Renting a place in Portland can be a bit of a blood sport—so let Portland Monthly help you. A couple times a month, we’ll be compiling a quick list of digs for rent in the city right now, at a variety of price points. This time, all our picks are under $2,000/month. We’re on the lookout for non-cookie-cutter spaces—think antique detailing or useful amenities—without breaking the bank. This week: a Gothic style church-turned-apartment, Craftsman fireplaces, and a built-in Murphy bed, all in and around the Alphabet District/Nob Hill in Northwest Portland.  

$915–1,475: The Worthington Apartments

Located in the Alphabet district, each unit in the rather grandly named Worthington is unique. Right now, you’ll find studios and one-bedrooms for rent at this brick Art Deco apartment complex. Units have hardwood floors, large windows, and bright fixtures, but it's the array of vintage built-ins and handcrafted accents that really give these apartments their personality. Choose between shelving with leaded glasswork, checkerboard tiling in the kitchen, a green tile backsplash, or an in-unit fireplace with delicate wooden carvings on the mantel.  

$1,075: Overton Place Studio 

Built in 1912, this charming studio in Nob Hill is somehow quaint and spacious. The apartment features useful built-ins, including shelving above the kitchen sink, a huge glass-front hutch, lots of cabinet space, a walk-in closet, and—you don’t see this everyday—a pullout double-sized Murphy bed frame underneath the hutch. If you work from home and are constantly trying to resist the urge to crawl back into bed, or would just rather not have your date witness your ratty sheets from college quite yet, look no further.  

$1,900: Victorian 2-bedroom 

This home looks as though a farmhouse were airlifted into NW Portland. Surrounded by a picket fence, the Victorian duplex is painted a beautiful deep red with white trimmings. Enjoy your morning coffee from the front porch, overlooking a garden and one massive tree—an oasis from city life just around the corner. Or, step inside the first-floor flat to find retro wooden cabinets and marble-top counters: a neat mix of modern and midcentury details.  

$2,000: Nob Hill 3-bedroom

This Gothic-style apartment feels like a step back in time—or like you accidentally stepped into an old, abandoned Church. Turns out, both are true. Built in 1915, this historic church was converted into a 6-unit apartment complex back in ’85. The unit features detailed woodwork, a pass-through kitchen, floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows throughout, and a lobby with 15-foot-high ceilings. The unusual layout (unusual for an apartment, not a church) is easily overlooked, considering the unit’s price point. Who cares if your room used to house dusty old bibles and wine? Where else are you going to find a 1500 sq. ft. 3-bedroom for $2,000?