Questions before move to Portland area... (Beaverton, Hillsboro: relocation, income, work)

[romanceisdead]

My husbands family is from Portland area, and all live there except his mom and dad. I also have many friends in the area. He works for Intel in California, and we are thinking of transfering to Portland. Cost of living in California is impossible... We ask his family about things, but they want us to move, so I'm not sure they tell the whole truth. lol!

So, what is Hillsboro like? We can spend about 280 on a house. Can you get a nice family home around there for that? Are the schools good? Is there another town that is close enough to Intel there, that would be better?

Also, I have had some issues with depression, and my husband is affraid the weather would get me down. I admit, I do start to feel a little low energy in the middle of winter here... But I love the green of Portland. I grew up in far Northern California, and I miss the beauty. The spawling city/burbs here is so ugly! Beauty matters to me... So. What are the winters really like? How is the weather? Do you get used to it?

Any info would be sooo great.

[Leisesturm]

We can spend about 280 on a house. Can you get a nice family home around there for that? Yes.
Are the schools good? Yes (hearsay).
Is there another town that is close enough to Intel there, that would be better? No.

How is the weather? Do you get used to it? Yes (YMMV).

[Nell Plotts]

Were I you I would see someone about that depression and attempt to identify contributing factors before making the move. No need to add the stress of a move to other issues.

There is no doubt that housing around OR Intel is less expensive than Santa Clara County. Intel may adjust wages, in part, to account for that. Ask your husband to check with their HR.

Based on your comment I assume you are a renter now. Unless the rents are being jacked up where you are there is no reason housing-cost-wise to move as house selling prices are softening in the Portland metro area.

[PDXBADGER]

Having worked formerly at Intel (both OR, ME and CA), I strongly recommend moving to Oregon. I left Intel by my own accord as I decided not to take a permanent relocation to CA. Intel OR (whether its Aloha, JF, HF, RA) is far better than CA.

[scone]

So, what is Hillsboro like?
Small city, mixed income, strong Hispanic/Asian presence, bustling. Airport can be loud. Traffic can get slow crossing the city. Convenient shopping and services, good public transport, especially MAX.

We can spend about 280 on a house. Can you get a nice family home around there for that?

Check out the regional multiple listing service. "Nice" is subjective-- you need to look at pictures of homes to see for yourself.

Are the schools good?

Not too bad. The state of Oregon keeps score of schools, dropout rates, math scores, etc. -- google that for the stats.

Is there another town that is close enough to Intel there, that would be better?

"Better" is subjective. I like Forest Grove, its quaint and quiet. Beaverton has good schools and more shopping. Bethany and Cedar Mill are very middle class and suburban. Cornelius is cheaper.

What are the winters really like?

Overcast and rainy. Temps generally above freezing.


How is the weather?

See above. There's a joke to the effect that you could replace the weathermen with a screen that says "forecast partly cloudy, temps in the '50's, chance of rain" and be right about 80% of the time.

Do you get used to it?

No.

[Leisesturm]

If cost of living were the only issue I and my SO had with NYC I daresay we couldn't justify the incredible risk of a cross-country relocation nor a cross-state-border relocation for that matter. NYC cost of living is an order of magnitude worse than CA and millions of people live there on less than $30k. Not well, mind you, but you get the idea. You can live in CA despite what you think is an impossible COL so forget that as a valid reason for getting away. You will be miserable and when you start the "I want to go back home" your DH will become miserable (if he wasn't already). My earlier post is still true as far as it goes but only if your reasons for wanting to come to Oregon were based on Oregon's intrinsics.

H