Tualatin? Sherwood? (Portland, Hillsboro, McMinnville: sales, construction, schools)

[Sac_Sol]

My family is looking for a place to live if I take a job in McMinnville. We're looking at Sherwood or Tualatin (McMinnville is too far from Portland). Any thoughts on these communities? Any areas to avoid, or potential problems that a non-local wouldn't know about? Thanks!

[luv the outdoors]

I was just there in August. My cousin lives in Newberg. The only problem I'm aware of is the traffic on 99, it is really heavy. The locals know of ways around using 99. I found both cities to be very nice. Maybe a local can be of more help on other issues.

[lifes2short]

I live in Sherwood, and drive down to Mac several times a week. The traffic can be nasty. I personally would not live in Tualatin for a job in Mac. Tualatin is very nice, but the commute would not be good.

You say that living in Mac is too far from Portland. Are you thinking it is too far to go into Portland on a weekend night, for instance? If that is the case, then no, Mac is not too far. A good friend of ours lived in Mac and works in north Portland. They finally moved to Sherwood because they didn't like the daily commute. They did not mind it for the occassional trip in though.

Now as far as hwy99w from Sherwood to Mac...like I said before, it can be pretty nasty. A lot of people live in Mac and commute, so the drive is worse at those hours. I usually make me trips at off hours, but still it gets pretty packed. The area from south Newberg through Dundee, and again through Lafayette is just one lane each direction. And the towns have speed limits of 25. So you get the picture, lol!

If this were me, I would look first to Mac, and then to Sherwood. I am not a fan of Newberg schools, so that is why I omitted that.

[Sac_Sol]

Thanks for the replies. I think we will probably look at Sherwood.

[Sac_Sol]

Another thought: what would the commute be like from Hillsboro to McMinnville?

[lifes2short]

Hillsboro to Mac...not a commute I would do. Depending on where in Hillsboro (it is pretty spread out) it would take around a good hour at least, and this is on 2 lane roads. The roads from Hillsboro to Sherwood (which is sort of half way) are curvy, so fairly slow going. Then down 99 it is a straight shot, but is another half hour.

[Lee151]

The commute from Sherwood to McMinnville is going to suck. The traffic is really bad, especially through Dundee. Tualatin Sherwood Rd is awful. Almost all the time, not just during commuting hours. They are talking about a bypass but it isn't finalized and then there will be construction.

I am a sales rep and I travel off hours and still always dread it.

I would never consider living in Sherwood and working in McMinnville. That commute is one of the worst I can think of.

[Lee151]

Hillsboro to McMinnville, not a daily commute I'd consider either. Just took that road the other day. It was an hour and then to the outskirts of Hillsboro. Then another hour to Portland.

Not sure why you say McMinnville is too far from Portland? What in Portland? Where in Portland?

[jjpop]

Originally Posted by Lee151

The commute from Sherwood to McMinnville is going to suck. The traffic is really bad, especially through Dundee.

The traffic in Dundee is HORRIBLE, particularly in the summer when the tourists (and locals ) are visiting the wine tasting rooms. God forbid you want to pull onto 99W from a side street--it's nearly impossible. It can easily take 15 minutes to go 2 miles when the traffic is bad.

I thought there was talk about a bypass, but the local businesses fought it... Does anybody know?

[lifes2short]

Lee--You mention T-S Road. We avoid it most of the time as well. There are some great alternatives thankfully!