Lake Oswego vs. West Linn (Sherwood: home, school, income)

[Nature Girl]

Yes! It is a wonderful festival. My daughter joined the dance team last year after watching them perform! I love that park!!

Originally Posted by SeeBee

Did you go to the Art Festival at Mary S. Young? Love that park...

[Nature Girl]

Well I can't say what I would REALLY want to say to a certain poster out of respect to the forum rules. I am not personally an Oregonian, but I have noticed myself that they are more layed back.
I am a Northern California gal through and through.

Originally Posted by esya

Thanks for the interesting discussion. If this is an example of a "heated discussion" then it's the sort of mellowness that I have come to expect from Oregonites.

I recently visited the two towns/cities and even though LO seems gorgeous I liked the down to earth qualities of WL better.

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

Well I can't say what I would REALLY want to say to a certain poster out of respect to the forum rules. I am not personally an Oregonian, but I have noticed myself that they are more layed back.
I am a Northern California gal through and through.

Have you been to the Lavendar Festival in West Linn (actually, the Stafford Area)? It's been a few years since I was there, but it was very lovely - food, clothing, paintings, pottery, music All of it centered around lavendar (sp?). Very kid friendly, too. Don't know if the lady is still hosting it - it was on her lavendar farm. WL has a good number of neighborhood festivals and art shows.

I too think we should follow the rules out of respect, but it's sometimes hard not say what's on your mind. Especially when certain posters like to insult and cause trouble (). It's kind of a game to some folks. But you don't seem like you take the bait - !!!

Yup, I'd vote for West Linn, all three parts of it, to be much more family and neighborhood oriented than Lake Oswego.

[Metlakatla]

I am not personally an Oregonian,

I am, thank Heaven

Lake O is certainly not for everyone.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

Have you been to the Lavendar Festival in West Linn (actually, the Stafford Area)? It's been a few years since I was there, but it was very lovely - food, clothing, paintings, pottery, music All of it centered around lavendar (sp?). Very kid friendly, too. Don't know if the lady is still hosting it - it was on her lavendar farm. WL has a good number of neighborhood festivals and art shows.

I too think we should follow the rules out of respect, but it's sometimes hard not say what's on your mind. Especially when certain posters like to insult and cause trouble (). It's kind of a game to some folks. But you don't seem like you take the bait - !!!

Yup, I'd vote for West Linn, all three parts of it, to be much more family and neighborhood oriented than Lake Oswego.

No, I've never heard of that festival! It does sound nice. I will have to look into it now, thanks for the info! I agree with you, it is much more friendly and homey in WL. I have friends in LO and we spend a lot of time there so I see the difference! When we were looking to buy it was between the two cities and after really getting the feel of WL, it was hands down for us. There's definitley a different vibe.

What city are you in if you don't mind me asking? And no, I do not take the bait from snobs!!

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I am, thank Heaven

Lake O is certainly not for everyone.

If you are meaning "not for everyone" due to the fact that some people are friendly and kind, then yes, I 100% agree with ya!

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

What city are you in if you don't mind me asking? And no, I do not take the bait from snobs!!

No, not at all. I currently live in Milwaukie. But when I first move to PDX I lived in West Linn and loved it; it was more of a small town atmosphere then, everybody knew everybody else, lots of "old-time" farmers and landowners - still that way to a certain extent. You know, the kind of farmer who drives a beat-up old Ford pickup, but owned half of Pete's Mountain or Stafford. Maybe that's the vibe that still carries over. When I was married, we bought a house up in Sunset near Barrington Heights (which wasn't Barrington Heights then, just average, working-class people!).

I, too, have friends who live in Lake Oswego. Their family have lived there for generations, all the waaaay back when the lake itself was a little stream (it's a man-made lake). That's what you call "original homesteaders!" Even they think it's pretty snobby, but they've got a beautiful house there, very French country (which I love).

(BTW, no original family residents call it LakeO anymore, if ever - if you catch my drift - )

Have a great week.....

