Best Town for us around Portland? (Hillsboro, Woodburn: houses, good schools, live in)

[CBaillo]

Just some info: We are coming from upstate/central NY. We are used to and love, wider spaces/lots, tons of greenery, changing leaves, good schools, affordable housing, lots of outdoor activities (i hunt and fish, and we like to camp, hike, and get lost in woods).

What areas around Portland (still within commutable distance) would fit us? We are in our late 20s/early 30s with two daughters...one 6, and one under a year. We are laid back and relaxed, and love the outdoors. Like I said we are used to bigger pieces of property at reasonable prices. I understand lots are a lot smaller in OR, but to give you an idea of what I'm talking about: We pay 950/mo for a large home on an acre...we got a great deal, but that's what we're used to.

We originally came from CA, and we hate the houses on top of one another, and would like to avoid it if we can.

Any towns like that within commutable distance from Portland?

Thanks guys for your future help.

[EnricoV]

Anywhere in far outskirts of town sounds like it would suit you just fine. Plenty of wide open spaces. I'd say the more affordable areas, though, would be Columbia County (St. Helens, Scappoose) or Clackamas County. Of course, somewhere in the foothills of either the Coast Range (Banks, Forest Grove) or the Cascades (Sandy, Estacada) would give you good access to the outdoor activities. But might not have the bargains.

[cdelena]

You can also consider areas north of the river in Washington... some nice properties in Clark county.

[EnricoV]

Agreed. It's a bit further, but I'm always amazed at the low prices in the Longview/Cowlitz County area.

[CBaillo]

thanks for the info guys, can i get specific town names so i can research them? again, thanks for the help.

[CBaillo]

is broadband internet (whether via cable or dsl, doesnt matter) pretty standard across the state, or are there still some areas, even near portland, that may not have it?

[davefr]

Originally Posted by CBaillo

is broadband internet (whether via cable or dsl, doesnt matter) pretty standard across the state, or are there still some areas, even near portland, that may not have it?

The rural areas tend to be dial up only. If you're lucky maybe there will be a regional WISP.

The phone and cable companies are tripping over themselves in large metro areas but ignore rural. I thought Wi-Max (ie CLEAR) was supposed to bring wireless broadband to more of the fringe areas but it's still a pipedream.

If you have a clear southern view you can get Hughes Net satellite but it's only marginally better then dialup.

[oregonn8v]

CBaillo:

One area that has not been mentioned is out I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge. Cities like Troutdale, Wood Village, and Fairview would be worth looking at.

You mentioned within commutable distance. This can be very subjective. To give you an idea, I live in Portland proper (actually very close to downtown) on the East side of the Willamette River. When I worked out in Clackamas I was commuting 15 miles each way and it would take me between 20 and 30 minutes and I hated it. I now work in downtown and commute around 4 miles each way and it takes less that 10 minutes in my car and only about 30 minutes when I bike. I LOVE IT!

What do you consider commutable distance? Any place that will have the potential for land is likely going to be 45 minutes to an hour outside downtown Portland. Here are the cities I would consider by direction.

West: Hillsboro, North Planes, Forest Grove, Banks
Northwest: Scappoose, St. Helens
East: Troutdale, Sandy, Estacada, Wood Village, Fairview
North: Orchards, Battleground, Ridgefield, Woodland (all in Washington State)
South: Hubbard, Woodburn, Gervais, Mt. Angel
Southwest: Newberg, Dundee

Hope this helps.

[CBaillo]

lets put it this way i grew up and lived in los angeles until 2 years ago, when we moved to new york state. often times in l.a. traffic it would take you an hour to go 10 miles. I LOATHED that. i dont really care the distance ..its traffic that kills me. now in upstate ny, it takes me 25 min to get to work, but thats wide open roads w/ no traffic whatsoever...its beautiful. we would actually stay here if we could but we're planning on moving to be closer to family (mom is battling breast cancer) without having to move back to southern CA. I would rather cut my own head off than move back to Southern Ca.

[oregonn8v]

The traffic will not be as bad as Southern California but you must still expect that there will be some traffic coming in from the 'burbs. On the freeways expect to travel around 35 - 40 MPH rather than then posted 55 - 60.

Thant may give you an idea that a typical 30 minute drive will run closer to an hour.