Portland Oregon - Please tell me more

[French Fry]

My wife and I are considering moving to Portland, or within a 30 min circle.

I've spent a few days there, mostly downtown.

What are some of the towns I should be looking at?

I've been looking mostly on the east side, simply for easier general access to mt hood, so I don't know anything about the towns on south and east of the city.

Should I consider towns in washington?

This would be a rather permanent move, at least the next 15 yrs or so, and my primary motivation would be an excellent school district for my kids (toddlers right now), but easy access to live music would be great. So I guess I'm looking for a nice mix of city and suburb.

I would be working from home for my current employer for the next couple years, but would eventually need to work somewhere out there (IT), so commute times are also a factor for me.

Thanks in advance!

[Mudder]

If you're into mountain sports, but still want to be within an AM commute to Portland, then I'd say Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, Damascus, Boring, maybe Sandy are all towns that cover that pretty well. The housing market is down in PDX and surrounding towns right now, a good time to buy as any here.

In Washington, Camas and Washougal are right across the river from Gresham/Fairview/Troutdale, but the closest bridge is west about 10-15 min, or 30 min east.

Would you be working in the city or from home?

[EelEye]

Man, I LOVE Portland. I just wish I could find a high-paying job there.

I personally like the Southwest Hills area (SW of downtown). I have seriously looked at buying something in Portland...one of my favorite places.

[sharpshooter]

The biggest problem with living on the Wash. side, is that their are only two bridges across the river, and the am/pm commute is a slow moving parking lot.
The section of the MAX light rail system that runs between Gresham and Portland makes for a much easier trip.
Lots of music venues in all directions, the East side does seem to have more then the other areas,,,but everything is pretty close,, the city is not that large.
Bring rain gear,,,.

[wstsidela]

Great artsy town. No sales tax. Lots of rain.

[SideBMusic]

I'm lookin' to move up there from Southern California in a few years. Can't decide on what area yet, but we want to be away from the city. I look forward to the comments in this thread to help give me ideas.

We are thinking of buying a small house and building an art and recording studio.

[DC1]

They hate californians. Be aware.



dc

[lucky111]

Having lived here my whole life, and in all areas of that 30 min circle you're talking about, that's one of the best things about Portland--wherever you live, you're only about 30-45 minutes from the other complete opposite side of town depending on traffic.

Take a look at the Clackamas/Happy Valley area--great school district (I'm a Special Education teacher). I'd agree with Damascus/Boring as well, Gresham/Barlow School District is still in pretty good shape.

If you're willing to go south just a bit, but still within your 30 minutes of downtown rule, I'd definitely recommend Tualatin, Lake Oswego & West Linn.

Portland is a great town! Hope you enjoy it.

Cheers!
lucky

[Scott Miller]

I have family there. South has some nice burbs; Gladstone, Milwaukie, Oregon City. Washington has lots of new development. Beaverton, Tigard, I'm not too wild about. On the east side, Hawthorne/Mt. Tabor are cheapish but decent neighborhoods. You will recognize the bad parts of town (north) just driving through them. If I were moving there, I would go out in the burbs, get a small house with a half an acre, and grow a ton of tomatoes. You can go crazy gardening up there.

Where are you on the political spectrum? Doesn't matter; Oregon has it all, from the stuck-in-the-sixties Eugene to the um... reactionary wackos of the Illinois Valley. It's weird that way, but interesting.

Being from California, I never found any anti-California sentiments.

[WahmBoomAh]

A warning!
If you want to keep your family together stay AWAY from Koll guitars !!!

[French Fry]

Thanks!
I guess I'm trying to stay within 30 min of downtown, but I guess I don't know where I'll be working in a few years. Is downtown portland where the bulk of the companies are?

I work in software development. To a certain extent, I can always work from home 100% but I enjoy having an office environment to go to. We're looking to move maybe late summer of 2011.

I do enjoy mountain sports so the closer to mt hood, the better, but it doesn't seem like that big a deal to cross the city east west.

Sounds like I wouldn't want to deal with living in washington and commuting.

Coming from the Boston area, I'm quite familiar with traffic and rain. From what I gather, the rain patterns in portland are quite different. Weather moves faster so perhaps there is rain coming in and out frequently, but it's generally a pretty light rain. (at least that's what I experienced while I was there and what people seemed to try to explain to me.)

I don't mind rain so much, but I hate traffic. I'm going on the assumption that heavy traffic means very different things in portland and boston. Is that assumption somewhat correct?

[French Fry]

A warning!
If you want to keep your family together stay AWAY from Koll guitars !!!

Thanks! I didn't know Koll guitars was in that area. That does not spell trouble for me :idea.

[Jerrod]

They hate californians. Be aware.



dc





:facepalm

[Atmospheric]

The wife and I totally dig it. It has exceeded expectations on every level.

