Hey Guys, this is my first post as I'm new to this website! I've noticed there's like no abandoned locations in the map in Portland Oregon or the surrounding area. Luckily I've found around 8 different buildings, whether its asylums, warehouses, homes, factories, mansions, etc. i'm hoping I can help some people find the locations and I'm not sure exactly how to earn the membership to add locations.

Anyways, in all my adventures I've ran into squatter situations, usually when I hear or see squatters I try and take the safest option of just leaving them be and leaving the building(s). I was wondering if there's something you guys suggest on ways to explore while squatters are present?

I think I attached some photos of a few of the abandoned places I've explored!

Welcome to the forum.

Here's a great thread on how to earn Full Membership which will allow you to add locations eventually

http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=102351

As far as squatters it seems best choice of action is to just leave them be, or attempt to come back at a time there would be less of a chance of them being present, like daytime.

Awesome! Thanks for the help! I will achieve all of them except possibly meeting other people. I'm too cautious to meet anyone I don't personally know! I hope doesn't eliminate my chance of possibly getting a Full membership!

Hey, welcome to UER! There are many other qualified members that can inform you about how to become a full member...sometimes I wonder how I made it myself! But I'll agree with Dan Lee; check out that thread and the many tutorials here, and as a few members tend to say (one in particular): we like pics.
Anyway, in regards to squatters, I've been on several explores myself, and while I've seen all kinds of evidence of them, I've never ran into a squatter. I'm sure every situation is different, but I tend to carry a couple packs of cigs and a light snack (mostly to satisfy my hunger), but I do it in part for the time where I might need to make a peace offering.
I've never had to employ this tactic, so I can't say how well it works, merely a suggestion. Honestly, of the 2 instances where I was pretty certain there was somebody else there, I just left...I tend to try avoidance altogether. Good luck to you, and again, welcome to the site!

Best to leave them be; it's their home.
Moreover the may have legal rights to be there that supercede your violation of trespassing.

I had a squatter on my property for 4 months.

Under house arrest with an ankle bracelet.

Using my electricity for transponders (2).

Complained to the Sheriffs.

They did nothing...

Posted by Hawkwind I had a squatter on my property for 4 months. Under house arrest with an ankle bracelet. Using my electricity for transponders (2). Complained to the Sheriffs. They did nothing...

Citizen's arrest for trespassing... protect your property.

The likelihood of encountering squatters is very dependent on the socio-economic traits of your region, in addition to how well property vacancy is enforced.

Toronto is a city undergoing rapid gentrification and rent markups, but many properties are monitored well enough to prevent people from settling in.

I was once in a really sketchy building that was packed with squatters, the building also rampant with evidence of drug use. Because we knew we'd be outnumbered if we ever encountered people, we moved quietly and evasively through the building so as not to alert people.

Conversely, in the same area, I met two guys living it up in this half demo'd building, and they did not mind me wandering around at all.

The only hostile squatter I've encountered was also my funniest encounter. We were in this abandoned house, and the guy comes "home" while we're in there. The guy asked us for our "college certificates" and when we said we couldn't provide, he told us to GTFO.

Oh I’ve encountered them well, all the time. My region is internationally renowned for its homeless numbers. Many of them make their residence in abandoned buildings. 98% of the time they want to interact with me just as much as I want to interact with them. Usually they conceal themselves tbh. The only time I’ve interacted really is if we’ve surprised or scared one another. In those cases I apologize, tell them what I’m doing, and then move on my way. Thus far (20+ years) this has worked for me but I can also see where it might not work for everyone so my advice is use caution, err on the side of being quiet and respectful when exploring, and treat humans like humans. Also, if you’re being watched from the shadows a good way to keep it to just being watched is to not touch anyone’s campsite or belongings.

Yeah I agree, I take a different approach and usually call out along the lines of "Hello? Just exploring and taking pictures. If anyone is here and doesn't want me exploring just call out and I'll leave" (I say this when I know the building doesn't have security). My only problem is when I yell that out and I can hear squatters sneaking around and it just worries me because, I don't like people hiding from me when I'm just exploring and taking pictures although I understand why they could fear me calling the police but, I would never call the police because, well I'm technically breaking the law myself by trespassing hahaha

Personally, I've made friends with homeless people and I've also gotten yelled at and chased out of a couple places by them which wasn't fun.. I'd say just try your best to avoid them and trust your gut if you don't feel safe

Welcome bud.

I got squatters on my property now. Supposed to be an eviction hearing today.