relocation advice? (Portland, Gresham, Beaverton: neighborhood, schools, living in)

[bluepuma2004]

Hello,
We are currently living in Corvallis and my husband is about to finally receive his CPA license. His plan is to work for a CPA firm in the Portland area. We are not big-city people and not familiar with Portland at all. We’re hoping to find a ‘city within the big city’. A smaller area, clean and nice, decent schools, family-friendly (we have a two year old and plan to expand our family), close to I-5? I know this is a lot to ask but does anyone have a clue of what area/suburb/town in or around Portland might match up to this, or come at all close? So far I have heard that Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Gresham and Aloha are all big NO’s. Lake Oswego would be nice but is probably too expensive for us starting out and West Linn is a little too south (in case he works downtown – trying to prevent a bad commute).

Multnomah Village has been recommended to me but I’m not sure why, but anyway so now I’m curious about the whole west side of Portland, is it decent? It seems smaller, as if the east side is way more ‘big city living’. Or am I off base?

I would SO appreciate hearing where you think are nice areas for a young family or where we should avoid and why. We will surely miss Corvallis but hoping to find an area that will suffice. Thanks again for any advice or thoughts.

[PDXmom]

If you are looking for a small town feel within the city, check out the neighborhood of Sellwood / Westmoreland. We are in the city (close in SE), just 5 mins across the bridge to downtown. Even though we are in the city our neighborhood has a small town feel. You know your neighbors, you can walk to shops, restaurants, schools, store, library, parks. And it's a FABULOUS neighborhood for kids!! Loads of young families!