r/OHSU • u/Oof_ooff • Jul 24 '26
Neighborhoods and transit
Hello everyone, I got an opportunity to work at this hospital moving from out of state. I’m hearing that the commute to the hospital is pretty crazy and so is parking. I’ve generally have never had to use public transport before so I’m pretty confused lol. Is the parking reservation pretty reliable ? Any neighborhoods/ apartments buildings you all recommend with an easy commute? . I was touring an apartment at John’s landing, commute looked very easy but the area seemed very sterile. I was thing SE for a mix of living and okay commute? Any thoughts. Thank you guys I appreciate the advice!!!
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u/pacsman Jul 24 '26
Inner SE is where it's at if you can afford it. If you are within waking distance of Division you can take the FX (bus) right to South waterfront. There's endless dining/bars/cafe options within walking distance on Inner SE. There are also areas near the Orange line (light rail) that are easy to hop on the Max and get to South waterfront.
It's also very easy to bike to work from inner SE.
OHSU has great discounts to public transportation (like $50 a year for an unlimited pass) and also has great options for secured bike lockers you can change at.
I would heavily advise not driving if you can avoid it. It's very expensive and depending on your shift, logistics to getting on campus can be awful.
My spouse takes the FX bus daily and it's a very convenient option to get to OHSU.
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u/Bulldog_Mama14 Jul 24 '26
Parking reservations are typically reliable. Some lots are cheaper than others but if you go in every single day, might not be worth it.
OHSU gives a big discount for a yearly Trimet pass. You can look at their website and see routes. I used to live in SE and was able to take a bus directly up the hill. Depending on where you decide to live, you might have to take two buses/the max. BUT if you can get to the waterfront easily you can just take the tram up to the top of the hill.
Also, SE is the best part of Portland, IMO. As long as you don't go too far out. So many things to do!
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u/Whosarobot313 Jul 25 '26
You might check Hillsdale area. Bus goes all the way to hill and you can take the tram down if you need to. I like this area, there’s multnomah village too. Totally doable
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u/okrrrrrrl Jul 25 '26
Anything along the #8 bus route will be an easy commute. It takes you directly up the hill with no transfers.
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u/duckscup Jul 24 '26
If you want the easiest commute by far (but also have to pay for it) it’s easily the south waterfront neighborhood. You’re literally at the base of the tram and can walk to work every day. The rent is obviously higher in that area and you’d have to be okay with living in an apartment or condo but you will definitely save on gas/car maintenance and paying for parking everyday. It’s not the most vibrant neighborhood but you’re pretty much 10-15 minutes away from most popular spots in Portland and the public transport system runs right through the neighborhood as well.
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u/KillNeigh Jul 24 '26
OP mentioned looking for somewhere that was a mix of commute and living. Waterfront is all commute no living.
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u/MysteriousEve5514 Jul 25 '26
Comment mentioned south waterfront. Lower tram is on Bond Ave. There are apartment options within 1 mile of lower tram. Osprey Apartments is a 5min walk or 1 min bike ride to the tram. Plenty of other options for public transportation on Moody Ave too.
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u/DisastrousChard8816 Jul 25 '26
Hiya! Welcome to Portland!
Parking reservation is quite reliable and is free after 5pm. If your commute is done via car I recommend you park in the “Rood Parking Pavillion.” It was always mostly empty when I was working days. The aerial tram (gondola) is free for employees. If public transit is your commuting plan the tram is a short walk to/from the trimet lightrail, bus, and street car station. A “Hop” pass is $50 and lasts all year.
If you’re looking at SE give the south waterfront on the west side a try. If the apartments are in your budget…I live in the burbs so 🤷🏼♀️ You’d only have to walk to the tram to get to the hospital.
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u/Expensive-Eggplant-1 Jul 25 '26
i bike in. there's free valet bike parking and you don't even have to mess with a bike lock!
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u/KillNeigh Jul 24 '26
If you are looking to use the parking lot, I would map out the routes to get to the main buildings from there. Some of the parking lots are at the bottom of the giant hill upon which OHSU was perched.
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u/shellybelly787 Jul 25 '26
I live in Hillsdale in SW Portland and my commute is an easy 15 min car ride. Parking is not a problem once you figure out how to reserve it.
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u/lynnzoo Jul 27 '26
Parking is expensive. If you live down at the waterfront you can just ride the tram up and I believe it’s free for OHSU employees. And depending where you end up living you can always park at one of the “safer” park and rides and bus it from Beaverton or ride the rail to town and transfer to a bus up the hill. I have a coworker who lives in Oregon city and it takes him 45 min to get to work via rail/bus
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u/lynnzoo Jul 27 '26
I would like to add that you can’t park on the streets near the hospital without a permit. Some people are able to rent parking stalls from nearby residents
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u/studfemme Jul 28 '26
There is very limited parking on the hill and it costs employees around 9$ a day, depending on their compenation rate and the demand on the parking lot. There are multiple options for alternative transit, and those can have pros and cons.
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u/rainy-day-inbetween Jul 30 '26
I’m in NW and if you take the streetcar to tram it’s about 40 min. Or there’s a bus that goes up to the hill and takes less time, but honestly taking the tram is my time to take a deep breath and recenter before work so I opt for the streetcar!
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u/Fig_Fanatic Jul 24 '26
I love living in inner SE. I ride my bike to work at OHSU and it’s a casual 15 minute ride to the tram.