Newberg is 22 miles southwest, the first town over the Washington/Yamhill county line. The northern gateway to the Willamette Valley.

It's super family friendly with a great smallish town vibe. But yet, it's also a college town, so you get that influx of young energy that I find really appealing as well.

Portland (and PDX airport) is still plenty close, but also far enough away if you get my drift.

Portland proper is a great city, but (sadly) it (and Salem) have significant gang/crime issues. In fact, Portland and Seattle regularly make the FBI's list of top 10 most dangerous cities (right up there with Baltimore, Detroit, L.A. and New York). I've never felt in danger walking the streets of Portland at night, but then again I pick my spots.

Oh yeah, don't let people steer you away with the urban myth stuff about Oregonians hating out-of-staters. My wife and I are originally from So Cal. I think Oregonians are some of the friendliest most decent people I have ever met. It's a culture shock in the best sense of the word.

It also doesn't rain quite as much as urban myth would have you believe. It's kind of like Hawaii when it rains - there is often part of the day when it is sunny. It is always beautiful and green. The climate agrees with me, but then again I am 50% French Canadian.

Oregon is my home now.

[fredgarvin]

Gresham would be a good choice imo. Easy access to the city, MAX rail and you can find homes virtually next to the Sandy river. Quick mt. Hood access too.

[* velcro-fly *]

They hate californians. Be aware.



dc

Pretty sure it wasn't all Californians...just you. Hope the bruise on your butt has healed from the door hitting you on the way out.

and Boston guy? Close friends of ours relocated out here from there 6-7 years ago and can't imagine being anywhere else. Come on out and enjoy.

[Barefoot]

Bosox suck.....




Welcome to Oregon.
Portland is a real nice place to live.

[Mudder]

Not just Koll, but Soloway, Devi Ever, Subdecay, all Portland metro folks. Not too shabby.

[DC1]

Pretty sure it wasn't all Californians...just you. Hope the bruise on your butt has healed from the door hitting you on the way out.

and Boston guy? Close friends of ours relocated out here from there 6-7 years ago and can't imagine being anywhere else. Come on out and enjoy.

I'm glad to see the change in attitude, even in you, though you were pretty open about not liking californians who move there in the past...

Maybe things are getting better, but no Portland for me, thanks.


dc

[fetishfrog]

My fiance and I have a few more years in LA we figure and then we'll probably end up in the Pacific Northwest. I'm sure a few folks will be grumpy about us moving in, but I'll bet, for the most part, everyone will be just fine. If not, then they won't get to jam with me and it'll be their loss.

[DC1]

My fiance and I have a few more years in LA we figure and then we'll probably end up in the Pacific Northwest. I'm sure a few folks will be grumpy about us moving in, but I'll bet, for the most part, everyone will be just fine. If not, then they won't get to jam with me and it'll be their loss.

I have friends in Grants Pass and they seem to be a great bunch.

dc

[* velcro-fly *]

I'm glad to see the change in attitude, even in you, though you were pretty open about not liking californians who move there in the past...

Maybe things are getting better, but no Portland for me, thanks.


dc

Only thing I was ever open about was your postion that it was ok to clearcut 15+ acres of land in a wetland / urban growth boundary to pave over for a church parking lot when lifelong residents were not allowed to build another home on their adjoining property in the same area. Your point was something along the lines of Oregon residents percieved entitlement.

You live to argue over basically anything as is seen regularly on TGP - its no suprise that you were given the response you were when you attempted to move here. So yeah, it doesnt matter where you're from - show up with an attitude like yours and you will be figuratively shown the door.

[fetishfrog]

I have friends in Grants Pass and they seem to be a great bunch.

dc

What's the music scene like there?

[DC1]

Only thing I was ever open about was your postion that it was ok to clearcut 15+ acres of land in a wetland / urban growth boundary to pave over for a church parking lot when lifelong residents were not allowed to build another home on their adjoining property in the same area. Your point was something along the lines of Oregon residents percieved entitlement.

You live to argue over basically anything as is seen regularly on TGP - its no suprise that you were given the response you were when you attempted to move here. So yeah, it doesnt matter where you're from - show up with an attitude like yours and you will be figuratively shown the door.

Well there it is. Blame the messenger and slander. Didn't take long for that to come out did it?

Are you still hurt about that church parking lot?

:facepalm

Anyway, here is an interesting discussion on this:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/portland/438958-really-true-oregonians-hate-californians.html

Evidently it's not just me...

dc

[captain_bob]

If you are looking to buy a home, housing is more affordable in SW Washington. We have drastically lower home prices and property taxes. The further out you go, the more you save. I own a home 36 miles from Portland and in my area you can still buy a decent home for around $150,000. The downside would defintately be the commute if you are driving into the city everyday after working from home.

