Lake Oswego vs. West Linn (Portland: buy, schools, places to live)

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by SeeBee

Hey, you should work as a writer for David Letterman!!! ~

You crack me up too SeeBee!

[123ZZZ]

A letter in the weekly Lake Oswego Review from visitors from England.

‘What a fine place L.O. is’
BY COLIN AND EILEEN TOWNLEY
Sep 11, 2008 (2 Reader comments)

The following is an open letter to Lake Oswego Mayor Judie Hammerstand and the Lake Oswego City Council:

Dear Mayor and Councilors:

Our daughter, son-in-law and only grandson have lived in Lake Oswego for nine years. The downside of this is that they are over 5,000 miles away and we miss them greatly. The upside is that once a year we make the long journey to Oregon, exploring another bit of the USA en route, and then spend a few weeks with them. We have just returned from our latest visit and we feel that we must tell you what a fine place Lake Oswego is.

First of all, what a wonderful environment you provide in your city: Clean and cared for with no litter or graffiti. And the floral decorations that you provide and maintain – as good as we have seen anywhere in the world. How many petunias do you plant each year to fill those hanging baskets and roadside flower beds? To walk in your streets is a pleasure.

Next we thank you for your public parks. We love Millennium Plaza – a perfect social centre. And in George Rogers and Foothills parks we spend hours walking, admiring the views of the river and enjoying a picnic. Next year we look forward to seeing the new (park) development next to the Lake Shore Inn which will open up the lake to public view. In sum, the environment you have provided demonstrates an enviable level of civic pride which we have seen equalled nowhere in our extensive travels.

And finally, thank you for the cultural features that you make available within your city environment. The street sculptures are a constant pleasure and, no matter how much we walk around downtown Lake Oswego, we keep finding new ones that we haven’t seen before. The farmers markets are a weekly pleasure with the color and variety of the stalls, the exquisite doggie care system and the music. Each week we have attended some of the lunchtime concerts and they too were a great pleasure. I’m even forced to confess that I actually found myself beginning to like country and western! And this year we were fortunate to be there for the Lake Oswego Wine Festival, which we thought was outstanding with a great atmosphere.

So, from a rural and pleasant part of England, we send you our sincere thanks and best wishes. I’m sure you know this already but Lake Oswego is one of the most desirable habitations we have seen anywhere in the world and we believe that it is blessed with an imaginative, energetic and highly effective city council. Congratulations on what you continue to achieve and we look forward so much to visiting you again in 2009.

Colin and Eileen Townley are residents of Stamford, England.

Source: http://lakeoswegoreview.com/opinion/...08736949916100

And there you have it from people from England!

[RefrigerateAfterOpening]

Of course, the aesthetics and amenities are subjective. Some things are important to some, while not important to others.

However, a very successful and prominent realtor I know who does business all over Portland points out that Lake Oswego homes will generally sell faster because more people will look for a home in Lake Oswego, simply because of its location and proximity not only to Portland, but because the commute to Nike, Intel and HP on the west side is so much more doable from Lake Oswego than it is from West Linn (not to mention one is forced to use only 43 or a roundabout 205-84 route to downtown Portland).

I looked in both when I moved here and felt there was a lack of character in West Linn, mostly because there didn't seem to be a town center. Not only does LO have one, it's gorgeous. I've learned to appreciate the West Linn and its parks and views a bit more, and it has grown (they did develop shopping center down near 205 with some good dining choices) since I've lived here, but still am very glad I moved to Lake Oswego.

Needless to say, both are nicer than most other places in the world to live.

[mano0o]

hi

sorry fro bothering u !

but i have a question about west linn , oregon area

we just moved to west linn I and my wife , we are in age 55

we liked here alot , but we are looking for good clinic in west linn area or close , we need primay care doctor (internal doctor) do u know any ? i heard about legacy west linn clinic , it seems new do u know anything about it ? we really need help we are new here, we are from utah but org from india
thank u

[123ZZZ]

"Lake Oswego schools receive exceptional marks
by Su-Jin Yim and Wendy Owen, The Oregonian
Thursday October 09, 2008, 5:30 AM

For the second year in a row, all 13 Lake Oswego schools received top marks on their state report cards. Every school in the 6,800-student district earned exceptional ratings.

It is the only midsize district in the state to earn overall exceptionals. Lake Oswego first achieved the milestone about four years ago, then missed a year.

"It's tremendous," said Lake Oswego Superintendent Bill Korach. "It's a great tribute to our staff and our parents and most of all to our kids."

The Legislature mandated school report cards in 1999 to clarify how schools perform. The ratings mainly come from student test scores, but also factor in issues such as attendance, SAT scores, how many students took the tests and whether the school is improving.

Schools earn ratings of exceptional, strong, satisfactory, low or unacceptable.

The West Linn-Wilsonville district scored a total of nine strong ratings and four exceptionals. The one satisfactory went to its alternative school."

Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamasc...eceive_ex.html

Just a little compare and contrast according to the recent school rankings.

[JHG722]

Go LO!

[123ZZZ]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Go LO!

Best in the state!!

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by 123ZZZ

Best in the state!!

LOL I wouldn't know, but from everything I've read, I'd imagine so. I'll get there one day soon.

[vks]

Both nice cities with excellent schools, parks, and commutes to Portland. It seems to me that LO is more beautiful, but in a fake/Disneyland sort of way. I prefer the natural beauty of West Linn. It is more relaxed, less fussy.

[hollandv]

Wow, reading this thread one year after posting, and it still crackles. From afar -- without having visited either town yet but considering both for my next move -- I have to say West Linn sounds much more welcoming. The two main LO cheerleaders (and a couple in the peanut gallery) put on quite a superior, odious air. What a turn-off.

Will be up to scout properties soon. Interesting to see how they compare. Is West Linn really a shabby hodgepodge of wannabes living in McMansions as one poster says? Is Lake Oswego at heart just a snooty faux village dripping with disdain and flower baskets?

We'll see.