Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Gateway (Portland, Hillsboro: apartment, rentals, condos)

[xz2y]

Has anyone ever used the KP clinic at Gateway? I'm wondering about the safety of that area. The address for the clinic is 1700 NE 102nd Ave. Is that a high crime area?

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Been there.
Very safe area.
Don't worry.

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by pdxMIKEpdx

Been there.
Very safe area.
Don't worry.

Good to know! It's hard to tell from maps. The closest transit station is Overlook Park. I would be looking into joining the Kaiser Permanente Advantage Plan, since I'm retired, and hope to get rid of the car at some point. Looks like the KP campus is right next to the Overlook Park transit station. Would be moving to OR from MI, not CA.....LOL

[Nell Plotts]

I don't know that neighborhood so can't comment on transit options but I do know Kaiser's Interstate Clinic very well, across from Overlook Park. The MAX stops there and all of the specialists can be found there. The Overlook neighborhood has gentrified, no safety problems. You should be able to find newer condos with garages within a few blocks of that MAX line. Along that line is a New Seasons Market (a local smaller grocery the lines of Whole Foods), Fred Meyer.

If you are interested in renting/buying something at a higher price point look around the close-in SW and NW. Shoot me a note as I know the neighborhood well. Many find they can survive nicely without a car. Fred Meyer, Safeway, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, New Seasons and other grocers abound.

Only when you signup for Kaiser's Advantage Plan you can sign up for their dental program (adverse selection issue). I use their clinic on Grand Ave, love the care. That clinic is also well served by transit.

My only issue with Kaiser is that their two hospitals are located in the suburbs. The Hillsboro hospital is most convenient for me but they do specialty surgery (Orthopedic, for example) at Sunnyside - which might as well be in Egypt (as the kids would say) because it means crossing the metro area.

Providence also has a Medicare Advantage plan that is highly rated.

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

I don't know that neighborhood so can't comment on transit options but I do know Kaiser's Interstate Clinic very well, across from Overlook Park. The MAX stops there and all of the specialists can be found there. The Overlook neighborhood has gentrified, no safety problems. You should be able to find newer condos with garages within a few blocks of that MAX line. Along that line is a New Seasons Market (a local smaller grocery the lines of Whole Foods), Fred Meyer.

If you are interested in renting/buying something at a higher price point look around the close-in SW and NW. Shoot me a note as I know the neighborhood well. Many find they can survive nicely without a car. Fred Meyer, Safeway, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, New Seasons and other grocers abound.

Only when you signup for Kaiser's Advantage Plan you can sign up for their dental program (adverse selection issue). I use their clinic on Grand Ave, love the care. That clinic is also well served by transit.

My only issue with Kaiser is that their two hospitals are located in the suburbs. The Hillsboro hospital is most convenient for me but they do specialty surgery (Orthopedic, for example) at Sunnyside - which might as well be in Egypt (as the kids would say) because it means crossing the metro area.

Providence also has a Medicare Advantage plan that is highly rated.

Thank you for your great info! I appreciate it. I'm not interested in buying anything, I would rather rent, at least at first. I really appreciate all the neighborhood info.

Looking at a map, I can see the Overlook transit stop for KP's clinics. Any place I rent would need good access to transit, since I hope to ditch the car shortly after I get set up in an apartment.

I called KP's specialty clinics at the Interstate location to find out about scheduling Rheumatology appointments, for example. I'm in Michigan, and those appointments are scheduled 3 months out. The good news is that KP told me they schedule about a month out, which is much more reasonable.

I currently have Medicare with an expensive supplement medigap, and will need to keep that through the end of the year, but can sign up for KP during open enrollment in the fall, and start with them Jan 1. I like the comprehensive advantage plans and have downloaded their materials.

I have been looking at rentals in SW and NW, and would only need a small studio. I would also need to live in the "flatter" part of Portland, as an older person with some arthritis. Walking on steep hills would be a challenge! LOL I'm very active, but I wouldn't want to push the envelope living in a hilly area and trying to walk everywhere. Is there kind of a boundary for the flatter and hillier parts of the city?

I did see on a map that the hospitals are in the burbs, but good to know that the Sunnyside location does orthopedic surgery, which might be in my future at some point.....

Thanks again for your great post! Very helpful information!

[Nell Plotts]

Portland east of the Willamette is basically flat. There is a ridge that runs in a basically N-S direction just west of Portland's core area west of the Willamette. If you bring up a Portland map and look at the west side the area with grid pattern streets is basically flat although the area just west of Providence Park starts to get hilly. If the neighborhood name includes "Heights" it is on that ridge.

Oregon residents over the age of 65 may audit classes at Portland State University for free.

[xz2y]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Portland east of the Willamette is basically flat. There is a ridge that runs in a basically N-S direction just west of Portland's core area west of the Willamette. If you bring up a Portland map and look at the west side the area with grid pattern streets is basically flat although the area just west of Providence Park starts to get hilly. If the neighborhood name includes "Heights" it is on that ridge.

Oregon residents over the age of 65 may audit classes at Portland State University for free.

Good to know. I've been using Google Maps, but it doesn't show elevation. Part of the clue, of course, is the windy curvy streets, usually indicating hilly terrain. As you mention, grid layouts usually indicate relatively flat terrain. But your geography info is great!

I didn't know about the PSU audit option. That sounds like fun!