Top 4 Things to know if you are moving to Oregon to work at Intel
So if you find yourself reading this blog its probably because you are planning to work at one of the Intel campuses in Hillsboro or Aloha.First, Welcome to beautiful Portland Oregon!
Intel is one of, if not THE, biggest employers in Washington county and we are glad to have them here.
There are several things to know when making this move so let me give you the top 4 things to know if you are moving to Oregon to work at Intel. This is from the perspective of a Realtor who works with many Intel employees.
1.) Rent or Buy?
You may not know the area all that well and you may be trying to get out to Oregon quickly to start work. Often times I get a call from someone who is referred to me that is thinking of buying as they make their move to the area. While I'm happy to help, I often times recommend my clients take a moment to consider whether renting or buying is right for them. If you rent, that means signing a 6 month to 1 year lease and paying aggressive rates for rents. The rental market in Portland is very competitive and rents can be much higher than an actual mortgage payment. However, renting gives you the ability to settle into the area, become familar with various locations and determine which part of town best suits your lifestyle.
If you decide to buy then the very next step is to work closely with a good agent, like myself. A good agent will understand your needs in a house, desires of lifestyle, how soon you need to buy and what commute you can expect so you know how far you may need to drive to your job and what the traffic patterns look like. which leads me to point #2
2.) Commute Time
Whether you rent or buy...the commute matters! If you rent it can be temporary; while buying considers far more thought because that will be your commute! If you decide to buy a home in the Portland metropolitan area you will want to know how long commutes take based on location. Some communities in Portland can be deceptive in their commutes! There are places that are closer proximity wise to Intel campus but because the roads get so conjested they may have a far longer commute than areas farther out. Next, know your lifestyle. I've sold condos in downtown portland and as far out at NE & Happy Valley to Intel clients depending on needs, wants & lifestyles! However I find most of my Intel clients want to stay within 15-30 mins of driving time to get to and from work. If that is the case, are you going to work at Ronler Acres or Jones Farm campus in Hillsboro? Or are you working at AFO in Aloha? While these campuses are not that far from one another they are far enough that taking back roads or driving freeways comes in to play.
Commutes to Intel Campus based on Locations
5-15 Minutes commutes to Ronler Acres Intel Campus & Jones Farm Campus
15-30 Minutes commute from Ronler Acres Campus & Jones Farm Campus
5-15 Minute commutes to AFO Aloha Intel Campus
15-30 Minute commute to AFO Aloha Intel Campus
30-45+ minute commute from Ronler Acres Intel & Jones Farm Intel Campus
30-45+ Minute Commute from AFO Aloha Intel Campus
1 Hour+ Press Here to see homes & communities for all Intel Campus
#3 Lifestyle
While most people say they want so much square feet, bedrooms and yard size there are other factors that are VERY important to consider! Do you have children and does the school district matter? Do you like yard work or minimal yard care? Do you want a country setting? Do you want a condo downtown and be close to downtown amentities? Do you forsee riding your bike to work or taking public transportation? All of these questions and more play into what lifestyle you want and see yourself in and then aiming to find the right housing to fit that.
#4 How Long Do you plan to live in your home that you buy?
I always tell my clients plan on a 3-5 year commitment when you buy a house. If you don't think you'll be in Oregon long or don't have a sense of how long you will stay in the area, perhaps evaluate the rent vs buy a littel more clearly. I prefer my clients put money into their own asset as opposed to renting, but there are times when one makes more sense then the other.
If you are making a move to Portland Oregon, give me a call so I can help you evaluate what makes most sense!
Anne Stewart CRS, ABR, GRI, ePRO
Principal Broker
#503-804-1466 DIRECT
Real Estate Enthusiast for the Portland Metropolitan Area
Comments(6)