Anyone Relocate to Portland from Los Angeles or NYC? (sales, condos)

[JinLA]

When we were there over the weekend, we drove around Laurelhurst and found a few homes for sale ranging from $365K - 575K. The area reminded me of parts of Studio City, or Sherman Oaks here in the San Fernando Valley or like parts of Pasadena. They were all really nice looking -- great character and details. Those homes would fetch $800+++ in Studio City. I imagine Lake Oswego to be like a Woodland Hills/Calabasas type suburb here in LA... newer homes, less diversity, if that's what you mean by snobby?
Thanks, I'll look into Wilsonville. Did that mean we should, or shouldn't look at Forest Heights?

[jojo4]

Tigard and Beaverton are part of the west side suburb.
If you're near 217, it's pretty convenient to drive to shopping, downtown Portland. 217 has bad traffic jam during rush hour though.
school is ok, not great.
not really walkable, the typical burb. There is a large farmer market and a really nice library in central Beaverton. It is generally very safe and housing price is good.
There are many shopping area nearby, Washington Square, cedar Hill crossing, trader Joe, circuit city, best buy, etc...
Bonus - many good Korean and Japanese restaurants in Beaverton.

I would say this is similar to the Valley, but nicer.

[suncat]

Originally Posted by JinLA

Did that mean we should, or shouldn't look at Forest Heights?

Forest Heights seems to bring out strong opinions in people. They either love it or hate it. It's a new planned community in the hills, about 10 minutes west of downtown Portland. It's very manicured, lots of luxury SUVs and kids, and has huge homes on tiny lots. Very low crime.

[JinLA]

Originally Posted by suncat

Forest Heights seems to bring out strong opinions in people. They either love it or hate it. It's a new planned community in the hills, about 10 minutes west of downtown Portland. It's very manicured, lots of luxury SUVs and kids, and has huge homes on tiny lots. Very low crime.

Thanks... that sounds like Valencia here in So Cal... not my thing. But, I'm sure it's nice. We're waiting to hear back on the job... this is the worst part! Not knowing!!!

Fingers crossed...

[nentres]

I ran across this blog while searching Forest Heights info for my client. I recommend FH to anyone that can afford to live there. It's a wonderful oasis just minutes from downtown, great community, and great schools. If you enjoy running or biking you will especially love it. I'm a real estate agent and I've seen ALOT of Portland. This is my favorite area to tour. -Kristie McDonald

[plf1128]

Just keep in mind, that there is a city tax for any home in Multomah County. So if you are looking at Portland / suburbs, you will want to stay on the SE / SW side.

If Lake Oswego seems a little to fussy, try areas like the Sunset District of West Linn, and town of Willamette, just ask for the 10th Street Exit off I-205. Very nice neighborhoods, views of the river and Mt Hood.

You will want to stay in Washington County or Clackamas County.

You'll be very happy with the schools in these areas as well, if that is part of your considerations.

Good luck.

[scone]

This may be a bit out of your way, but one place that strongly reminds me of Cali is Yamhill County-- the wine country area. IMO it has a warmer and drier microclimate-- at least warm and dry enough for red grapes like pinot noir. The wine country continues up through Forest Grove, which is a really charming small college town. A bit like Sonoma County, I think. Either commute into Portland would be longer than living in the city, of course, but since you're an L.A. person, you may be used to that. At least go for a visit down there, lots of fun restaurants and tastings.

