HELP!! Lookin 4 a good area to live with kids. New to Oregon (Portland: apartments, to rent)

[LindiLou]

Hey everyone...


I am a single mom of 2 kids. We are originally from Utah and I have been there all my life. I have always thought about moving out of state but never really knew where. 2 weeks before the end of May the guy i rent from sent me an email saying he was going to move back into his home. He give me a 2 weeks notice. Ya i could have made him give me a month but I really sat and thought about it and figured that it was time to move out of state. I was talking to a friend and telling them that I wanted to be near the ocean and if i could have the Ocean and the mountains it would be really nice. They said OREGON. I did some research and said okay. Oregon it is. I put my stuff in storage and went on an adventure. I arrived in Salem Oregon on Monday July 2nd. So far I love it here. I am just having a problem with the fact of not really knowing what areas are best for kids. I am looking for a good safe area, good school, and also still close to society for shopping etc. I don’t want to be right in the City but the out skirts of Salem & Portland. Anyone have suggestions?

[DavePautsch]

Take a little drive south (about 15 miles or so) to check out Albany!

I've been here for 6 years plus and we love it. I have 2 girls (14 and 10) and they have thrived here, both in the schools and socially. Small town America (about 40K population) with some of the friendliest folks I've ever met. I can't get out of CostCo on Sunday afternoon without seeing at least 10 people I know.

Great time of year, take them for a ride on the paddle boats at Waverly Lake.

Good luck and welcome to Oregon.

Dave

[LindiLou]

Thanks for that info.

I drove out to the coast yesterday. Went to Lincoln City, then down the coast to newport and took 20. went through Corvallis and I had to have passed through Albany, I dont quite remeber though. I will drive down that way again. So there is a Costco there? I guess i need to include that. I need to have at least a Costco, Walmart, etc. I love the shopping centers.

I will take a drive down there tonight. I need to get out of this ROOM. I am staying at a hotel in Salem right now and the area im in isnt my cup of tea. its okay till i find a place but i want to have some areas in mind to start looking.

Thank you for the welcome. I am loving it so far. I cant wait to get settled.

[dakoda29]

Get on Hwy 22 and head east out of Salem. There's some real nice towns as you head east - Aumsville, Stayon, Lyons, Mill City.

We live in Stayton and like it so far. Reasonable housing prices, safe, right size town for us. 15 minutes to Salem, 1.5 to Portland or the ocean and 1 hour to the mountains. Can't beat that! (Costco is in Salem <20 minutes away!). Good luck! Oregon is a great state.

[Larry Caldwell]

If I were going to raise kids in town, Corvallis would be my choice. The university parents are very involved in their children's education, so the schools really shine. You will also find that your own educational opportunities are much better in a college town. The ocean is not far away, and there are two scenic routes to the coast out of corvallis, one to Newport and the other to Waldport. Corvallis also has a decent city bus system, so you won't be stuck hauling your kids around. They can just hop the bus and get where they need to go.

Salem is not a good place to raise children. The state pen draws a large criminal element. There is more gang activity in Salem than there is in Portland.

[Canman]

We live SOUTH and agree with Most all above posts Larry is Very Accurate in his assessment of Oregon and his advise ( ANY-PLACE But Salem is recommended ) I drive 72 mile EACH way to work so we are able to live in a Great area Brownsville, Very Historic and friendly. Good Luck Welcome And Check Out WINCO FOODS if your feeding a family they make both Wal-mart and Costco EXPENSIVE!!! Salem 2 Corvalis 1 Eugene1 Springfield 1.ECT

[LindiLou]

WOW.. Thanks a bunch for all the great advise. I drove to Albany today and it really wasn't my cup of tea. I liked it just as i got off the free way there near the park and all but the further in i went it was just to much of the industiral stuff and old look going on for me. I did drive through south Salem and is definatly the best of Salem I have seen yet. I definatly want to stay away from the gang activity and the geto look. I was advised today to check out Wilsonville and Tigard. I also need to mention that I will be Renting eaither a Home, Town home, Or duplex. Not big on apartments but it needs to have an area where those options are available.

Anyone have any input on Wilsonville and Tigard????

I will be driving out that way tomorrow.

[skipper11]

Try Eugene, Or. We live in West Eugene and absolutly LOVE it here. so, much to do for All ages. Plenty of work here. Friendly town.

[mdvaden]

You are new...

You want mountains and ocean.

If you like the outdoors, and rivers, and the other, I'd say, to break-in with kids, find a small suburb of Portland.

Newberg, North Plains, outer edge of Sherwood, far south end of Hillsboro - maybe McMinnville, although that's out a bit.

But those will give you access to Portland resources like basketball games, stores, special activities, while still being on the outer fringe.

It's just that Portland is so central to Mt. Hood, several rivers, the ocean, hiking, camping, etc..

Vernonia is probably too far out.

Clackamas or Troutdale might be options.

But I go into the mountains or ocean every week or two weeks, and that's why we're moving to an outlying community of Portland as soon as our house sells. All of our family like the ocean.

[LindiLou]

Thank you all for the great advise. It has helped me so much and guided me to some great places and areas. It is definatly helping out on the search. I will not be planning to move into a place until the 1st week of Aug. so I am just taking this time to look around at the areas. A lady has also suggested to look for places to rent on craigslist.com. I feel like I am really getting to know things alot quicker than if I didn't have your advise. I come to Oregon not knowing a single sole and also have never been here. LOL.. Crazy I know, but hey what is life with out an adventure!!!!

Thank you all again