Are there any communities like this in Greater Portland? (Salem: how much, houses)

[saintdufus]

My girlfriend and I are thinking of moving to the greater Portland area (we live in CA now). She would like to live no farther than a short drive from Portland itself; I envision a green plot of land with plenty of nature, perhaps a farm or farm-like piece of land. The kind of place where you have neighbors, but they're not necessarily right next door to you.

Are there any communities within a short drive of Portland where one might perhaps get a little piece of land? A slightly less urban community where one might live peacefully, perhaps on a farm, while at the same time being located not too far from the city?

What towns might be the closest matches (if any) to this vision in the greater Portland area?

Thanks for your help!

[Squidlo]

Originally Posted by saintdufus

My girlfriend and I are thinking of moving to the greater Portland area (we live in CA now). She would like to live no farther than a short drive from Portland itself; I envision a green plot of land with plenty of nature, perhaps a farm or farm-like piece of land. The kind of place where you have neighbors, but they're not necessarily right next door to you.

Are there any communities within a short drive of Portland where one might perhaps get a little piece of land? A slightly less urban community where one might live peacefully, perhaps on a farm, while at the same time being located not too far from the city?

What towns might be the closest matches (if any) to this vision in the greater Portland area?

Thanks for your help!

Depending on what you call a short drive and what you have to spend. The answer is yes. Places that come to mind communities west and south of Portland. Dundee, North Plains, Cornelius, Newberg and Canby and others.

Myself I am fond of the Salem area as I have family there. It is an hour south of Portland.

[urbanlife78]

Canby, Newberg, McMinnville, Forest Grove, Scappoose, St Helens, or Lebanon might be what you are looking for. All are small towns surrounded by rural areas that are all within a short drive to Portland.

[gray horse]

Sherwood, Wilsonville also have small farms and are closer in to PDX. What is your budget? How much acreage? Will you need to commute in to PDX for work?

[patches403]

Originally Posted by gray horse

Sherwood, Wilsonville also have small farms and are closer in to PDX. What is your budget? How much acreage? Will you need to commute in to PDX for work?

This ^^^. Depends on your definition of short drive, your budget, and your work. If you're cashing out some big equity from CA you should do fine. The areas mentioned in several of the above posts for land with houses already built start around 400k - 500k for a few acres with a house (at this price point house will likely need major renovation or be a teardown). 5 acres with a nice house will start around $600k - $800k depending on how far from Portland you're willing to go. Also depends on if you are looking on the East or West side of the metro. East side will be significantly cheaper.

[christiner81]

use redfin or realtor.com (or even the RMLS) to show you what you can get, landwise, and how much it will cost you.

[saintdufus]

Thank you all very much for your prompt and helpful replies, that's just the information I needed.

Now I know which towns to focus on in the next phase of my research.

[gray horse]

Zillow is a great site to use, it maps well on properties in the neighborhood you are considering.

[saintdufus]

Originally Posted by gray horse

Zillow is a great site to use, it maps well on properties in the neighborhood you are considering.

I heard from a realtor friend that Zillow is horribly inaccurate though, especially when it comes to prices...just fyi....

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by saintdufus

I heard from a realtor friend that Zillow is horribly inaccurate though, especially when it comes to prices...just fyi....

Sites like Zillow are third hand sites, they don't get updated as fast as things change. It is a good site to give yourself a good idea of what you are looking for though.