Family (Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego: suburbs, theater, moving)

[wildwolf]

What would be the best place to raise a family in the portland area? Good schools, activities, safety, and other young families?
Thanks Chris

[PDXmom]

Wildwolf, sorry its taken so long for anyone to reply. So I'll give it a shot. Portland has alot of terrific neighborhoods to raise kids. The closer to downtown (but not in downtown/ Pearl, NW Portland) the better. Pearl & NW Portland are great ... just not family friendly.

I would recommend looking at Westmoreland/ Sellwood (my neighborhood)... tons of families... lots of young families, good schools, walking distance to parks, stores, shops, rests., library, movie theater that opened in 1920, bakeries, strong Community Center (Sellwood) etc. We are like a small town in the middle of an urban city. Oh, did I mention our awesome bike and hiking trails ... Oaks Bottom. Plus we are very close to downtown (5 mins), OMSI... kids science museum 5 mins, Children's Museum 15 mins.

Other areas that are family friendly but in my opinion don't offer as much as Westmoreland/ Sellwood are: Hawthorne (traffic is more dense in this area than Westmoreland/ Sellwood), Laurelhurst (not as much to walk to), Alameda (same as Laurelhurst), Irvington, Belmont, Eastmoreland (not as much to walk to), Woodstock (schools not as good).

Portland Public Schools has a very liberal transfer policy. You can apply to go to any school w/in the district. If there are slots open then all the applicants go in a lottery. So if you pick a neighborhood with weak schools you can transfer to another school. However, it's awesome living in a neighborhood where your kids go to school. We love walking to school and meeting so many neighborhood friends along the way. It's a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors. Plus, other parents in the hood will know your kids too. Always a good thing.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.
Good Luck!

[forestpixey]

Thank you, I am also in the process of looking for a place my family and I are planning on moving this spring.. I will be looking into the areas your recomending.. I'm so glad I found this site.. I have learned so much more info then just researching cities on line .. Everyone has been so helpful with information... Its been a great experience...

[Tobin]

Portland schools will always have problems due to a lack of funding. I would look to the South/SW suburbs like Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tualatin, and Beaverton. All good schools and safe. Except Beaverton's so big that you get a mixed bag there.