Astoria, OR 14 Apartments for Rent

The early fur traders of Fort Astoria were celebrated as "Sinbads of the Wilderness" by Washington Irving. The author recounted the exploits of the Pacific Fur Company for his friend John Jacob Astor in an article called "Astoria," written in 1835. The article was meant to promote Astor's role in the western spread of American influence.

Present-day Astoria still occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the Columbia River, and life centers on the water. It is a city of under 10,000 people who are happy to live their lives amid the beautiful surroundings of the Pacific Northwest. One hundred years ago, Astoria was Oregon's second-largest city. Today, even though it has not changed a great deal, the city has given up its pre-eminent shipping and commercial trade position and reinvented itself as a center for tourism. Its port has been revitalized to serve cruise ships. A major city park project, The Garden of Surging Waves,celebrates the contributions of Chinese immigrants to the history of the city.

Moving to Astoria

In Astoria, the living is easy! It's easy to like the temperate climate, although winters can be drizzly and grey. The city has an almost island-like feel, because one long bridge leads across the river to Washington State, and another leads to the Pacific Coast Highway snaking its way down the coast.

Most landlords in Astoria will require a formal application before renting to you, and rental terms begin when the application is approved, so plan to move in as soon as you can. Be forewarned that many buildings do not allow pets, so if you can't abide living without a four-footed friend, your housing search may be more difficult. Parking usually is not a problem.

Average commute time is numbered in minutes; or you can walk. Exercise, health and sustainability are important to local residents and are more than just "talking points."

Astoria Areas

Astoria's neighborhoods offer plenty of options. You can live near the water, or just look at it.

Alameda / Lexington: There are numerous options of places to rent in this area; and it is a down-to-earth, walkable neighborhood, with curving streets, parks, bluffs and water views. The port lines the waterfront. Look for rental houses and perhaps some serviced apartments in this historic neighborhood.

City Center: The historic downtown offers some town homes and rental condos and a few refurbished buildings might offer all bills paid apartments, but you will have to ferret them out.

Tongue Point Village and Navy Heights: Look for choices in smaller buildings built before 1940. An Astoria apartments locator would be your best bet in this neighborhood, although there tend to be more vacancies here than elsewhere in the city. The hills in this neighborhood are the highest in the city, and the Astoria Column gives great views of the surrounding area.

Living in Astoria

You'll find locally grown, organic food and produce co-ops, local crafts beers and regional wines. Salmon and seafood are a passion, and local restaurants serve up the best of the local catch at funky and classy locations all along the riverbank. Eating out is almost a local pastime. An annual Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival is held in the spring - what a great way to eat, drink and be merry!

You'll want a car to get away from the city when you can. Lewis & Clark National Wildlife Refuge is nearby, or you can head up the Columbia to fish and watch white-tailed deer in their own refuge not far away. In the other direction is the rocky, wild and wonderful Oregon seacoast, with its windswept vistas.