I hear ya Jane... plus the rent wars in PDX are something else. My kiddo is still at home for the time being while he finishes school. We are afraid that even if he gets into something he can afford the price won't stay for long. I have one niece who now works two full time jobs to pay her rent. Never in her life has one job not covered her expenses. Her sister was in a modest home for years. She was the last hold out from some properties around her and finally sold at a great profit. Her home and the ones surrounding were torn down for a condo a few streets south of the Hawthorne district.