The Multnomah Villager

No, this isn’t a rant about renters, in fact we’re kind of feeling sorry for them at this moment. Of course, that assumes that there are any renters LEFT in the Village and environs. We hear from Mrs. V’s friend down at John’s Market that the Multnomah Village Townhouses are going condo. That’s the funky little wooden shingle mansardish roofed complex immediately east of the viaduct, right next door to the auto repair place. Word is that they’re going to be $279,000. Now 2BR/2BA and 1100 square feet for 279K is a good price if you’re talking about a house in the Village, but for an apartment? One of those apartments?! I think not, thanks. Man, we really got a steal of a deal when we bought our house almost ten years ago for less that 200K - that kind of price would be like winning the lottery now. To think that it takes almost 300 grand to get into a condo under the bridge right off of Multnomah Boulevard? I definitely feel for anyone trying to get started as a homeowner these days, and I know what we all think about apartment complexes and renters, but can’t we preserve SOME space for people that choose to or have to rent? Part of the charm of the Village has been it’s accessibility. I’d hate to think of us losing that, ’cause we are, bit by bit.

It’s not that I’m anti-change. In fact I’m likely more pro-business than 80% of the neighborhood, and I am behind the idea of people owning their own homes and condos (for the tax benefits if nothing else) but it’s been hard to see the prices climb so high in Portland (and everywhere else). I had enough trouble getting into a house, how is my son going to do it?

This entry was posted on Monday, January 29th, 2007 at 9:00 am and is filed under Housing, ch-ch-ch-changes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.