What about the paper mill in Oregon City? (Portland, Corvallis: housing, rent)

[Redrover]

I am in the process of trying to find a town in Oregon, within a reasonable commute to Portland, where we might relocate. One of the candidates is Oregon City - that is until I looked at the City-Data profile which includes a big ole paper mill as one of the photos. Not knowing where it is located, is a a noticeable factor in the air quality? And as long as I have your attention, are there other locations which approximate the features of Oregon City where we might look? Thanks

[retroshawn]

What drew you to Oregon City in the first place? I grew up there and although the paper mill is not pretty to look at, it is out of the way and not around any residential neighborhoods. It lies on 99E as you are heading south out of town towards Canby. It used to be a big business in town but when I go back to visit family, I hardly notice it. By the way, both my siblings still live in Oregon City, have raised 7 children there, and are well rooted in the community. I thought it was a nice place to grow up but it has grown a lot since that time. As for other places similar and equal distance to Portland, you may want to look into Gladstone, Milwaukie, or even West Linn, which is across the Willamette River from Oregon City.

Go Pioneers!!

[Redrover]

I can't honestly say that I was specifically drawn to Oregon City. I am just looking for a town somewhere between Portland and Corvallis that has easy access to Portland. I don't want to be too far off the beaten path and I saw some nice things about Oregon City when I Googled it. I don't want a tired old former logging town that is just waiting to die and I want one that has decent basic services and new housing. The paper mill concerned me as a "smelly" issue. The other big issue is housing costs and I fear that West Linn might be the pricest of all.

[retroshawn]

Oregon City is not a town waiting to die. In fact it has grown substaintially over the last 20 years. There are many new housing developments, the schools are updated, it maintains a decent park system, and city-wide improvements have taken place, especially traveling up Molalla Ave towards hilltop. Regarding the smell, I honestly don't notice it when I visit. I'm not sure if the mill did something different with emissions, but you certainly don't notice anything, and I travel right by it on the way to visit my borther and sister.

Regarding housing prices in West Linn, you are probably correct in that anything west of the Willamette in Portland Metro is more expensive. I have heard many positive things about Sherwood lately, and personally I think Newberg is very nice. Both a bit father south than Oregon City, still reasonable distance to Portland. Good luck!