My partner, Jake, and I have big dreams of purchasing our own home within the next couple of years. We want to settle down before our kids, Max and Lily, begin school so they can make friends and attend classes together year after year. While it’s common for kids to switch schools, the thought of uprooting them from their friends just because we moved to a different district is heartbreaking to me.
So we’ve devised a solid plan. In two years, we’ll be homeowners.
But the housing market in our area—Portland, Oregon—is completely out of whack, and it’s incredibly frustrating. Modest homes are selling for prices that seem to belong in a fantasy world. They’re being snatched up for cash, often above the asking price. Seriously, who has that kind of cash lying around? I’d love to know what they’re doing for a living because I must have taken a wrong turn in my career.
While Portland isn’t as pricey as places like San Francisco or New York, it’s rapidly heading in that direction. My husband and I have solid jobs, both hold degrees, and have been saving diligently for a down payment. Yet, there are days when I look at listings and wonder, “How on earth are we going to afford this?”
The common advice I get is to “just move somewhere more affordable.” If only it were that simple.
First off, our family is here. While my relatives live in California and we don’t see them often, Jake’s family is nearby. Our kids adore their grandparents, and having family close by to help out is invaluable. I want Max and Lily to grow up surrounded by their aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family should be friends too, and I don’t want my children to be distant from their loved ones.
Secondly, my roots run deep in this city. I moved here over a decade ago, and it has become my home. It’s not just a college pitstop; it’s where I discovered who I am, fell in love, married, and welcomed our two beautiful kids. Portland is rich in culture, art, and amazing food trucks—don’t even think about making me leave my beloved food trucks!
Most importantly, I simply don’t want to relocate. Moving means packing everything up, saying goodbye to old friends, and starting over. Who wants to rebuild their favorite spots for Thai food and playgrounds? I refuse to let the housing market dictate my life. I already know where the best pad thai is, and I’m not budging from Portland.
That said, it means more nights spent staring at MLS listings while indulging in Ben & Jerry’s. All I desire is to plant roots in a city I adore with the people I love, giving my kids a stable home to grow up in. Unfortunately, the rising housing prices turn this dream into a daunting challenge. Yet, we are holding on.
I don’t have a clear path forward. I don’t know how we’ll manage to make it work, but I do know that moving isn’t an option for us. Life isn’t that straightforward. We’ll keep saving and hoping for a miracle, maybe even a kind benefactor gifting us a home. If I’m going to dream about affording a house here, I might as well dream big!
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In summary, while the housing market is a significant challenge, our commitment to staying in Portland for our family and community remains steadfast. We may not have all the answers yet, but we’re determined to find a way to make our dream a reality.