Portland getting close to a reality! (Gresham, Beaverton: 2015, rent, crime rate) - Oregon (OR) - City-Data Forum

stevepax · 02-18-2009, 09:28 PM

I interviewed on the phone with a Portland company a couple of weeks ago. Today, they called me and want me to come out next week for a face-to-face interview! After that comes the job offer. This is suddenly getting very real to me (and yes, it means if I come to Portland, I'll come with a job lined up already, for those of you who make that your first comment).

I have a family - wife and 3 kids ages 5 and under. I'd like to be able to commute by bus or train to work (right downtown). Areas I'm thinking to live: SE area, nearish to the river, like maybe Milwaukie. Or maybe somewhere along the blue line MAX train going out towards Gresham - I know I don't really want to be around I-205 along the blue line; how far east do I need to go to be pretty safe for my wife and kids out there? All the way to Gresham (which is doable, but would be a 1 hour commute by train). I guess Beaverton would be possible too, if I found a place right on the train line there, but it's not quite as walkable as I'd prefer.

Any other suggestions? I expect that my salary will be around $80K out there - do I have a chance on that? Where I live right now is pretty cheap, but I spend a lot on commuting in my car since I live far from the big city where I work, and getting rid of one car will definitely help in Portland on the cost! That's why I want to live within mass transit distance, preferably by train (though bus is fine in the close in areas, since I can find places with just one bus to get to work, with no transfers).

Thanks for all your friendly help!

karlsch · 02-18-2009, 10:10 PM

The median household income in Portland was about $47,000 in 2007, so $80,000 is much better than most: http://www.city-data.com/city/Portland-Oregon.html

EnricoV · 02-19-2009, 03:13 AM

My choice would be to go towards Milwaukie rather than towards Gresham. I think the commute is much shorter. Downside is, you've only got bus service in that direction for a few more years, though MAX is headed that way.

stevepax · 02-19-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnricoV

My choice would be to go towards Milwaukie rather than towards Gresham. I think the commute is much shorter. Downside is, you've only got bus service in that direction for a few more years, though MAX is headed that way.

The bus service out that way is ending or something? I know cities change bus routes constantly, but is there some big change coming up I don't know about?

subsound · 02-19-2009, 07:36 AM

Just that Trimet raised rates to take care of diesel prices, and now they are stuck with high diesel prices from futures contracts, low tax revenue from people losing jobs, and high fares so people are less able to afford to ride so much.

I would have to vote Milwaukie as well just from personal opinion, it has been more of a pleasant drive through I think then Greshem. However, take a good stare at each if you get the chance.

Be sure to start saving as much as humanly possible when you come, companies are starting to really cut close to the bone (mine is starting to lay off mission critical personnel)...and first in is first out. It may not happen to you, I am not sure on your situation but currently it might pay to be cautious.

alwayssmile · 02-19-2009, 05:10 PM

Milwaukie is a pretty nice area. We lived in the SE area for a number of years but as our son started getting older went to the Milwaukie area as the schools are much better. Later to realize that we liked the area much better as well.
Gresham's crime rate seems to be going higher by the minute. I would never live in that area; with or without children.
Oh, the bus commute from Milwaukie is not too bad, did it to downtown for a couple of years.

Wicked Felina · 02-19-2009, 09:51 PM

Tri-met is building a Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail, to run from PSU & the City Center to Milwaukie and Oak Grove. Up and running by 2015, so they say. Here's that link, from which you can also access bus schedules & routes.

Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project: Home.

I have to second (or third?) the choice of Milwaukie (or Oak Grove) over either Beaverton or Gresham. North Milwaukie is older (the part nearest Portland city limits), with economically mixed areas. There are distinct neighborhoods and it's very easy to access major roads.

EnricoV · 02-20-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevepax

The bus service out that way is ending or something? I know cities change bus routes constantly, but is there some big change coming up I don't know about?

No, no. Sorry if I made it sound that way. Bus should always be there. It's just that MAX won't for a few more years, so it bus is the only option for a few more years. (Though Tri-Met did recently announce that a few underused lines will go away. It's not supposed to cut off service to any areas, though.) After that, you'll have either to choose from.

mobilemindstationaryreality · 02-21-2009, 04:47 PM

Gresham has over 100,000 people and it covers a lot of land. So ignore people's posts about crime and take into consideration that the crime only covers certain small spots of the city. Most of the city is just pretty typical suburban/rural atmosphere.

Brandon26pdx · 02-23-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevepax

I interviewed on the phone with a Portland company a couple of weeks ago. Today, they called me and want me to come out next week for a face-to-face interview! After that comes the job offer. This is suddenly getting very real to me (and yes, it means if I come to Portland, I'll come with a job lined up already, for those of you who make that your first comment).

I have a family - wife and 3 kids ages 5 and under. I'd like to be able to commute by bus or train to work (right downtown). Areas I'm thinking to live: SE area, nearish to the river, like maybe Milwaukie. Or maybe somewhere along the blue line MAX train going out towards Gresham - I know I don't really want to be around I-205 along the blue line; how far east do I need to go to be pretty safe for my wife and kids out there? All the way to Gresham (which is doable, but would be a 1 hour commute by train). I guess Beaverton would be possible too, if I found a place right on the train line there, but it's not quite as walkable as I'd prefer.

Any other suggestions? I expect that my salary will be around $80K out there - do I have a chance on that? Where I live right now is pretty cheap, but I spend a lot on commuting in my car since I live far from the big city where I work, and getting rid of one car will definitely help in Portland on the cost! That's why I want to live within mass transit distance, preferably by train (though bus is fine in the close in areas, since I can find places with just one bus to get to work, with no transfers).

Thanks for all your friendly help!

I know *I* could live comfortably on $80k/yr around here, but I don't have a wife and 3 young children either.

I would just rent a house for the first year or two and you'll know where you want to go after that. If you can kill one of the cars that would definitely help, because you're going to be a little hard pressed to be able to afford enough house for that clan.