🏼
wow apartments are so nice in Portland. Since I live in Canada, I think Vancouver would be a great place to live, but it is extremely expensive, but I have always wanted to live on the West Coast since Im from central Canada.
I totally agree! I fell in love with Vancouver Canada when I went there 😍
Kiara Madisen I’ve never been there only been as far as Alberta but I very much like their milder weather that we don’t get during the winter in central Canada.
Love everything!!! 💓
Aww yay! There are so many good options! 💕
part 3 please!!🤞🏼
You got it!
What a crazy time we live in
if you really want a wall, you can DIY one and it's not that difficult, my best friend did it in her studio!!!
So true! There are some creative things on Pinterest!
If you find an apartment that is a studio without a separating wall, I'm sure you could find a partition that separates the spaces.
So true! 💛
We moved into a brand new apartment, it has it's pros - being first in here etc but also cons like our shower and kitchen tap are broken and it has only been about 2 years. Bit sad really. It's not perfect that's for sure.
Park 19 is great; my best friend’s fiancé lived there last year :)
Good to know! It had really high customer ratings which is a good sign :)
My dream place to live would probably live an apartment or a one story house in California :).Because i can’t really pay for a two story house so I rather live an area much more affordable
I agree...living within your means is so important!
here before u hit a million subs 😌
aww ily 💕
Omg when the screw came out of your camera, for some reason I thought it was a spider before you said what it was and when you reached out and picked it up I was like "😮." Anyway, great video as always!! All of these options look amazing so I hope you'll be happy with whichever one you decide! Is there any reason besides the lower cost that you're looking at studios instead of one bedrooms? I've considered both but I can't decide which one I'd like better!!
Omg it totally looks like a spider 😂 I'm really going the studio route for the price because I rather live in a nicer building in a good location, than in a one bedroom in a weird place. If you have the option though I would 100% go the one bedroom route. I have a ton of friends who HATED their studio. I know it's not going to be perfect, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, plus with one person I don't need too much extra space...it will force me to get rid of some of my stuff too which is good!
Love the video, I'm apartment hunting myself atm and it's really interesting to see someone else's process! One thing - you're consistently spelling aesthetic as aestetic - you might have your spellcheck set wrong?
Omg I totally do 😂🙈 thanks for letting me know! Best of luck on your apartment hunt too 😘
feeling like LL Hawkins will be the one seeing ur dads expressions😅 #cute #excited
haha I know I love that one...sadly there's not a ton of availability there :/
@@KiaraMadisen ohh :(....no worries we have many options❤❤
Kiara(oregonian):
"it's so hot today! I didn't know it was going to be 70 degrees today."
Me(californian):
"You call that hot!!, it's 105 where I live rn!"
Allison Brewer we get that too in Australia. Hottest day was 48 c ( I think the conversion is 118 f)
lol I know I am not used to the heat 😂😂😂
@@KiaraMadisen neither am i. I'm a cold winter girl 🤣🤣
@@KiaraMadisen Yeah, I want to move to Oregon the temperature is amazing there!!
It's like sorority rush for the apartment complexes.
Omg yes 😂😂😂 Who will make it past round 1 & 2???
omg one of the most helpful videos!!!!
Yes I do! I used Apartmentlist.com and trulia.com too :)
300k is coming❤❤❤❤
A literal dream 💕
I would love to live by the ocean in Hawaii or Australia. Or even in Brazil, where I live now, but by the sea.
Hi Kiara! I know you’re a busy woman but I am studying to become an elementary school teacher and have been looking at different states to teach in (I am from the midwest). I was wondering if you (or anyone who lives there) about teaching there, the environment of Oregon, and any helpful information! Thank you and I absolutely love your videos!
I wish I knew more about teaching in the area! I know there are some great schools in the Portland metro area so maybe check out some of the suburbs in the surrounding areas :) Oregon is a beautiful place to live!
Yay! Part two 😁
👏🏼🎉