Commute from Lake Oswego to Hillsboro - how is it? (Portland: how much, homes)

[wannabe1]

Hi all,

Considering a move to Portland. Would be working in Hillsboro. Not a fan of tract homes or newer neighborhoods, and of course like so many other people, love Lake Oswego. Do many people do this commute? Mapquest says 20 miles, or 35 minutes. Hubby says no way does he want to commute 30-40 minutes. I'm used to commuting, so I would gladly trade living in such a desirable area for a little bit of car time.

Anyone?

[Rob Allen]

You'd be in the middle of the traffic on Rt. 217 and then US 26 (Sunset Highway). Not at all fun during rush hour.

My suggestion for older, non-tract-home living would be a little to the west of Hillsboro, in Forest Grove. It's a nice little old college town (Pacific University) in the middle of an agricultural area. A much shorter and nicer commute to Hillsboro.

[juliempdx]

Not sure what kind of traffic your used to but Hwy 217 and Hwy 26 are the worst for commuting, unless you drove to the sunset transit center in Beaverton and then rode the max to Hillsboro. All depends how much you love sitting in your car.

[PeacePlease]

I agree with Rob that closer to Hillsboro makes sense. Why commute if you don't have to. This fall a new commuter train is about to start service called WES:

TriMet: WES Commuter Rail (Washington County, Wilsonville to Beaverton)

from the west part of LO, the station in Tigard is about 3-4 miles. So if you can take WES up to Beaverton and then get on the MAX's blue line to Hillsboro it may make it easier. Still the total travel time will be about 40 minutes or so, but at least you won't be stuck on the road. Just a thought.

[juliempdx]

Originally Posted by PeacePlease

I agree with Rob that closer to Hillsboro makes sense. Why commute if you don't have to. This fall a new commuter train is about to start service called WES:

TriMet: WES Commuter Rail (Washington County, Wilsonville to Beaverton)

from the west part of LO, the station in Tigard is about 3-4 miles. So if you can take WES up to Beaverton and then get on the MAX's blue line to Hillsboro it may make it easier. Still the total travel time will be about 40 minutes or so, but at least you won't be stuck on the road. Just a thought.

Peace Please, Is it like a max train? We just moved away in August. Miss it lots but hope to be back in two years.

[wannabe1]

How long a commute are we talking here?

[juliempdx]

I'm going to say during peak traffic 4:00pm-6:30ish at least an hour considering there is no wrecks. Someone else might disagree but I used to commute on 26 just into downtown portland from beaverton and it would take be 45 mins to get home leaving work at 5pm

[PeacePlease]

Originally Posted by juliempdx

Peace Please, Is it like a max train? We just moved away in August. Miss it lots but hope to be back in two years.

The commuter train is not like the MAX. These are commuter trains:

TriMet: The First WES Rail Cars are Here!

Good news is that you can transfer to the MAX at the Beaverton TC.

Also I heard that they are expanding 217:

Highway 217 project will break new contracting ground

either way, I wouldn't commute via 217 or 26 or even I-5. Traffic is a little too crazy. So if I were you I would live close to work. Less time spent on the road. Less gas. Less headache.

[jojo4]

I commute from downtown to Hillsboro and it takes 30 minutes in a car, 1 hour on the MAX. I take the MAX 90% of the time. Traffic is much worse in the opposite direction.
Take a look at homes in the West Hills. I think most of those are established neighborhoods.

[wannabe1]

Thanks for your opinions. I appreciate them all.

I think what most concerns me is LIVING so far away from the city and all that it entails. I like being in close to proximity to amazing restaurants and shopping - too far out in the country and I start to feel cranky and isolated. I do hear that Hillsboro is building up and is a great place to live; I just don't know if I want to permanently settle there so far from the city.