Lake Oswego vs. West Linn (Portland, St. Helens: houses, neighborhoods, high school)

[Metlakatla]

Yes, Lake Oswego's downtown has a lot to offer -- movie theatre, George Rogers Park, shopping, dining, ice cream, a view and walkway along Oswego Lake. It is also very well-kept and beautiful.

Nothing like it can be found in West Linn.

I know that it can work well for some people, but a place without a good downtown is just too "suburban" for me, and I think it's a rather alienating way to live.

[Nature Girl]

Sorry, but you get WAY more for your money in WL. LO is much more expensive, not a little. They may share the average home price, but you get double the sq.footage in WL! That can be very important for growing families. Most people would rather get more for their buck, and still be close to downtown LO to enjoy the amenties. For us, it's like living there as well! The two option high school is not as important to us (not to say it wouldn't be for other's though), we are very happy with our set up here. Other than the downtown issue, I do not see much of a difference. Like I said, we can all still easily get to LO and have the best of both worlds. But hey, like you said, if you can afford it, LO is a great place to live. For us, we would still rather live here in WL. There are more pros than cons, and we get so much more for our money!!

[Metlakatla]

If it works for you, that's good. But I really enjoy being able to visit the family and be right on the lake with so much within walking distance, and I know that they love their life there as well.

[bradly]

LAKE OSWEGO! No questions asked!
hahaha, talk about freaking beautiful

[Nature Girl]

And we enjoy it too. Lucky to have both!! It's funny how some people cannot admit that WL is just as beautiful as LO. It blows me away. I guess if you live here, you see more, but still baffles me.

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

If it works for you, that's good. But I really enjoy being able to visit the family and be right on the lake with so much within walking distance, and I know that they love their life there as well.

[Metlakatla]

You quoted me in your post, so I guess you're referring to me when you say this?

It's funny how some people cannot admit that WL is just as beautiful as LO.

Why on earth would I admit to something that isn't the truth in my eyes? To me, WL isn't as beautiful as Lake O. It may be to you and that's fine; it's all very subjective anyway. Why so defensive about West Linn anyway?

Personally, I prefer Lake O. for reasons I have already stated. I like the fact that it has a downtown and is community in it's own right rather than a suburb of Portland and that it's an older, more well established place. No, I don't personally live there but as certain family members have about 100 years into the area I believe I'm entitled to an opinion of it.

Sorry, Nature, but I have nothing to "admit" to. WL is just a Lake O wannabe with it's cheap little McMansions. There. That will give you something to get overly excited about, since that seems to be what you're looking for. Either that, or understand that other people have every right to their opinions without trying to twist their words into something that wasn't even meant.

My apologies if I sounded harsh but your statement struck me as rather inane given the fact that I said nothing negative whatsoever concerning West Linn in the post that you quoted me in.

[123ZZZ]

Metlakatla, don't get so mad! Sheesh! I don't think NatureGirl meant to offend you in any way.

But back to this debate.

I also, personally don't feel West Linn is as beautiful at Lake Oswego. When driving down the streets in Lake Oswego you will see landscaped trees, flowers, statues and newly painted street posts and signs. You don't see that nearly as much in West Linn. You also have the beauty of Oswego Lake and the Willamette River, whereas you only have the Willamette River in West Linn. The fact is, Lake Oswego is built around a lake whereas West Linn is divided into three areas that aren't particularly special.

You can't expect West Linn to be nearly as beautiful as Lake Oswego because Lake Oswego has been very conscious about land-use planning and zoning for decades and West Linn has only become that way recently.

The fact is, Lake Oswego has two top-ranked high schools and junior highs, whereas West Linn only has one of each. Living in Lake Oswego provides you with more choice for you child's education and more opportunities in sports and extra curricular activities.

Furthermore, NatureGirl keeps conveniently leaving out the distance from Portland. This is a big issue if you work in the city (which many do) or enjoy all the events going on in Portland. It takes double the time to enter Portland from West Linn. During rush hour that can be a nightmare!

The bottom line is, Lake Oswego has all the amenities those in West Linn must travel to use. We have them right in our backyard...how nice!

[Metlakatla]

Metlakatla, don't get so mad! Sheesh! I don't think NatureGirl meant to offend you in any way.

LOL, probably not. But she sure rushed to twist my post into something that it wasn't. Oh well; whatever her reasoning was there, it really doesn't matter. I am glad that she is happy where she lives.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

You quoted me in your post, so I guess you're referring to me when you say this?



Why on earth would I admit to something that isn't the truth in my eyes? To me, WL isn't as beautiful as Lake O. It may be to you and that's fine; it's all very subjective anyway. Why so defensive about West Linn anyway?

Personally, I prefer Lake O. for reasons I have already stated. I like the fact that it has a downtown and is community in it's own right rather than a suburb of Portland and that it's an older, more well established place. No, I don't personally live there but as certain family members have about 100 years into the area I believe I'm entitled to an opinion of it.

Sorry, Nature, but I have nothing to "admit" to. WL is just a Lake O wannabe with it's cheap little McMansions. There. That will give you something to get overly excited about, since that seems to be what you're looking for. Either that, or understand that other people have every right to their opinions without trying to twist their words into something that wasn't even meant.

My apologies if I sounded harsh but your statement struck me as rather inane given the fact that I said nothing negative whatsoever concerning West Linn in the post that you quoted me in.

Relax! I wasn't referring to you at all. I had read that last post from the OP and it struck me that I hear how beautiful LO is all the time, and how WL cannot compare. I quoted you for the "if that's what you like" comment. Sorry for adding a bitmore, didn't think I would get reprimanded for it!! I was having a nice debate with the OP and then you came on sounding very snobby and rude! And I am not defensive about WL, read back our discussions please, we are discussing the pros and cons for future residents to be able to make a better decision. Perfect example in regards to the "friendly" factor and why I chose WL!

[Nature Girl]

"Sorry, Nature, but I have nothing to "admit" to. WL is just a Lake O wannabe with it's cheap little McMansions. There. That will give you something to get overly excited about, since that seems to be what you're looking for. Either that, or understand that other people have every right to their opinions without trying to twist their words into something that wasn't even meant."

Man, talk about being nasty for no reason!! Go back to your lake house and look up "anger management" classes!