Portland area and suburbs (Hood River: sales, rent, condos)

[happyhiker]

I am hoping someone can give me some info on the Portland area.One reason we are considering the move there is my mom has (a somewhat rare) cancer and OHSU hopital has specialists for that type of cancer.Other considerations are that my little boy is multiracial and I'm worried because of the lack of diversity.Does anyone find that there is much racial prejudice there?My daughter is a college student and would be looking for a (nursing) university,but it looks like she won't have a problem finding a good one.We are in So Cal(San Diego) now,so we feel just about anywhere has lower rent than here.But that is definitely a consideration as well.I am concerned about air quality and other types of pollution.So far I'm a little confused as my research on that subject seems to be getting conflicting reports.We would not want to live in a big city,but close enough to get to mom's appts/treatments,etc.Any info would be appreciated.

[Ryan]

Definitely look into Vancouver, WA.

Vancouver is great; a very well balanced city. Very suburban, close to Portland (right across the river), and very low crime, unlike Portland. Properties prices have been climbing high as of late, but they're still a great deal. Most people prefer living in Camas Washougal and Battle Creek, all towns surrounding Vancouver all better for families. The expensive properties are all along the Columbia River and the less expensive places are along I-5. The schools in the area are great to excellent. Lots of businesses, both large and small. Vancouver's also got some of the best deals on NICE condos anywhere in WA. Also, there's no income tax in WA, and no sales tax in OR; you get the best of both worlds. BTW, the folks in western WA and OR are exceptionally racially/sexually/all-around tolerant. Good luck.

[scoobs]

What about the west side on the way to Mt Hood?

[Ryan]

Mt. Hood is on the east side of Vancouver. As I mentioned before, that's the place to be (Camas, Washougal etc.) If you mean west side Vancouver, Felida and V. Junction are the nicer parts there. On the Oregon side, I myself would live in Hood River. It's the most outdoor sports orientated city in Oregon and has a lot of Gen. X and Y 'ers living there. Very cool city with lots to do. Just across the bridge from Hood River on the WA side (and 1/2 hr. down 14 from Vanc.) is White Salmon and Bingen; cool little towns as well. BTW, Amtrak runs from Bingen to Vancouver/Portland daily.

[scoobs]

It seems that living in WA would be better just by the fact that you will save lots of money on taxes. Even though they probably make that up on something else. And it says an hour from Vancouver to Hood River,is that wrong?

[Ryan]

To get to inner V. it's about an hour drive from Hood Rvr. (and there's never traffic on 14; the city streets are what slow you down); same with Portland. From Bingen/White Salmon the the Vancouver area (Camas etc.) it's about a 30-45 min. drive.

[PDXmom]

Vancouver has less diversity than Portland. You'll find the most diversity in N. Portland and Close in Eastside (both NE and SE). N. Portland schools are not good. The Hawthorne area is very relaxed and socially accepting. Selwood / Moreland is just across the bridge to downtown. VERY convienent to OHSU. OHSU has an excellent nursing program as does Linfield College in NW Portland and U of Portland in North Portland.

People in the suburbs knock the PPS schools. But if you compare socially and economically similar schools between PPS and Vancouver, PPS is the same or better. And you will definately find more diversity in the city than the burbs.