LA family moving to Oregon (Portland, Gresham: environment, equity, relocating)

[saimamom]

My husband is looking into a job offer in Portland. He has other offers around LA (Santa Monica, Newport Beach, and near San Francisco). But from what we've seen and heard about Portland, we're intrigued. Housing prices are no problem. They're cheap by So. Cal standards. The rainy, gloomy conditions may bother us eventually since we're so used to having sunny, beautiful days year round here. My biggest concern though is to live in a semi-suburban city that also has activity, arts and culture. We have two kids and another on the way so schools are another concern as well as safety, low crime, and general friendliness of people. An aquaintance of mine, who grew up in Portland told me she hated it because it rains too much and it's too rural, too boring. I'm sure that's all subjective, and personally my family is ready to settle down in a suburban, quiet, life as homeowners.

I guess my question really is that we'd like to have the best of both worlds, a downtown, active vibe, but also suburbia. So should we consider living near downtown Portland (near his job) or further down in the Beaverton or other area? We've never been to Oregon ourselves, so hopefully we'll make a trip and see it firsthand.

[zilfondel]

Yea, most people who sold their So Cal house and moved to Portland liked it because they didn't have to work for about 5 years - they could live off their equity. Luckily our economy is doing a bit better than it was in 2001/02, but the real estate is still pretty cheap.

And subjectively, much of the city of Portland is also pretty quiet and "suburban" (by some standards). It's only the closer-in neighborhoods that get more urban and have the activity that - ironically - you are looking for.

But then lots of people go downtown for fun. Look at my other post for info on Portland-area neighborhoods - you should at least take a look at them, for we are far different than Cali:

What areas of Portland are good places to live?

Otherwise, suburbs like Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego and West Linn are quite posh, suburban, and have that 'keeping up with the Jones's" mentality that many people like. And on top of the high housing prices, they have good schools. If you are in Beaverton and your husband works downtown, he can even take the MAX to work - quite a convenient service.

I would generally avoid Gresham and Hillsboro, as they are pretty far out and.. well, Gresham is kind of crappy. Particularly regarding the whole crime issue, although by Cali standards Portland as a whole is pretty safe.

[saimamom]

Thanks zilfondel, I was actually looking into the areas you mentioned. If we do end up moving there my husband would work at OHSU and living within 5 miles of there would be reasonable. We are interested in going suburban but after 5 years in Manhattan and 2 years in Los Angeles, it may be a bit of a culture shock. Or it may just feel right and peaceful. We're hoping it's the latter considering the beautiful landscape and views of Oregon. I have another question, what do moms with young kids do when it rains so much?

[babycoleslaw]

Originally Posted by saimamom

Thanks zilfondel, I was actually looking into the areas you mentioned. If we do end up moving there my husband would work at OHSU and living within 5 miles of there would be reasonable. We are interested in going suburban but after 5 years in Manhattan and 2 years in Los Angeles, it may be a bit of a culture shock. Or it may just feel right and peaceful. We're hoping it's the latter considering the beautiful landscape and views of Oregon. I have another question, what do moms with young kids do when it rains so much?

Check out www.portlandatplay.com . We're relocating to Portland with 3 small kids after school lets out and our realtor out there sent me this dvd. Has GREAT suggestions for tons of activities.
Good luck!!!

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by saimamom

My biggest concern though is to live in a semi-suburban city that also has activity, arts and culture. We have two kids and another on the way so schools are another concern as well as safety, low crime, and general friendliness of people. An aquaintance of mine, who grew up in Portland told me she hated it because it rains too much and it's too rural, too boring. I'm sure that's all subjective, and personally my family is ready to settle down in a suburban, quiet, life as homeowners.

I guess my question really is that we'd like to have the best of both worlds, a downtown, active vibe, but also suburbia. So should we consider living near downtown Portland (near his job) or further down in the Beaverton or other area? We've never been to Oregon ourselves, so hopefully we'll make a trip and see it firsthand.

I'm not sure of your defintion of suburbia. But here in Portland you can live in a close in / urban neighborhood that is safe, very kid friendly, close to OHSU, and have an active vibe to it. For instance my neighborhood Westmoreland/ Sellwood fits your description... it is close in SE (right across the Ross Island and Sellwood bridge)... the new OHSU tram is just on the west side of these bridges. We have lots of OHSU employees who live in our area and either take mass trans to OHSU or who bike there. You can drive... but parking on the OHSU hill is a plain... thus why the tram went in.

Westmoreland/ Sellwood has lots of fun, funky shops, restaurants, coffee shops, bakerys, antique stores, parks, etc all walking distance. We are a VERY walkable and liveable neighborhood. It's the sort of place that has a small town feel in the middle of an urban center. People know their neighbors, we have block parties, the 5th grade kids walk home from school alone, etc. It's a hip, happening family neighborhood. Check us out on your visit. Plus Westmoreland is a much better commute to OHSU than the burbs.

