I don't know, I use an umbrella sometimes, and I've lived here since I was 15. Then again, I'm from SoCal originally.
😎
And, I gotta stick up for my home: SW (downtown) is a fun place to be, you're close to everything and likely paying significantly less than in NW, which is overpriced for P-town (although if you're accustomed to NY or LA rents, you'll be pleasantly surprised). NE and SE definitely have personality, but only if you're close in to downtown (50th st. or closer), and a lot of the "personality" in NE I can live without, not to mention all the goddamn hippies in SE. SW on the hill though (right by OHSU) is pretty boring, it would be better to live downtown since it's only a 5-10 min. commute from there ot OHSU anyway. The Mercury is a great weekly, you all should pick one up when you get in town just to see what's going on, although their rental listings are pretty meager. Willamette Week would be a much better bet for that purpose.
*word of advice* OHSU students can live in PSU student housing, they own several apartment buildings (all downtown) that are also open to students at other local public colleges and universities (incl. OHSU). I think the prices are kept at 85% of market value, which is still kind of spendy for Portland because of the location but a little bit better than what you'd pay to live in this area otherwise. You can check out what's available at
www.chnw.org/pages/future_01.cfm (click on the rental list).
I will combine my word of advice, however, with a *word of caution*: at least in my building, and this seems to be the case in much of PSU housing, there are TONS of frat-boy and jock types, unless that is your scene you may find yourself a little annoyed living with a bunch of beefy, neck-less guys who think it is hilarious to pull the fire alarm at 2 am. But it's all right otherwise.
🙄
