Where is the Best Place to live in Oregon (Portland: unemployment rate, college)

[grace70]

Family and I are looking to relocate to Oregan. Any ideas where there are low-crime neighborhoods, great k-12 schools, and job opportunities. I was looking for something near Portland but I don't know the area so I'm hoping someone can help me with any ideas. I have two young girls and would love to place them in good schools and find employment near by home and schools. Please HELP!!!

[LV501Engr]

Brenda-with you suggesting Portland, is it my misconception that it's like any other big city? Is my view so askew that I'm better off taking a mini vacation there? Unfortunately, I purchased my home in June, which puts my idea of leaving the desert on the back burner for a few years. Of course, shortly after we closed-4 positions in my field came up at Kaiser-Permanente in Portland. Figures.

[pinkpantherfan]

I strongly disagree with you about the snobbishness of Lake Oswego residents. Of course, I live in Mountain Park, maybe that's a different atmosphere than say, the lakefront areas. I eat at the outside area tables at New Seasons grocery all the time and bring my Great Dane along, and everyone stops by to say hi to my dog and then chat. This morning, it took me forever to eat my scone, I had so many people stop to say hi. And they were all strangers. The employees at New Seasons treat customers like they're family or best friends. I meet the same friendly people at the dog park in town. I've lived here 3 years, but am retiring to Bandon because I prefer small towns and the coast, but I think Lake Oswego is a nice place to live, and I'm just a blue collar worker renting an apartment.

[pinkpantherfan]

I think country living without neighbors so close you can hear them if the windows are open is wonderful. All the things mentioned like wildlife, clear skies with stars at night, fresh air, etc. make for a wonderful environment to raise a family. Check out Boring, Sandy, and areas around there; it's very out in the country and people have space to have as many pets and animals as they want. Yet they're close enough to Portland to be a 20 to 25 minute car ride.

[Brenda-by-the-sea]

Originally Posted by LV501Engr

Brenda-with you suggesting Portland, is it my misconception that it's like any other big city?

It's not like any other big city. In particular, it's not like most other big cities in the West. Portland is a city of neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own character and many residents find the character of their particular neighborhood prevails over the general character of the whole metro area. Sometimes, people who think they "don't like Portland," move to another area of the city and find that is suits them very well. In addition, there are other cities like Beaverton and Clackamas that are within the Portland metro area, but are their own urban jurisdictions. Oregon land-use law prioritizes the conservation of agricultural soils, so there are rural areas interspersed throughout the Portland area despite the overall level of development. Here's an overview of the different neighborhoods: Portland Neighborhoods Guide - Portland Oregon

[blanxs28]

My husand was offerd a job in Rosenburg Oregan... Can anyone tell me about that area??? Will i be in the middle of no where??

[Brenda-by-the-sea]

Originally Posted by blanxs28

My husand was offerd a job in Rosenburg Oregan... Can anyone tell me about that area??? Will i be in the middle of no where??

Apparently so. My atlas shows no location anywhere that goes by the name "Rosenburg." In fact...I can't even find an "Oregan."

[aroseinrain]

Originally Posted by Brenda-by-the-sea

Apparently so. My atlas shows no location anywhere that goes by the name "Rosenburg." In fact...I can't even find an "Oregan."

pshaw! Roseburg is considered a bigger town in Oregon, but it's a bit more remote compared with Portland or Eugene. It's big enough to have it's own airport.

[knurly]

Originally Posted by aroseinrain

pshaw! Roseburg is considered a bigger town in Oregon, but it's a bit more remote compared with Portland or Eugene. It's big enough to have it's own airport.

I heard its big enough for a troupe of homeless vagabonds to crawl out from under I5 each morning to panhandle at the truck stop?

[aroseinrain]

Originally Posted by knurly

I heard its big enough for a troupe of homeless vagabonds to crawl out from under I5 each morning to panhandle at the truck stop?

...sounds like many towns and small cities to me.