[PDXRon]

JinLA,
I have lived here 30 years and have seen many changes here in this area. I don't often admit it to anyone here but I too was a Cali transplant. I endured two crappy years of the Bay Area before I escaped and moved here. I quickly became a Cali "basher" once I saw what the Oregonians disliked about people moving here from California. Considering over 50% of Oregonians are from somewhere else, it makes for an interesting mix of expectations. My big objection to transplants is that they want to bring their lifestyle and expectations here and not just accept what is here. It seems that wherever they are from, it was better there and nopw they want that here too. Well, guess what? Over one third of the people moving here are from California. We now have all the California gangs represented, we have all the drug problems of California (I-5, NOT "the 5"), and yes, we have Californians moving here waving lots of equity money (for those luck enough to sell their home in a tight market there) around and pretending Portland is their new "oyster". The anti-Cali fellings are still here but most of us are too polite to express it. If you move here, please remember that this is not California...yet. Actually, there have been so many Californians move here that perhaps we should just include Oregon as part of Northern California. Be sure to check out Vancouver, Washington. It is very popular with Cali transplants seeking to take financial advantage of living in a state with no income tax and yet a short drive across the river to the land of no sales tax.

[Leisesturm]

Ouch, Jin, that last post was kind of harsh, but, IMO somewhat deserved, as it does appear from the general tone of your posts that you view Oregon in somewhat of a "what it should be" kind of tone. Admittedly you are not alone, so I am not singleing (sp) you out. Oregon's weather is what it is, it simply baffles me that so many go on and on about something that no one can change. I am your NYC respondent and will from this point simply answer your questions:

1. What are the biggest likes/dislikes? The generally positive vibe of the people. Very helpfull, welcoming, decent, other positive adjectives apply. The counter-culture, slacker kids concern and depress me. I am not used to seeing homeless and indigent people so young in age. That is the ONLY negative impression and it in no way makes me feel 'unsafe' only a bit helpless that I cannot do anything to help them.

2. How are you adjusting? Just fine, thank you. This move is the best thing we ever did. The cool, cloudy days are what they are, cool, cloudy days. Throw on a fleece and rain-shell and get out there.

3. On the whole, do you like it and are you happy to have moved? See #2 above.

4. Is it hard to make new friends? I do not imagine it will be. People are receptive and that is all you need isn't it? An opening.

5. What do you miss? There is vastly more I/we (just posed the question to my better half) that we DON'T miss. The close friends of a lifetime of living somewhere else can not be duplicated or replaced. On closer analysis, however, how often did you really actually get together for some 'face time'? More likely it was telephone and e-mails. Still works for keeping in touch.

6. Do you plan to stay? Absolutely!

YMMV

[GB1]

Originally Posted by PDXRon

JinLA,
I quickly became a Cali "basher" once I saw what the Oregonians disliked about people moving here from California. Considering over 50% of Oregonians are from somewhere else, it makes for an interesting mix of expectations. My big objection to transplants is that they want to bring their lifestyle and expectations here and not just accept what is here. It seems that wherever they are from, it was better there and nopw they want that here too. Well, guess what? Over one third of the people moving here are from California. We now have all the California gangs represented, we have all the drug problems of California (I-5, NOT "the 5"), and yes, we have Californians moving here waving lots of equity money (for those luck enough to sell their home in a tight market there) around and pretending Portland is their new "oyster". The anti-Cali fellings are still here but most of us are too polite to express it. If you move here, please remember that this is not California...yet. Actually, there have been so many Californians move here that perhaps we should just include Oregon as part of Northern California.

I'll give you credit for admitting it, Ron -- a lot of people will say that the anti-Californian sentiment is either overstated or firmly in the past. But this is a pretty straightforward look at the Ausländer raus! xenophobia among some in the Northwest. (As in your case, it's often articulated by ex-Californians themselves.)

Needless to say, I don't agree, and I think it's funny that a town that trumpets its open-mindedness and diversity can look at a state that's far more huge and diverse and only see gang members, Paris Hilton types, SUV drivers, or whatever the stereotypes du jour might be.

Places like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, etc. have been in existence longer and have had more immigrants, yet their core identities haven't been changed; New York has had more than 100 years of new arrivals, many of whom were very different than the people who were already there, yet it remained, and remains, quintessentially New York.

The one question I wish someone would answer is: What is it about the character of Portland, or Oregon, or the Northwest, that is so fragile it can be irrevocably changed by "Californians"...or whatever boogeyman is imagined to lurk beyond its borders?