If housing costs are not an issue, The Clackamas/Happy Valley areas so are the Hillsboro and Beaverton areas.

[DC1]

What's the music scene like there?

Not much in terms of clubs and such. A lot more in Ashland, not too far away.

Nice folks though, and lots to do out in nature.


dc

[fetishfrog]

If you are looking to buy a home, housing is more affordable in SW Washington. We have drastically lower home prices and property taxes. The further out you go, the more you save. I own a home 36 miles from Portland and in my area you can still buy a decent home for around $150,000. The downside would defintately be the commute if you are driving into the city everyday after working from home.

If housing costs are not an issue, The Clackamas/Happy Valley areas so are the Hillsboro and Beaverton areas.

I'll keep that in mind. In LA, everything is a 40 minute commute, so we'd have no trouble adjusting to more of the same with affordable housing.
Not much in terms of clubs and such. A lot more in Ashland, not too far away.

Nice folks though, and lots to do out in nature.


dc

Thx, we'll be looking into that area too.

[DC1]

Thx, we'll be looking into that area too.

Asland is a college town whereas Grants Pass is more rural. Depending on your worldview you may like one more than the other.


dc

[Barefoot]

Not much in terms of clubs and such. A lot more in Ashland, not too far away.

Nice folks though, and lots to do out in nature.


dc

Oregonians can't afford to live in Ashland. It's entirely relocated Californians now......seriously.......economic colonization nightmare for anyone who remembers what Ashland was like up until the mid 80's.....But coming from the more densely populated California market I can see why some would think its nice.....

I don't believe that statement feeds into your stereotype of Oregonians.
That's just the reality of it.....same for the Oregon Coast.

Anyway, the OP should like Portland. Nice town with nice people.
Best wishes.....

[* velcro-fly *]

Well there it is. Blame the messenger and slander. Didn't take long for that to come out did it?

Are you still hurt about that church parking lot?

:facepalm

Anyway, here is an interesting discussion on this:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/portland/438958-really-true-oregonians-hate-californians.html

Evidently it's not just me...

dc

blah blah blah - how bout you just start a blog about it? you basically don't know sh*t about the real issues regarding land use around here so I'll leave it at that although I'm sure you're going to come back with some research for me to say otherwise. Face it - you're no messenger, just a cry baby looking for an audience.

Boston guy - look us up when you get out here and I'll hook you up with the other Boston guy, we'll run by Portlands greatest new discovery Pine State Biscuits for a "Reggie Deluxe"

http://www.pinestatebiscuits.com/

[DC1]

Oregonians can't afford to live in Ashland. It's entirely relocated Californians now......seriously.......economic colonization nightmare for anyone who remembers what Ashland was like up until the mid 80's.....But coming from the more densely populated California market I can see why some would think its nice.....

I don't believe that statement feeds into your stereotype of Oregonians.
That's just the reality of it.....same for the Oregon Coast.

That's because I do not have a stereotype of Oregonians. I had experiences in Portland that indicated that you do not want to be known as a Californian who has moved there, but I have had good experiences too, and especially in Grants Pass. BTW, I expect a lot of people would love Portland, and I have no problem with that. Just get OR license plates quick...


dc

[puffin]

(and many of the other rural areas here) is that tax levies rarely pass, which has taken its toll on schools and law enforcement. I've been in GP for just over a decade - also a SoCal transplant - and I love the slow pace and the natural beauty (and the lack of sales tax), but if/when I have kids, I'll be looking elsewhere.

[Knuckles]

Boston guy - look us up when you get out here and I'll hook you up with the other Boston guy, we'll run by Portlands greatest new discovery Pine State Biscuits for a "Reggie Deluxe"

http://www.pinestatebiscuits.com/


Dude. Those are sick. I miss Belmont St. (Pine State, Utopia Cafe, the Cricket Cafe, the Pied Cow) on a near daily basis. Fortunately we get Stumptown coffee shipped into the midwest on a daily basis for survival purposes.

[French Fry]

Thanks for the info guys ...

If anyone else is interested, I found some good resources on a realtor's site.
http://www.movingtoportland.net/index.html

[French Fry]

Definitely no shortage of good food in portland.

Although, (and they may not let me in if I say this), I was a little bit disappointed in Voodoo donuts. Probably because it had been built up in my mind as this epic experience. The bacon maple donut was delicious but the rest I tried were a little stale.

