I was offered a good paying job in Portland, and I want to experience the city. I am a homeowner and I don't like the thought of renting anything. I have two homes in Utah, one is a rental which is fine, and the other is my primary residence that I don't want to rent out. I want to come home to it. I have too much stuff and vehicles to move anywhere. I'm a single guy with no pets.Is it a bad idea to take the job in Portland and live in my RV and just park it anywhere to sleep? It is small enough to drive around. (2005 Chinook 21 feet long)

Portland area is about 1.5 million now, so NO you cant park on the street, and spaces are usually at a premium. Winters are wet and can sometimes get down to the 20s usually with east winds. Getting around town is not too bad. There is light rail, and bus service. Light rail (max) is actually the best way to get into town. 68 years living in Portland area was enough for me.

A lot really depends on where your job is, down-town, ya, take the Max.Actually Max could be your ticket for a lotIf you job is "out" someplace, they probably have a large enough parking lot to accommodate the MH That being said, I'm racking my brain to think of a campground near a Max station...

The job is in an industrial area in NE Portland, I wouldn't use the MAX at all.

My experience is not Portland-specific, but west coast liberal cities in general tend to be very, very anti people living in Rvs, campers, etc. in public places. I think because they get so many people trying.What you probably COULD do, though, is find a driveway to rent for $100 a month or so. Or see if your work will let you park in their lot!

As my brain tumbles, that's a sometimes rough part of town. Maybe not a place I would want to park on the street.I know in Seattle there is a push to get the "parkless" RVs off the local streets.

Living in my RV to experience a new city... Portland, OR

hitchup
Explorer
Nov 19, 2015
We have relatives who have 30amp plugs in their driveways. IF you could find a homeowner to rent a site, you'd probably be okay. We couldn't use my sister's this summer driveway because we have a slide in the TC.

We stayed at Portland/Fairview and were very disappointed. First they said, we couldn't take the Lance off the truck and leave it. Then we tried to cancel and move to my cousins. But the person, said it was okay to drop off the TC. Then when we changed our itinerary and wanted to leave after 3 nights instead of 4, we wouldn't get a refund, we were just glad to get out of there.

BTW: Portland is Tiny Home Friendly.
gotsmart
Explorer
Nov 13, 2015
2gypsies wrote:
One thing to think about..if you own a home in Utah and work in Portland you will have a residency issue.

:h
I lived in New Hampshire and drove 15 miles into Massachusetts to my employer - for 10+ years. I paid non-resident income tax to MA. No big deal.

The OP is in an RV. What LEO is going to tag an RV with out-of-state plates for not registering in-state after 30 days? If that were true then every snowbird RV resort in the southwest would be a target rich environment for the state police.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Nov 13, 2015
One thing to think about..if you own a home in Utah and work in Portland you will have a residency issue.
vacuumbed
Explorer
Nov 13, 2015
Roy&Lynne wrote:
Here's an idea, maybe the place you work for will let you park in their parking lot overnight. You might need to get a solar panel for electricity, but its an idea.

I like this option, I'm going to ask.
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Nov 13, 2015
Here's an idea, maybe the place you work for will let you park in their parking lot overnight. You might need to get a solar panel for electricity, but its an idea.
vacuumbed
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
I have to be to work in Portland at 8 AM, too much of a nightmare in traffic to get across those bridges in the morning to get to Portland. And, chances are if there is a waiting list at all Portland RV parks that Vancouver is full too.
amandasgramma
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
Have you tried anything in the Vancouver, Wa area? Don't know if that would be convenient for your job or if they even have anything available
vacuumbed
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
punomatic wrote:
You might try Columbia River RV park in NE Portland. It's near the river, and there has been a lot of urban renewal there in the last several years.

This park is also full. The wait list is 22 people.
punomatic
Explorer
Nov 12, 2015
You might try Columbia River RV park in NE Portland. It's near the river, and there has been a lot of urban renewal there in the last several years.
Naio
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2015
vacuumbed wrote:
I think you're on to something. :B

Portland has a naked bike ride every summer to protest the use of big oil. Well, I drove to PDX from SLC in my gas guzzling 460 powered Ford van with my bicycle on board so I could attend the ride.

:: laughing ::