Thinking of Portland (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego: best city, crime rates, tenant)

[tiffela74]

I gotta say, ive never lived in Phoenix, but I have visited, and boyoboy but I sure liked it!! I loved the vibe and the weather and the people i met were all quite friendly! Im itching to go back again and visit! But i could not live there....little bit too much sun for me...But again, its a great place! I loved the history and open feeling.....the buildings and the plants...dang man, almost sounds like I want to move there! lol but again, i dont think id want that much warm....
anyhow, i wanted to say too, my husband made a major job change about a year ago, and he is 38yrs old....it was a totally different field than he was in before, and he had no experience in this.....some schooling years ago, and a few other qualifications, and he got the job. And no, he wasnt the only applicant. lol He went through 3interview levels and it was a couple weeks before he got it...but i wanted to share so everyone doesnt think you dont stand a chance if youre out of your teens. lol
tiffany

[fam421]

Originally Posted by PSP2PDX

I don't know if I would consider Phoenix one of the worst places to live in the US. (Some other cities definitely come to mind!) Although I have never lived there, I have visited there many times before. It does have it's good areas as well as a warm desert climate. The biggest issue in my opinion regarding Phoenix is that they did not learn the lessons that L.A. went through with un-restrained growth. It is like a small L.A. area with horrible traffic, smog and sprawl that goes on and on miles from the City Center.

Portland or Phoenix? Portland, hands down.........

Yeah, Balco9 sounds a little bitter about something. Different people like different things about each city and sometime it's just circumstances that hold a person back. It may have nothing at all to with the city or the schools in the area.

[Balco9]

Not bitter at all. Just think people should visit a town before making decision's from this message board. Lookingtorelocate, stated she always wanted to live in Portland and never really liked Phoenix. But i know it's very hard to move a family from a long distance and never know if it would workout anyways.

[romeisburning]

lookingtorelocate,
Look into the Tri-Cites, WA area like Richland and Kennewick.
It's the fastest growing area in Washington with year around
good weather. You don't get the all the grey gloomy days
you do in Portland. Homes prices are very reasonable and
the traffic`what traffic!!!
Over 100 wineries, some top in nation. Just my two cent.
Good luck in your search. Peace.

[Wish26]

I think your job prospects depend on what you do more than geographic location in many cases. As a lawyer, I've known lawyers in most major U.S. cities that have had one hell of a time finding any work out of law school. It's just a fact that there are are far too few jobs for lawyers in the U.S. On the other hand, if you're a nurse who is willing to work in a hospital setting, you probably will not have a problem finding a job in most major cities. So I think it comes down to the question of whether of how many other people out there can do the same job as you.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by lookingtorelocate

If we decide to move to Portland we will be sending our children to Catholic Schools. I'm sure the public schools are great, but my husband went to Catholic school and he is a firm believer in the schools mostly because of the sense of community. So anyone out there with some good information on the Catholic schools in Portland I would appreciate your input. Especially if you know any with the Blue Ribbon standards.
Thanks

My husband's brother's children go to St. Cecilia Catholic school in Beaverton and are very happy there!! There are some great family neighborhoods nearby as well. I hope that helps? Good luck.

[ncgalnow]

Originally Posted by lookingtorelocate

Hi all,

Originally from the S.F. Bay Area, moved to Flagstaff, AZ to attend college and said I would never live in Phoenix, Az. Here I am 11 years later and living in Phoenix, Az. My husband and I both from originally from S.F. have never really loved Phoenix and this passed summer about did it for us. The heat was unbearable. We decided then that we needed to get out.

We have been looking into the Portland area. We have 2 children ages 4 and 7. We are looking for a family neighborhood. Where there are lots of kids playing outside, block parties and lots of kid friendly activities. Both of my children are active in sports soccer, basketball, baseball, dance, gymnastics and swimming. Schools are important also. Mostly the Catholic school system.

I need your help with the best areas and neighborhoods for us to live. Please be very candid about the Portland area and your thoughts on were we might fit in best.

Thanks

Portland used to be, but is no longer a family-friendly place. Families with children are in the minority there, as is religious affiliation. (Portlanders actually denigrade the belief in Christianity and traditional values in general) Portland is a place for single, hipsters in their 20's and 30's - not families. I just moved from there with my family for these very reasons. Try to search out other places. I know it's hard. As a former San Francisco, I'm probably a lot like you. I'm always looking for a place that is somewhat left-leaning and liberal, but also is a good place to connect with other families and not feel like I'm in the minority around single twenty-somethings. Right now, I'm living in the 'burbs and am none too happy with the choices out there for left-leaning folks that are also looking for community.

Good Luck!

[oldtintype]

? That's certainly a blanket statement and far from the truth. There are NEIGHBORHOODS that are more full of younger people but there are neighborhood filled to the BRIM with families with young children in Portland. I have no idea where you lived but...perhaps just the wrong neighborhood?

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by ncgalnow

Portland is a place for single, hipsters in their 20's and 30's - not families. I just moved from there with my family for these very reasons.

Yeah, Portland is too full of trendy types who I can't stand. For them, it is definitely NOT cool to be religious...instead, they are "spiritual." Ooooh. The whole I-5 corridor between Eugene OR and Bellingham WA has this vibe. Too many college towns, in my estimation.

The reality is that most of these people have a lot to be thankful for and should be thanking God...instead they hug a fir or a hemlock. Just kidding. God, I can't stand spiritual granolas in a Subaru full of bumper stickers.

Take heart, though, the suburbs such as Beaverton (west) or Clackamas (east) have some unpretentious families sending their kids to Catholic schools. Once in that "system," I see parents befriending the kids of other parents.

Also, job prospects depend on what you do. I think Portland is a tough town in which to land the job you like (it's not ATL or Sacramento, that's for sure). Many people in the professions are under-employed, leading me to ask just how is it that certain doctors or lawyers or architects got into the plum firms and are now such smug Portland mod cut

[fam421]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

? That's certainly a blanket statement and far from the truth. There are NEIGHBORHOODS that are more full of younger people but there are neighborhood filled to the BRIM with families with young children in Portland. I have no idea where you lived but...perhaps just the wrong neighborhood?

I love old in type. Always puts a positive swing on the negative comments.

I have a question. Tell me where are the most conservative neighborhoods in the Portland area. I wouldn't say I'm totally conservative, but not totally left either. Also not a Clinton fan.

My husand and I are thinking about Portland. We have three children and they go to Catholic School. We have lived mostly in the Western States: Nevada, California, and Arizona.

Love the out doors, love the city life especially the culture.

Looking forward to hearing comments.

Thanks