Irvington vs. Laurelhurst vs. Thurman area (Portland: houses, neighborhoods, top school)

[newpdx]

We're a family with a young son who've just moved to Portland. We're looking for a safe, walkable neighborhood with good schools, and we've been shown some houses in these neighborhoods: Irvington around 22nd and Knott/24th and Fremont, Laurelhurst, and also Thurman street around Chapman and over the bridge toward Forest Park (Aspen street, etc).

Does anyone have opinions of these places, in terms of the kinds of people who live there, public elementary schools, and overall feel of the places? We know we're lucky enough to look at well-established areas, but we don't want to move somewhere really snooty, either and want to know our neighbors and live in a real community.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

[oldtintype]

24th and Fremont puts you in Alameda Elementary, which is a top school in PPS. The Thurman/Chapman area puts you in Chapman, also a great school, and in the Lincoln high school cluster (top high school). Both areas have great things about them, lots of kids, etc. Just depends what else you're looking for in a neighborhood.

[FoxyKnox]

I love Laurelhurst! LOVE IT! Especially the areas near Laurelhurst Park. I love walking to Rite-Aid or Belmont Library. The people are SO friendly and really not at all snooty. Some may be, but that's to be expected. In fact many neighbors are actually kind and neighborly: it's semi-surreal! :-)