Raleigh Hills, Tigard, Lake Oswego or West Lynn

[ssmith2526]

Originally Posted by Mt-7

The better area of Tigard is Bull Mountian, but consider the overcrowding of the schools to be a big negative. Also Tigard is heck getting out of anytime of the day.

Wow, scratching my head after reading that comment. I live in Tigard and do not have any problems getting in and out of the city. Tigard connects to Lake O, Beaverton, Sherwood and Tualatin so there are several major roads in and out of Tigard. Some are busier than others but all have peak periods and periods when the traffic moves at or above speed level. But I agree, the schools are bulging at the seams. I suppose that's a problem all over Oregon with our lack of funding.

[Mclaurin]

As far as bikes, these areas are mostly not very bike friendly. They are built on hills. Depending on the age of your kids, you could find this in specific neighborhoods, depending on their layout.

None of the areas you speak of will have much affordable housing....realizing this is relative. Check out MLS data. Tigard, likely the least expensive, school district not as nice. Neighborhoods same.

West Linn is pretty far out for the shopping you want. It does have some, but not what you are talking about. Neither does LO.... it is quite close though.

Remember...these are all burbs that have no real distict start and stop. Except West Linn at some edges...country running into Wilsonville country.

Lots of driving...even if you aren't working away. You will be carting the kids around. Hilly heavily treed areas mostly. Some of the country side of West Linn has open rolling hills, being built up quickly into burbs.

Best schools, beware of best...sometimes comes with an emotional price. Believe me I know. LO has very traditional methods of teaching for young children. Memorization, rote learing. All about the test...but hey that's everywhere right? I have heard West Linn is more developmental for younger children.

If you don't care as much about proximity to town (Portland that is the town) maybe you should look at Wilsonville. It is the same district as West Linn, but has more flat and some rolling areas, not many older homes though.

This isn't Arizona, so the development patterns will be different. Settled earlier here. The older homes will be in all of the places you have talked about....limited amounts. The burbs are newer here, but some older home areas exist. The neighborhood with them tend to be on busier roads. LO has first additon, very expensive, very nice. West Linn has older homes along to highway 43 a small highway through town. Terrible but beautiful clogged communte for Portland workers...bye the way. Also off of 205, the Willamete area. Pretty isloated there, shopping, but always on the freeway to most points. Raliegh Hills has some quiet areas where a kid might be able to ride a bike....but not really great for that either.

For the older homes, mostly mid century and up, Raliegh Hills and Lake Oswego in my opinion.

Quick thoughts...hope it helps.