Where are the nice area's outside of Portland??? (Tigard, McMinnville: buying, good schools)

[mncamper]

Looking at coming from Northern MN. Of course we understand that this area of the country is totally different! However, we'd like to be somewhere nice and friendly, clean, safe, with good schools. I've been reading a lot of different posts and boy some of you like it there and some of you hate it??? Where outside of Portland (even a couple of hours drive) would you suggest looking to at living??? This is really looking to be a very difficult decision Any help would be really appreciated.

[babycoleslaw]

Originally Posted by mncamper

Looking at coming from Northern MN. Of course we understand that this area of the country is totally different! However, we'd like to be somewhere nice and friendly, clean, safe, with good schools. I've been reading a lot of different posts and boy some of you like it there and some of you hate it??? Where outside of Portland (even a couple of hours drive) would you suggest looking to at living??? This is really looking to be a very difficult decision Any help would be really appreciated.

I've seen that quite a few people mention areas like Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville. I checked those areas out before relocating but found them to be just too far from Portland and a tad small for my taste.
We ended up buying in Tigard which is a suburb of Portland and find it's great if you are looking for a family area and have kids....We can get downtown in no time if traffic isn't at a standstill (which as a native Houstonian I find to be not an issue)! Good luck with your search and decision!

[nancy thereader]

Does the transit system of Portland come out that far?

[Supernova7]

Originally Posted by babycoleslaw

I've seen that quite a few people mention areas like Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville. I checked those areas out before relocating but found them to be just too far from Portland and a tad small for my taste.
We ended up buying in Tigard which is a suburb of Portland and find it's great if you are looking for a family area and have kids....We can get downtown in no time if traffic isn't at a standstill (which as a native Houstonian I find to be not an issue)! Good luck with your search and decision!

You mentioned that you're a Native Houstonian. I'm wondering if you can tell me if moving to Portland was better than staying in Houston, if so, in what ways has your life changed? I'm looking to relocate in 2008/2009 to either Portland or Houston but leaning far more towards Portland due to the politics, atmosphere and better life. As a whole would you say Portland is better or worse than Houston.

I know Houston's cost of living is lower as well as a strong economy but other factors need to be taken in to consideration. It's been a difficult choice as I like both cities for varied reasons. Your thoughts?