As far as the rain goes, I'm originally from NC... lots of sun and warm weather. The rain does not bother me. In fact since it's usually a mist it does not keep everyone inside all the time. My kids still play outside in the winter in the rain. I probably do more laundry because of the mud and wet but it doesn't slow us up. And when the sun comes out, EVERYONE is out celebrating the sunshine! It's great.

If you have questions send me a pm... I can fill you in on the public and private schools, preschools etc. Or if you have other questions that I could help with let me know.

Portland is a GREAT city. Good luck with your research!

[zilfondel]

Originally Posted by saimamom

Thanks zilfondel, I was actually looking into the areas you mentioned. If we do end up moving there my husband would work at OHSU and living within 5 miles of there would be reasonable. We are interested in going suburban but after 5 years in Manhattan and 2 years in Los Angeles, it may be a bit of a culture shock. Or it may just feel right and peaceful. We're hoping it's the latter considering the beautiful landscape and views of Oregon. I have another question, what do moms with young kids do when it rains so much?

Ooooooh! How fun. The commute to OHSU is TERRIBLE. I have some friends who live about 3 1/2 miles from it, and their commute takes over 1 hour... worse during rush hour.

I wouldn't do that unless I lived near a bus route, honestly... or you could bike into downtown or south waterfront and take the aerial tram up to work (OHSU employees ride free).

As far as culture shock... lol, we have a lot less energy than NY or LA. Much more laid back and green-oriented. It's great if you like to garden, or like the outdoors. And as far as density and so on... despite what you've heard, Portland really isn't that dense, and living close gives you more convenient options than driving (our transit isn't half bad, and normal people use it).

Now, as far as moms go... hmm, not quite sure as I'm just a young college student. My neighbors, who have small children, seem to be awfully busy running their kids about and playing in the park, however. Honestly, tho, I lived in a neighborhood in Portland which didn't really have anyone under the age of 21 (NW Portland), although I see a lot more strollers these days. I guess you could get them hooked on coffee at a young age, but when I was a kid, I just played in the mud!


Our alternativeness can also be easily illustrated by the fact that we're the biggest beer town in the world.


PS - the OHSU Aerial Tram:

[peony]

Originally Posted by saimamom

I guess my question really is that we'd like to have the best of both worlds, a downtown, active vibe, but also suburbia. So should we consider living near downtown Portland (near his job) or further down in the Beaverton or other area? We've never been to Oregon ourselves, so hopefully we'll make a trip and see it firsthand.

Milwaukie is about seven miles from Portland, and is very nice, according to a friend who lives in Portland. Of course, it has the same climate as Portland. I suggest Googling "Milwaukie, OR," or click on the "search" button, there may be posts about Milwaukie on this site. Good luck!

[bobmulk]

Many moms take their kids to any one of a number of classes or youth oriented activities. The library and Powell's books are big draws....Portlanders are AVID readers and support their bibliophile love with support for the libraries. There's OMSI and art galleries. It really depends on what your kids like.

If I may be so bold, I think you might be looking at the rain thing as this continuous cyclone-like weather! lol Actually, you will become accustomed to it. It's at it's height in the winter, but then you're so wrapped up in the holidays you don't notice it. January and February can have lots of rain, but then, it might just be really cold with no precipitation. The thing is, weather here can run the gamut. I think you'll find that on especially rainy, nasty days, one of the best things you can do is get a book and curl up in an easy chair in one of dozens of cafes, coffee shops or brew pubs. I think you'll love the sense of community from these venues.

Welcome to Oregon!

[saimamom]

Cool, from all your replies I'm getting more and more optimistic about Portland. It's good to know the rain is not a continuous downpour, so mist is not that bad. As for Westmoreland/ Sellwood, I've never heard of those areas, but I will definitely look into them. It sounds like just the kind of place we may want to live (if he gets the job). Thanks PDXmom for all the info.

And zilfondel, are you kidding that a commute can take that long in Oregon?! Geez, I thought getting out of LA would solve that problem.

[bobmulk]

Saimamom: Zil didn't mention if his friends ride a bike or not! lol

I personally can't see a commute in Portland taking an hour for 3.5 miles. Portland does not have a freeway every two miles like L.A. does so the surface streets can get really jammed. Many people bike in Portland which you will see. It's kinda cool, actually, because Oregonians are very environmentally conscious. Me, I NEED my car!

The commute to OHSU can be a bear because it's at the top of a hill--Pill Hill, we call it--and there's really only one road up the hill. But then now we've got the tram that goes up there. Of course, OHSU has offices and labs, etc. all over so I guess it depends on where your hubby works.