Need advice on Small Town America near Portland

[Nell Plotts]

Forest Grove is a nice small town BUT is it quite a drive to their grand children's likely activities. Driving becomes more and more problematic as we enter our mid-70s.

[John Shaft]

My first thought was also Forest Grove, but there's not a direct route to St V - you'd have to go north a ways on rural roads, then hit 26, and head east. 26 can get heavily trafficked. But I think Vancouver is a far worse possibility since you'd pretty much have to come through Portland.

There are still some rural areas north of 26 and west of St V's that would be closer (even closer than North Plains). But again, those aren't really towns. I'm not in that area a lot, but I'm thinking about the areas immediately around Cornelius Pass - there are probably some other roads with similar environments.

[figmalt]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Forest Grove is a nice small town BUT is it quite a drive to their grand children's likely activities. Driving becomes more and more problematic as we enter our mid-70s.

I won't argue with that, but I believe the drive has been somewhat overstated. In reference to John's statement, the roads are rural, but in good repair. Believe me, having grown up in rural ID, these are nothing to be concerned about.

Most of the major/regular traffic snarls on Hwy 26 are after the Cedar Hills exit. I can get to Providence in 15 minutes from the Hillsboro airport. It's not that much farther coming from Forest Grove.

[davefr]

Originally Posted by John Shaft

My first thought was also Forest Grove, but there's not a direct route to St V - you'd have to go north a ways on rural roads, then hit 26, and head east. 26 can get heavily trafficked.

It's easy. Hwy 47 North to Hwy 26 and East to St V.

You'd be there in 30 minutes except during rush hour when Hwy 26 is a parking lot East of 185th. During rush hour I'd do West Union Rd.

You could also take Tri Met since it's the furthest point West in their system.

[wanderbygrace]

I would certainly recommend a look at McMinnville - it is most definitely a "Small Town America" type burg. We have relatives that live there, and just came back from a visit last week - we're from Ohio.

And if you want to go even smaller - as in REALLY small, go five minutes south on 99W to Amity.

McMinnville is very charming, although it can be taxing on the drive from SW PDX - probably just shy of an hour from Providence and lots of lights in Newberg, Sherwood, Tigard, etc.

[Leisesturm]

Me four for the Grove. That said, post #5 should be borne in mind. FG is not comfortably 30 min from PDX, neither is Vancouver. Door to door time and traffic, etc. creep in after the honeymoon is over. "What were we thinking... ...?". Is the move to PDX because of a job at St. V's? If yes, never mind. If no, then I know of a family in FG and gramma and grampa live right around the corner. Its a great place to raise children and its personality, not distance, that determines how in your hair (or vice versa) they want to be. I am all for people making efficient choices. Too often we don't have the opportunity because situation B develops after situation A but, IMO when you have the big picture going in you have the ammunition to set up a nice cushy situation for all concerned. If you don't want more than 30 minutes, why even have 15 minutes if you don't have to? FWIW.

H

EDIT: St. V's is in Beaverton, there must be some nice ruralish places north of there? What's Bethany like? But, maybe, compromise? I know my parents are regretting their decision to get so far out of it

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by davefr

You could also take Tri Met since it's the furthest point West in their system.

That is a very long trip and would involve a change from MAX to the 57 bus in Hillsboro. The 30 minutes would be up by the time of the transfer with 20 minutes still to go.
H

[BeautifulSong]

What about Forest Grove is so great? and what about Forest Grove is NOT so great? Have been thinking about FG too. Just found a friend who lives there and she thinks it is great.