From Phoenix to Portland (Hillsboro, Bend: house, job transfer, neighborhoods)

[Phoenician55]

I am trying, desperately trying to move out of Phoenix and to Portland. My boyfriend and I need to buy a home that is in a nice area and close to downtown. (I don't want to drive TOO far to get to work). I read from previous posts that Multnomah Villiage is nice, but I want to make sure that it is still fun and an area that people 22-35 recommend. Don't want a retirement community. Any help would be great!

Thanks!

-Tired Phoenician

[Venusian_Artist]

Why? No offense, but you will definitely miss the sun of Arizona.

Multnomah Village is nice. But then again, most of SW Portland is. Outside of the city proper, however, Multnomah Village is about the only place I can think of off-hand in SW Portland that would be appealing to the non-family/no kids set.

There is a little bit of nightlife in Raleigh Hills, and it is cheaper to live there. But MV is a pretty good choice with great access to the freeway for commuting.

[Phoenician55]

Well, to be honest I grew up here and I am sick of the sun. I love being outside and out here it is way too hot for a good portion of the year to be out. I am sure I will miss some things about Phoenix though.

Thanks for the advice! I have been to Portland quite a few times to visit friends, but have never looked for housing. I love the NW district, but I am SURE that is very expensive. I just want an overall clean upbeat area that is close to the city.

[Venusian_Artist]

I can see that. Portland summers are incredible; besting even Hawaii, in my opinion. The rest of the year, not so much.

[hymalaia]

I moved here in October and lately the weather has been so mild and nice I've been thinking to myself "that's it?!?!" in regards to winter. I keep waiting for a massive block of rain to come through but instead all I see are flowers starting to bloom. To be perfectly honest, I'm missing the gloom. I was prepared for December and January weather to go longer. Some will say that Portland is nine months of gloom followed by three months of beautiful weather, but I'm feeling more like it's the other way around. Unless this is some kind of freakishly dry winter.

[Venusian_Artist]

Originally Posted by hymalaia

I moved here in October and lately the weather has been so mild and nice I've been thinking to myself "that's it?!?!"...Some will say that Portland is nine months of gloom followed by three months of beautiful weather, but I'm feeling more like it's the other way around. Unless this is some kind of freakishly dry winter.

Sadly, it's actually that second thing. Ask anyone who works in the utility industry: hydroelectric generation is WAYYY down this year for the entire state, with losses in the millions in revenue. And due to La Niña, we should be getting more rain, not less.

Looks like the rest of the country is having some drought problems too. I've been enjoying this winter myself, for what it's worth.

[Phoenician55]

See, I knew some people that live out there enjoyed it! I am way too excited to get up there! I am sure the rain will start to bother me, but I have a feeling the goods out weigh the bad. I just hope the job transfer works accordingly. So back to my original question about areas. I have read up more and a lot of good reviews go towards the Hillsborough area. Is that better than Multnomah V?

[tiffela74]

lol, I grew up in Aloha (bedroom of Hillsboro) and my dad lives in Forest Grove, right by Hillsboro....my mom has lived the last 15yrs in Multnomah Village....I prefer MV to Hillsboro....My moms house backs right to a local park that 99% of the time has families playing there. They do Easter Egg hunts there and neighborhood softball games. Very well kept and my kids adore it! Anyone we've ever met there has been quite friendly. Theres a lot of people who go out walking (lots of dogs too!) and most of them smile, wave, and stop for a chat (unless they're the speed walkers, then they just wave, grin, and puff lol) I know she and her neighbors look out for one another, its been a great place for them to live. They just realized a lifelong dream of moving to Bend, and it still took them a couple of years before they were ready to say goodbye to their MV home and neighbors....lemme know if youre househunting, they have theirs up on the market now, much to my kids dismay!
Anyhow, Hillsboro has a lot to offer too, and has some lovely families....I like the outskirts better than in town, but thats just me. I have a dear friend who lives in one of those "planned communities" type neighborhoods, they chose it because they wanted a safe place w/great neighbors to raise their kids...well, teh first year or so they liked it, but she said they are trying desperatly to get out because of the crime. Nothing huge, but their car has been broken into a couple times, their garage once, and theyve had neighborhood wide vandalism...sad to say, this is even with an officer as a neighbor. (or maybe thats WHY...hummmm...) anyhow, thats just her experience, im sure theres plenty of folks in Hillsboro that havent had problems and love it there. Its just MY opinion that out of the two, Id prefer MV.......
best of luck!!
Tiffany

[Phoenician55]

Tiffela74, thanks for all the great information and advice. MV sounds wonderful, however; it might be a little too much on the family side. I am still in my early 20's without kids. Terrible how your friend was robbed in Hillsboro! Nothing makes you feel more uncomfortable. We just had stuff stolen from our garage out here in AZ. Either way, they both sound nice, so I really appreciate the advice. I really just want a nice clean area that allows me to enjoy Portland.

[under_toad]

I just moved to Portland after two years in Phoenix. If you are sick of being roasted to death in the summer and find the idea of a "warm winter" disturbing, you are making the right decision.

Additionally, in Portland you can actually get something to eat without having to drive 20 minutes! What a concept!