I've narrowed my questions: small towns near Portland & also apartments/houses with view of Portland Downtown skyline (McMinnville: rentals)

[Melissa E]

ok, i'm wondering about some opinions of the best small towns near Portland - within 20-40 min. i've been searching lots of the info on the site, which is great. what i'm looking for is a cozy, friendly, well educated, town with atleast some things to do! it has to have a safe road to portland. a place with a well kept reputation. if we move into portland i would like a place right with a view of downtown portland at night. is southwest area an ok area in your opinion? does anyone know of any nice but not too expensive rentals in that area with that view?

[EnricoV]

Portland, dividing areas to the west, has what are called the West Hills. They will block any view of the city from the west. I'm don't think there's anywhere to the east, that i more than a a suburb of the city, where you'd have a view like that. Really, the only possibility would be to the north, in Vancouver and its surroundings.

You'd probably need to be looking at places that are a bit higher in elevation.

[Silverfall]

Forest Grove or Banks would be your best bet for small towns, or maybe Sandy...depending on how you define small town.

You can't live in a small town and have a view of downtown Portland. Apartment buildings are 3 stories max so any potential views would be blocked by other buildings, hills, or trees.

[Melissa E]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

Portland, dividing areas to the west, has what are called the West Hills. They will block any view of the city from the west. I'm don't think there's anywhere to the east, that i more than a a suburb of the city, where you'd have a view like that. Really, the only possibility would be to the north, in Vancouver and its surroundings.

You'd probably need to be looking at places that are a bit higher in elevation.

Ok i saw that pic of the dowtown with the bridge and the lake and I was just wondering what was there on that other side of it .. like any apts right there on that lake.

[Melissa E]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

Forest Grove or Banks would be your best bet for small towns, or maybe Sandy...depending on how you define small town.

You can't live in a small town and have a view of downtown Portland. Apartment buildings are 3 stories max so any potential views would be blocked by other buildings, hills, or trees.

it was two different questions - i said IF we move to portland i would like that view, otherwise we'd probably like a smaller town. i'll check out those towns. i've looked some into sandy.

[Rob Allen]

Buildings that wouldn't be expensive elsewhere become expensive when you put them somewhere that has a nice view. I just don't know of a place that's inexpensive and has a nice view of downtown. Maybe there are some new high-rises that have lowered their prices recently?

For small towns, Forest Grove, Banks and Sandy are good suggestions. Also check Sherwood, Newberg & McMinnville.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Melissa E

Ok i saw that pic of the dowtown with the bridge and the lake and I was just wondering what was there on that other side of it .. like any apts right there on that lake.

Lake...do you mean the Willamette River?

Anything that views the Willamette isn't going to be cheap.