What is Gresham like? (Portland, Salem: sales, apartments, lease)

[akamer]

I have read alot about the towns around Portland except Gresham? We are moving to Oregon mid August and we are looking at Gresham! Any input would be great!

[EnricoV]

Gresham has its good and bad points. Its located near the Gorge, which makes you closer access to all those wonderful scenic sites and to the mountains. But it also puts you in a direct line when the cold winds blow down out of the Gorge (which is where our cold weather comes from -- meaning ice or snow). So Gresham can get the brunt of it.

Like most towns, there are nicer areas and not so nice areas of it. In general, the area from 122nd (in Portland) out towards Gresham seem to be where you hear more crime happening. I'd guess to the north and east of Gresham would be the nicer areas. There seems to be a lot of new development out toward the Columbia with nice homes and apartments. But ... I've never lived out that way, so these are just my general impressions.

My know someone who moved out there while attending Mt. Hood Community College, but as soon as his lease was up, moved back to the North Clackamas area where he'd come from, and commuted. He didn't like it, but it could have been just his area. I have friends who live kind of rurally, east of town, and love it.

[akamer]

Thank you for your input! I read my thread and it really didn't come out the way I intended! I have done alot of research on Oregon and I have looked into Gresham from the beginning I liked the city.. The size of it is compariable to where we are moving from.. But I am almost positive there is more crime here.. Where we are coming from we have really yucky winter weather so I am already used to ice and snow and winds.. I was just wanting to get some input from people there and see what there thoughts were.. My husband is in law enforcement and it sounds like the departments there are good.. I am transferring with my job and they have a store in Gresham so it looks as if it is all gonna work out... I am looking forward to getting there! I am looking forward to making new friends and enjoying life!

[LewisMel]

Hi there,

I live in Gresham and work in gresham mod cut: and i think you will like it here. Gresham has some lovely positives, you just have to know the right spots. SW Gresham and East Gresham are better, mod cut:. You can also see my blog on Moving to Gresham, this should give you a little more info. Good Luck. mod cut:. I moved here from Australia 11 years ago so i know what it can be like starting all over and meeting new people!

[hybridbn]

Does anyone else have any comments on those icy winds off the gorge? I am moving my family from Florida and the Gorge or even farther East like The Dalles would be perfect geographically for my new sales territory but I don't want a place with even worse ice and winds than Portland!

[archer75]

The gorge winds affect Troutdale the most. And parts of north gresham. We live on the east side of gresham which is nice. I couldn't tell you how many times I leave my truck unlocked and nothing's happened.

The areas to avoid are the Rockwood area primarily. I like the East and South sides of Gresham but there can be bad pockets there too. It all depends on which neighborhood you pick. But overall I feel safe here.

But as far as the Gorge ice it only happens in the winter time and only sometimes. It's not an all winter long kind of thing. A few days here and there.

[hybridbn]

Thank you for your answer. I am surprised there is so much talk of crime. I assume that is what you meant when you refer to "areas to avoid" and "bad pockets". Are we talking gangs and murders or just basic theft? The farther East I could live , the better for my job. I will commute to the Columbia Basin (Tri Cities) in WA and also to Salem/Corvallis area. I have a 15 yr old girl and 12 yr old boy who need a good school. Any specific thoughts? I can afford a $250-300k house.