New job in McMinnville (relocating) (Portland, Sherwood: best town, to rent, home)

[Freemanfam]

I am retiring from the military in San Diego and will hopefully be landing a job in Mcminnville. My wife and I are trying to narrow down areas to live within a reasonable commute (30-35 miles at most) that will offer good schools (kids ages 10 &12), good quality of life..not the sticks, but not city life and just a safe place to live in general.

We realize that the climate is different up there, but there are positives and negatives to every place....our main concern is finding a nice place to raise our children. I am originally from Connecticut, so the idea of trading in palm trees and beaches for lush landscape and forest is not unappealing to me.

[Bendite]

Since McMinnville has a population of just over 30,000, if you get your job thrre, it may be the right place to live. Not the stix, but not a big city either. Here is a link to the report card for all Oregon schools that the Oregonian publishes every year. It looks like Duniway Middle School does very well. Coming from San Diego, you'll find the weather to be very different. Average Jan. temp is 33 degrees; average July is 83. 154 days of sunshine and 136 days with some precipitation. 41 inches of rain and 6 inches of snow on average.


Oregon schools data and test scores - Oregon Schools Guide - OregonLive.com (broken link)

[Nell Plotts]

McMinnville is also the home to Linfield College, a very good small private liberal arts college. If I didn't have family in Portland, and use PDX regularly, McMinnville would be on my short list.

Were I you I would rent for a while and get to know the community. As in San Diego, home prices are declining so there is no hurry.

[Smiled]

McMinnville is a nice place. Indeed, do rent, though. The weather IS different (imagine June Gloom from late October to March, with a few sunny days mixed in).

[paquino]

Welcome to Oregon!

I used to live in San Diego! Oregon is much like it. We have beaches, mountains, high desert! All within driving distance. I actually feel in love with Oregon soon after moving here!

Since you moving to McMinnville (Linfield College) town, my choice would be Sherwood! It was voted the best Town in Oregon! It's quaint, lots to do! Kid's galore! Great Schools. Woodhaven Neighborhood is awsome. People are friendly, involved with their kids, good schools.

Need more information - contact me @ mod cut]

Pam Aquino

[Nell Plotts]

As nice is Sherwood is I see no need to live far from McMinnville ... unless you will be working for Evergreen. If so, that is another reason to rent for a year.

[kimhamblin]

McMinnville is a great little town with charm and nice people. Check out the schools at www.msd.k12.or.us. Sherwood is cute too, but I like the charm of Mac.

[kate on baker creek]

Moved to Mac from Boise 20 years ago...love it now but took several years to get used to the rain.Hang in there its worth it. You can choose from several community types. Yuppie, intellectual, rural, suburban poor,wine snob or aging hippy, something for everyone

[Mrs. Gunsmith]

McMinnville is a nice quaint little town of about 30,000 people. Perrydale School district has one of the best school. It is outside of Amity.

[trixie09]

Love McMinnville! I could totally see raising a family there. The people are nice, the downtown is adorable. it has a great community feeling to it.