Living in Montavilla?? (Portland, Beaverton, Tigard: houses, safest neighborhood, restaurants)

[goinglikesixty]

Just read the neighborhood association statement for Montavilla and really liked the sentiments. Can anyone comment about the quality of living there, availability of public transportation to downtown, etc.? Thx.

[hamellr]

I used to live about 87th and Stark. Was a terrible neighborhood due to the pimps, hookers, druggies, etc. This seems to have changed quite drastically in the past fives years or so though.

Traffic kind of sucks along 82nd in general, but it's easy to get onto Freeways. MAX access is OK, but the Gateway transit center is probably one of the worse MAX stops around due to freeloaders getting on the train there.

It's an older neighborhood. Most houses were built in the 1950's so typical post WWII Suburban sprawl reigns. Side streets tend to be in bad shape, some are still not even paved. Strip malls with big box stores here and there.

I feel that area has more in common with parts of Beaverton or Tigard then Portland. I'd probably want to live closer into the Mt. Tabor neighborhood if I moved back. But it's not a terrible place to live by any means, just realize that it's a bit rougher of an area since it's got 82nd and I-205 running through it.

The neighborhood association is pretty good though. I feel they'll get to their goals eventually if they keep going the way they are.

[davemess10]

I haven't lived there, but have friends there (who love it) and was looking for houses in the neighborhood. So from my meager perspective.

The transit access is pretty good, especially the further north you go (near 84 where the MAX stop is). Plenty of buses that run straight in to downtown as well.

The neighborhood association is pretty good, and I have a friend who is very active in that group.

Monta Villa has their own Farmer's market and community gardens (but who doesn't in Pdx).

It's probably not the ritziest or absolute safest neighborhood in the city. But it really isn't that bad (especially if you are west of 82nd). There are pockets of shops/restaurants that are getting really trendy and hip, but most of the neighborhood is still kind of blue-collar, 1950's era.