Relo - info on area n of Hwy 26 or Forest Grove & parts south (Portland: equity)

[quiz1]

Hi-

This forum is fantastic and everyone is so helpful. I could use a little opinionated advice.....

We'll be relocating from Bay Area to Hillsboro. Have to apologize for being from Cali but we're originally from Washington, just have moved a lot for my husband's job. No, we don't have that wonderful Ca equity. We rent here.

As this will most likely be our last move, we are trying to very carefully consider where to settle down. We want ample square footage, a nice relatively spacious back yard, and that "suburban" feel. We also don't want to live in Portland. It's a wonderful place, but we're more of the "square" types I guess that seeks to ruin the quiet countryside LOL.

We've kind of narrowed our search down so far to outside Hillsboro, like Forest Grove, unless a great re-sell comes on the market, Newberg/McMinnville/LaFayette.

But we don't know much about area north of Hwy 26. We haven't scouted it yet, but we've heard there are some nice areas. I know there is new construction in Scappoose? We are interested in commutes, approximate prices, all that stuff.

If you could spare some time and advice, I'd really appreciate it!!

Thanks all.

[lilypad]

A friend of mine has land near Newberg, and is very green, hilly and beautiful. He has a little lake, deer feed there, has fruit trees, berry bushes, very wonderful place. Cute little towns all through there.

[tiffela74]

be careful where in FG you chose. There are some incredible houses there, some for a very good deal. Its nice in the fact that it is rather out of the way, but not too far from anything at the same time. I would highly recommend if you have any kids, to go out of the district for HS. I went to school there, my dad lives there still, and I have a niece there at the HS and its actually gotten worse year to year. There is a pretty high amount of illegals and Mexican immigrants there in FG and surrounding area. I vollenteered parts of my summers to work in a migrant childrens care center, we'd go on buses to the migrant farms, pick up the kids and take em to a school where we had set up a child care center for the summers. And I can tell ya, there were a LOT of camps around there! FG is also right by Cornelious, which the majority of those who live there, are hispanic/mexican.
On the upside, there is a nice smaller college there in town, Pacific University (ya, PU. we loved that as kids lol) they have a nicer aquatic center, all your basics (safeway, fred meyers, STARBUCKS hehe,) and America's biggest CostCo is about 15min. away. Theres several parks, Hagg Lake, streams and criks (great crawdads!!) The weather isnt too exteme, and its a short drive to the beach. (about an hour if you dont ever speed) Theres some wonderful churches and neat little fairs/markets going on often. If you like Blueberrys, youre gonna love the Blueberry festivel!! Theres the world famous Barbershop quartet contests there, and the annual Corn Roast. Like anywhere, youre gonna have some idiots, and jerks, but maybe you'll get lucky and move by my Dad and get yourself a great neighbor and friend for life.
Good luck on your move!!
Tiffany

[quiz1]

Thanks all for your help.