Fairview area? (Portland, Beaverton, Beaver: apartments, houses, schools)

[beanmama]

I have fantasies of living on the water (I grew up on a lake and loved it.)

I know that's near impossible these days... but Fairview might be possible.

We have to live near Portland as my husband will be commuting there frequently.

Any familiarity with Fairview or that area?

[beanmama]

... bump?

We are concentrating mostly in Beaverton right now -- but I'd still love any impressions of Fairview.

I'm going to be visiting the area again in early May.

[KenQuinby]

Originally Posted by beanmama

I have fantasies of living on the water (I grew up on a lake and loved it.)

I know that's near impossible these days... but Fairview might be possible.

We have to live near Portland as my husband will be commuting there frequently.

Any familiarity with Fairview or that area?

R U still curious? I just discovered this site. I have been in Fairview for 11 years.
Fairview has 2 large lakes, Blue Lake, with very trendy & expensive homes on one side with a regional park on the other side; Blue Lake Park. It features private boat access only.
The south lake is Fairview lake which has a boat speed limit of 10 mph. Nice homes surround it with prices ranging from $250k & up. There's still some build-able lots next to Pelfrey Park, owned by Henry Pelfrey. You can google that for satellite photos.
There's also some cottages & nicer apartments on Salish Ponds at the south border of the city.
It's 10 minutes from PDX & normally 15-20 minutes to downtown Portland, but the rush hour commute can get nasty from I-205 in to I-5, on what is termed the Banfield "parking lot".

[mitchere]

I live in Fairview. It is kind of a strange place. It is a tiny little town in the middle of Portland. Haha. The actual town part w/the post office, library, etc, is really cute, and has a lot of nice houses around it. Fairview also has a really nice Target right in the middle of it. Haha.

As far as living on a lake, I haven't really experienced it much. The only problem with Blue Lake Park is unless you live on it or in walking distance of it, you really can't go there very often because you have to pay to park there. I live about 2 miles from blue lake, but I've never even been there...haha. I always plan to go, but there really aren't any nice walking paths (or even sidewalks) that you can walk on to get there, and I never want to pay for the parking.

[tmichael83]

Is Fairview a good, safe place to live? I want to move to Or and I am not sure where to go. My family is diverse, husband is white I am black and we have three kids. I know it might sound selfish of me or even racist of me to choose a place based on race, but we live in Idaho now where the only black ppl you see, are unusually only there because they go to school. Our oldest is 10 and will be in the 5th grade this year. She has had some hard times since we moved here. Last year she was told one of her friends did not like her because she was black and was called names. I just want to move some where were she won't stand out so much. So I guess my question is this, is Oregon in general a good place to be if you are a minority?

[popswuzrite]

Originally Posted by beanmama

... bump?

We are concentrating mostly in Beaverton right now -- but I'd still love any impressions of Fairview.

I'm going to be visiting the area again in early May.

Trust me, stick with Beaverton. A smart person would stay in Cali.

[popswuzrite]

Originally Posted by tmichael83

Is Fairview a good, safe place to live? I want to move to Or and I am not sure where to go. My family is diverse, husband is white I am black and we have three kids. I know it might sound selfish of me or even racist of me to choose a place based on race, but we live in Idaho now where the only black ppl you see, are unusually only there because they go to school. Our oldest is 10 and will be in the 5th grade this year. She has had some hard times since we moved here. Last year she was told one of her friends did not like her because she was black and was called names. I just want to move some where were she won't stand out so much. So I guess my question is this, is Oregon in general a good place to be if you are a minority?

North Portland would be a better fit for you. Try Lombard area. It's a nice area, good public transit, shopping, schools. I've lived in Fairview for 5 years and it's gone to hell in that time. Expensive only due to a few nice properties, and it sits only a block from a heavily traveled I-84. And next to a RXR track. The West side of Portland is growing and is much more diverse.

[popswuzrite]

Originally Posted by KenQuinby

R U still curious? I just discovered this site. I have been in Fairview for 11 years.
Fairview has 2 large lakes, Blue Lake, with very trendy & expensive homes on one side with a regional park on the other side; Blue Lake Park. It features private boat access only.
The south lake is Fairview lake which has a boat speed limit of 10 mph. Nice homes surround it with prices ranging from $250k & up. There's still some build-able lots next to Pelfrey Park, owned by Henry Pelfrey. You can google that for satellite photos.
There's also some cottages & nicer apartments on Salish Ponds at the south border of the city.
It's 10 minutes from PDX & normally 15-20 minutes to downtown Portland, but the rush hour commute can get nasty from I-205 in to I-5, on what is termed the Banfield "parking lot".

To live on either of those lakes you'll need a VERY good job. Blue lake has been closed to water recreation several times due to contamination, as have most of Portland area waterways, including rivers. Too much industry mixed with too much up-stream agriculture.