Relocation help- Fairview, Gresham, Happy Valley (Portland, Lake Oswego: apartment, lease, home)

[Rman1428]

Recently landed the dream career in Portland. Will need to commute to training facility near PDX for about 10 months. Plan to rent an apartment and commute during training then search for a home to purchase. Raised in nice suburb of SF Bay Area and can't wait to begin the rest of my life in Portland. Have considered renting in the Pearl District but between the commute out of the city and the cost (I really want a fireplace and washer/dryer), leaning toward renting in Fairview, Gresham or Happy Valley.
Any insights and/or suggestions? Thanks!

[tiffela74]

pets/no pets? house/duplex/apartment? Just you or other family/friend? Yuppy-ish, Hippie-ish, outdoorsy-ish or eh?
thats very exciting that you've landed your dream career in Portland! Congrads!!!
More infor from you please and help will follow..... Most people on this board are great w/helping people find what they need!
Tiffany

[oldtintype]

Where exactly are you commuting to? Those areas are pretty far apart so it really depends on where you're trying to get to.

What SF suburb are you from? Are you looking for a similar area?

[Rman1428]

No Pets. Probably an apartment. Single male 25. College grad, love the outdoors (had targeted Denver and Portland as the places I want to settle- ski, fish, camp, hike, water ski.) Commuting to a facility near the Portland International Airport for about 10 months and eventually working somewhere in the City of Portland. Thanks for the interest!!!

[lance]

Indeed, VERY exciting! Personally, if you can find something, Happy Valley is a little more upscale with great access to the surrounding Portland area. We rented in Apartment at Altamount Summit (up a HUGE hill) and LOVED it!! You have one of the most AMAZING views in Portland and you are just a minute from the highway. The cost is very reasonable as well. The office staff were helpful and very polite. I recommend at least visiting their website. We lived there for a year (as a transition place) and would highly recommend it.

The Pearl District is INCREDIBLE as well and you certainly would love it. Very chic area but not too upscale.

Congratulations!!

[tiffela74]

what about like Raleigh Hills area? That might fit what youre looking for too.....

[Lee151]

Is your job in the industrial areas along Airport Way? Just east of the airport?
Fairview would be the shortest and easiest commute. Gresham not much farther and Happy Valley still not much farther though it is in a different direction.

The Pearl is younger and hipper, more shops, bars and restaurants. The other three are more family oriented burbs. The commute from The Pearl would not be bad at all. You would be going against traffic and I bet it would take half an hour unless there was a wreck on the freeway.

[Hoeman Lew]

Originally from SF (actually native San Franciscan and lived in the Richmond District), and recently moved to PDX since 5/06. Situation a bit different than yours. Married with 2 young children so school district, outdoor areas and suburban life was on my priority list. My office is in Downtown, and we originally leased for 1 yr up in Forest Heights, sight unseen (via Craigslist). That community was nice and the elementary school ranked exceptional (Researched Oregon Dept of Education rankings for past several years). Although pristine, Forest Heights was a bit snooty and elitist for our liking. We looked at Lake Oswego and West Linn, but similar demographic. We stumbled upon Happy Valley. Interestingly enough, highest per family median income in Oregon, excellent schools based on standardized test scores and high marriage rate and home ownership %....all important if you want to raise a family. For you, I would think the Pearl (yuppie, like SOMA or the Marina in SF), Multonomah Village (Irvington or Alameda..North Portland is becoming like the Castro, very desireable to the Gay Community). You'll love it here. Best decision we made, rent first then really do some due diligence before settlling down because there are really diverse communities here, with a common denominator of friendly people with a communal attitude. Sorta like SF back in the 60's and 70's. Welcome!

[seven of nine]

Originally Posted by Rman1428

Recently landed the dream career in Portland. Will need to commute to training facility near PDX for about 10 months. Plan to rent an apartment and commute during training then search for a home to purchase. Raised in nice suburb of SF Bay Area and can't wait to begin the rest of my life in Portland. Have considered renting in the Pearl District but between the commute out of the city and the cost (I really want a fireplace and washer/dryer), leaning toward renting in Fairview, Gresham or Happy Valley.
Any insights and/or suggestions? Thanks!

I did not notice anyone suggesting the Mt. Scott area, you would be right on 205 to PDX, I know there has been much building in the area, as a former pearl resident I would disagree with the commute time noted above. Good luck,

[Rman1428]

Thanks so much for all the help. I owe all an update. Thanks especially to Lance as I nearly took his advice regarding Altamount Summit. Due to availability etc I wound up out on 162nd in Happy Valley. So far I'm loving it although the commute in the afternoons getting from NE Sandy on to I 205 is a killer. THANKS!!!