[gpro34]

They hate californians. Be aware.



dc

Yes, with a passion. I have family in P-town.Portland has a much different culture than socal. Portland, like any other place has pluses and minuses. For a fairly large city there's not a whole lot to do. The drivers are very nice, not aggressive like what you'll get in LA. There are a lot of Greenpeace lovin, granola munchin tree huggers....seriously. They have serious vigilant "green groups" that have been known to spray paint the side of your vehicle if you're in a big SUV or the like. The car to have in Portland is a Subaru or a Prius, they're everywhere. Warning:Do not purchase a Prius or Subaru in Portland. They include a dealer mark up that's ridiculous. Parking downtown sucks bad. The yuppie place to be is "The Pearl ." It's not my kind of place, but thought someone might want to know. Taxes are hefty, even though there's no sales tax. The schools have been having similar issues to California. There's not enough money and people are worried. Do some research to see if it's the right place for you.

[Russorama]

Lived here all my life. There are many nice things about Portland BUT there are quite alot of really crappy things too. Firstly, it's true, the weather absolutely sucks arse most of the year. Absolutely true. Rainy and cold. If that's your thing, you'll love it. I hate it. Summer (July and August basically) can be very nice. It's just REAL short.

political commentary removed. --chiba

[Atmospheric]

Our property taxes are almost identical to what we were paying in So Cal. Of course, in So Cal we owned a 19 year old 1300 sq ft condo. For $10K less, we bought a 2 year old 2600 sq ft home. Just saying.

My state income tax withholding is also comparable to California.

So yes taxes, are high compared to most of the country, but California also has a sales tax... almost 10% in some cities, which is freaking crazy.

When I dine out up here, I feel like the lack of sales tax on the meal essentially pays for about 1/2 my tip.

I've found utilities to be surprisingly high. Our sewer charge per month is $28. Just for sewer. Combined water/sewer runs $50-$60 in winter (using very little water, just shower and tap water). Down in So Cal, even when I owned a detached home, I rarely paid more than $6 for a monthly sewer charge and often my water bill in summer was around $40.

Electricity, trash and cable are also higher here than in So Cal. It's probably lack of competition.

But now I work from home, so I use far less gas - a fill up lasts me a month. The wife and I don't eat lunch out any more - that's another $50 or so per week we don't spend. Also, my wife and I were paying $250 a month to use the toll roads in So Cal. So the higher utility costs don't really bother us. We are still adjusting to one income instead of two.

Now if the hex wife would just remarry or step in front of a bus, I could get rid of that alimony and I'd really be set.

Taxes are hefty, even though there's no sales tax.

[erksin]

Thanks!
I guess I'm trying to stay within 30 min of downtown, but I guess I don't know where I'll be working in a few years. Is downtown portland where the bulk of the companies are?

I work in software development. To a certain extent, I can always work from home 100% but I enjoy having an office environment to go to. We're looking to move maybe late summer of 2011.

I do enjoy mountain sports so the closer to mt hood, the better, but it doesn't seem like that big a deal to cross the city east west.

Sounds like I wouldn't want to deal with living in washington and commuting.

Coming from the Boston area, I'm quite familiar with traffic and rain. From what I gather, the rain patterns in portland are quite different. Weather moves faster so perhaps there is rain coming in and out frequently, but it's generally a pretty light rain. (at least that's what I experienced while I was there and what people seemed to try to explain to me.)

I don't mind rain so much, but I hate traffic. I'm going on the assumption that heavy traffic means very different things in portland and boston. Is that assumption somewhat correct?

I live in NW Portland very close to the Beaverton border - it only takes me an hour to get to Mt. Hood.

If you're in IT, you may want to consider living on the west side as that is where the largest concetration seems to be. Wilsonville area too.

Beaverton school district is near or at the top in the state rankings.

Traffic is getting worse, but from where I live I can get into work all the way across town in SE Portland in about 30 mins or less. There are a lot of alternate routesif you need them.

You'll be astounded at how affordable the houses are here compared to Boston.

We get less rain than Houston or New Orleans, too FWIW.

[gpro34]

I live in NW Portland very close to the Beaverton border - it only takes me an hour to get to Mt. Hood.

If you're in IT, you may want to consider living on the west side as that is where the largest concetration seems to be. Wilsonville area too.

Beaverton school district is near or at the top in the state rankings.

Traffic is getting worse, but from where I live I can get into work all the way across town in SE Portland in about 30 mins or less. There are a lot of alternate routesif you need them.

You'll be astounded at how affordable the houses are here compared to Boston.

We get less rain than Houston or New Orleans, too FWIW.

The rain is different. You guys get more consecutive days of rain than Houston. Houston may get more inches total in a year, but those come in the form of downpours. The downpours go away and the sun is back out. Portland gets a gloominess throughout its rainy season that tends to wear on people. Some people don't seem to mind. The problem is you won't know until you move there.

[sodapopinski]

There's nothing to say...

i have friends who live there, they love it... they know the lady who owns the house used for The Goonies...