Work at Nike? (Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro: real estate, houses, neighborhoods)

[Jiggs72]

I have a job offer from Nike and am considering moving up from the Bay Area. I'm curious as to their reputation as an employer in the Portland area. Also, trying to figure out where to live. Does anyone commute to Beaverton from the East side?

[skiffrace]

Is it a programming job?

[SETabor]

If you choose to live on the east side, make sure you have easy access to the light rail so you can use it for the commute. I live in SE and work in Beaverton but the job location is east of 217 which makes the commute bearable (and a commute from Hillsboro pretty much the same). A lot of the traffic in Beaverton is around 217 and Nike and other large employers.

I have a few friends who work there. One's been there for years and was involved with the integration of Nike-Umbro and the the disintegration of Nike-Umbro which involved being in England for a time and a lot of flying back and forth. He's been flying to China a lot too and is tired of the traveling and so is thinking of quitting. For another, Nike travel involved going to the London Olympics and she still enjoys it. It really depends on what you'll be doing - its a big company with a lot of different moving parts.

[Nell Plotts]

I worked there for several years, left only because my parents needed my help.

As an employer they are wonderful but keep in mind that the workplace culture is obsessive. I understand that it isn't as extreme now as in my day (some 20 years ago) but it is still results oriented.

Unlike many other employers I have known NIKE is very ethical. If Phil discovers an executive is in any way slimy they are gone, overnight. I have seen it happen.

My concern about living east of the Willamette is that you are exposed to two pinch points: tunnel and a bridge. Yes, there are alternate routes over the hill but they too are becoming loved too much.

Should you accept their offer? A lot depends on your career goals and lifestyle. Many would kill for the opportunity you have.

I agree that for some travel assignments are warring. This should be discussed with the manager to explore other options. Most managers are sensitive to employee quality of life and if the job is key will work with the employee rather than face a difficult to fill vacancy. I recall an employee who had worked hard and long on a project to the determent of family life. HR and his manager put their heads together, looked at 'comps' available, and consulted with his wife. They arranged for a surprise vacation for the couple and childcare while they were away.

[Priscilla Martin]

I have two relatives who work at Nike, both about to retire. Both say, "It ain't what it used to be." But, I think most people think that as they look back on thirty years. Personally, I would not want to live on the east side and commute to Beaverton no matter what the mode of transportation. I simply value my personal time too much to spend that much time getting to and from work. Driving is a nightmare. The bus takes forever. Light rail is great if you are in the right area. If it were me I'd live on the west side anyway. And I live in the Alameda neighborhood on the east side. When you say "east side" that is a lot of real estate, some good, some great and some really, really bad. Are you thinking southeast, northeast, or east county? Good luck in your endeavors.

[Nell Plotts]

Odds are when your relatives were hired the workforce was maybe 2,000 and their office was in NW Portland, it was 5,000 when I started, 20,000 when I left. Now they have 44,000.

It can't be the same.

[christiner81]

My H works there. The work-life balance quality varies depending on the team/manager. Overall they have a good reputation as an employer. I agree with Nell about the culture and how many would like to work there. My husband does travel some, but it's nothing horrible.

Traffic near Nike is a real pain, though if you are coming from the Bay Area your threshold for dealing with that might be different than ours I would not live on the east side and commute to Nike. What kind of neighborhood do you like, what's your housing need (bedrooms?) and budget?

[Jiggs72]

Thanks all, some good advice there. I think ideally we want a neighborhood with some character that is still a good place for a family. We currently live in San Jose which is just to suburban for us. We LOVE downtown Portland but I'd doesn't seem like a place for a couple in their late 30s and their two year old. I like the houses in Laurelhurst and Alameda and we like that the schools are good but it just seems too far. Living in Beaverton would be too suburban like what we already have here(though half the cost). Any areas on the west side with character AND good schools?

[oldtintype]

NW Portland! The area around Chapman Elementary is great--lots of kids too.

[Nell Plotts]

And Friendly House! http://www.friendlyhouseinc.org/programs/children/

He could also look at Arlington Heights (Ainsworth), Hillside (Chapman) neighborhoods.