So I got a job offer that would require me to move to portland and I was hoping some of you guys can help me out with what neighborhoods are good for kids and have decent schools (or should I be looking for private schools). My budget would be around 300K, though I'd like to spend less, and realtor.com shows me some great houses but I'm having lots of trouble finding neighborhood info. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.
Clackamas, towards 152nd is a good area. Good schools (absolutely no need for private schools in Portland) With your budget, you are fairly limited. Another option is across the river in Vancouver, WA. IMO, stay the hell away from the west side, unless you will be working there? If you are downtown though, stay east. Stay away from north and northeast Portland and Gresham is becoming pretty shitty as well.
I usually wouldn't help out somebody with so few posts, but The HCP is in a good mood. I am only familiar with neighborhoods on the east side of town. The ones you want to live in are Alameda/Irvington/Selwood/Laraulhurst/Mt. Tabor. Great houses and schools........... but you won't find anything in those neighborhoods for $300,000. If you are able to expand your budget check those one out. Good luck.
You are killing my neighborhood MM? When was the last time you walked through my neighborhood of Alameda and hit up some of the shops on Fremont?
What kind of vibe do you like? Do you like the burbs/soccer moms/chain restaurants and relative safety, check out Tualatin, Bull Mountain area, Murray Hill...which is my hood I grew up in. Not bad, they have a nice movie theatre and entertainment complex (Big Als, etc) close to Washington Square, few easy to get to Fred Meyers and Targets, Costcos, etc.. Quiet suburban life, big houses, families, etc. If you like more city living, eastside is not bad like Southeast Portland, etc.
This guy has got no chance. Just like the draft thread! I would rather live in Alabama then Clackamas or Troutdale. Good luck to you with all this info flying around.
Where is your job (downtown, east side or west side)? Oregon is a family oriented state, IMO, and has plenty of good pockets of neighborhoods depending on what area of town you want to live in. If you have kids, you probably don't want to spend 1.5 hours a day in a car fighting traffic, so getting a house near your work might be a priority. Think it's great you are relocating here. Oregon has some cons (like the job market, but you got a job) but pretty much an the unofficial consensus says it is a great place to raise a family. Schools are hurting all the way around, but I think you will find a better school system on the westside. You might find private schools suprisingly affordable realative to California private schools . . . but private schools aren't necessary here. If you are involved parents, the Oregon public school system will prepare your kids for college or life after high school. A popular economic choice is to live in Vancouver, WA and commute across the river. You get low WA property tax and do all your shopping in Oregon with no sales tax. But that commute during rush hour is enough to make you want to blow your brains out. Lots of choices with 300K. Lot's of new development on the westside starting at 300K . . .
It all depends on what type of vibe you're looking for (like El Prez said). I prefer the Eastside (North and NE/SE out to about 50th or so). If you prefer the burbs, listen to El Prez and some of the others (not me and HCP). Also, what size place are you looking for? Where are houses you are finding on that site? I'm sure people here could give you an idea of what their neighborhoods are like.
If it is me without kids, I live in downtown or very close to downtown. If it is me with kids, I live in the burbs with easy acess to parks, fields and recreation centers, tons of activites for kids and decent school class sizes.
Best school districts (not in any order): 1. Lake Oswego 2. West Linn/Wilsonville 3. Tualatin 4. Sherwood 5. Clackamas 6. Some of Beaverton If your kids are in high school and are good athletes, send them to Jesuit if you can afford it as a private school. Stay away from Portland Public Schools. They're a mess.
Thanks for all the help so far! Job is downtown and safety is the priority. My wife likes to walk out dog at night and my kids & I spend just about every weekend out at parks or the zoo. Nightlife is of no importance. I'm willing to suffer a crappy commute for a quiet, family oriented neighborhood. Thanks again
You grew up in the suburbs huh? ANd trust me, if this cat only has $300K to spend on a house, he can't send his kids to Jesuit.
If you only have 300K to spend......... it's the suburbs for you. Good luck, you'll love it up here regardless of where you live.
That's what I said...... but then you said stay away from NE. I'm about to go for a walk with the FAM right now. Our neighborhood is amazing.
West Linn Clackamas Tualatin Wilsonville Canby Sherwood probably your best bet. Commute gets longer after Tualatin
Nah, I actually went to Lincoln but I cover high school sports so I've seen basically every school around the Portland area. And of course... if a kid is a really good athlete, Jesuit will find a way to put them in uniform. PIL schools are just struggling... and it's sad to see for the biggest district in the state.