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

No, not at all. I currently live in Milwaukie. But when I first move to PDX I lived in West Linn and loved it; it was more of a small town atmosphere then, everybody knew everybody else, lots of "old-time" farmers and landowners - still that way to a certain extent. You know, the kind of farmer who drives a beat-up old Ford pickup, but owned half of Pete's Mountain or Stafford. Maybe that's the vibe that still carries over. When I was married, we bought a house up in Sunset near Barrington Heights (which wasn't Barrington Heights then, just average, working-class people!).

I, too, have friends who live in Lake Oswego. Their family have lived there for generations, all the waaaay back when the lake itself was a little stream (it's a man-made lake). That's what you call "original homesteaders!" Even they think it's pretty snobby, but they've got a beautiful house there, very French country (which I love).

(BTW, no original family residents call it LakeO anymore, if ever - if you catch my drift - )

Have a great week.....

Yes, you nailed it! WL still has that down to earth, country feel. I love the farming area when driving down Rosemont towards Stafford. Still very country. I love the kind of people that even if they have money and live an affluent lifestyle, they can still be friendly, non-snobby, and non-judgemental! Back home everyone you came in contact with was this way and I sure miss it! I guess it's those who have worked hard to get where they are, opposed to people who are born into money. They tend to appreciate it less!

I can't imagine LO looking that way at one time! I would love to see pictures of that!

[123ZZZ]

Originally Posted by esya

I recently visited the two towns/cities and even though LO seems gorgeous I liked the down to earth qualities of WL better.

Lake O is gorgeous!

But I keep hearing that people in West Linn are more "down to earth and friendly" than those in Lake Oswego. I couldn't disagree more.

It seems, from even the relatives I have in West Linn, that many are saying West Linn is finally superior to Lake Oswego. Why? Because recent reports show the average income is higher in West Linn compared to Lake Oswego. However, the average family income is still higher in Lake Oswego. The bottom line is: for decades those in West Linn have hated being 2nd to Lake Oswego and now feel they have evidence to prove otherwise.

Typically, it's those in West Linn, not Lake Oswego, who feel they have something to prove to those living in other cities. "We're just as good as Lake Oswego!!!!" they scream. But who can blame them? It's been difficult living in our shadow and being the Lake O wannabe for so many years .

The facts remain, though...
Lake Oswego has the reputation. We don't need to flaunt it or prove it because we've got it. But many that I know in West Linn feel the need to flaunt and prove themselves because they haven't always had this reputation and still don't completely have it. This makes them come off more snobby and less down to earth because they always feel the need to prove they are equal to Lake Oswego. I'll admit, it is a nice ego booster that they try so hard to be equal to us . But it's kind of annoying, ridiculous and even more snobby because they keep bringing it up!

Many people that I've talked to in West Linn always have to bring up, "well, you know West Linn has surpassed Lake Oswego in bla bla bla". BUT even if West Linn surpasses Lake Oswego in average income AND average family income (which they haven't), Lake Oswego is a city with decades of wealth, which has made it a place of envy for those around the state. Driving around Lake Oswego and West Linn, one can see the differences clear as crystal.

[Wicked Felina]

Originally Posted by 123ZZZ

However, the average family income is still higher in Lake Oswego.

Who cares? I didn't realize this was all about money...typical....

Originally Posted by 123ZZZ

Typically, it's those in West Linn, not Lake Oswego, who feel they have something to prove to those living in other cities. "We're just as good as Lake Oswego!!!!" they scream.

OMG, really???

Originally Posted by 123ZZZ

But who can blame them? It's been difficult living in our shadow...

OK, this is cute!!!

Originally Posted by 123ZZZ

Lake Oswego is a city with decades of wealth, which has made it a place of envy for those around the state.

Good Lord, control yourself- again, with the money. What are you folks compensating for?

Originally Posted by 123ZZZ

Driving around Lake Oswego and West Linn, one can see the differences clear as crystal.

I couldn't agree more; that's the point! ~