Moving to Portland.... (Gresham, Tualatin, Troutdale: sales, real estate, renting)

[zotmeister]

Possible move to Portland area for a job. I have some questions regarding income taqx and real estate. I heard that Oregon is really high (top 4 in income tax), is that true.

Also, I am planning on getting a job in the Portland, OR 97224 area (by Durham region). Any idea where to live. Thinking of buying a 2-3 bdrm townhome for under $300K, is that possible? What about living in vancouver, wa. How would that commute be via the 5. Is Vancouver, WA a good place to live (i.e. safe and not too pricey??). How is the real estate in the Portland area now.

Any suggestions would help.

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by zotmeister

Possible move to Portland area for a job. I have some questions regarding income taqx and real estate. I heard that Oregon is really high (top 4 in income tax), is that true..

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. I see no reason, however, to doubt it. But so what, you have that job offer right? Wherever it is there are going to be taxes. It is the total tax package that you have to assess before deciding anything. Oregon has no sales tax. Your total tax package is ~10%. Washington has no income tax but they have a sales tax ~9%. If you don't buy anything, ever, live in Washington. But work in Washington as well. You cannot live in Washington, work in Oregon and expect not to have to pay income tax. Nor can you live in Oregon, work in Washington and not have income taxes. The Feds take income taxes and no one cares. When states do it people freak. I don't get it.

H

[looopson]

Awful commute from Vancouver to Durham. Durham is south of Portland, yes? Near Tualatin... that's a long one, buddy. Traffic on the I-5 north sector between downtown and the Interstate bridge into Washington state is always bottle necked. It's only a three lane interstate and is in dire need of work.

[sayulita]

Originally Posted by looopson

Awful commute from Vancouver to Durham. Durham is south of Portland, yes? Near Tualatin... that's a long one, buddy. Traffic on the I-5 north sector between downtown and the Interstate bridge into Washington state is always bottle necked. It's only a three lane interstate and is in dire need of work.

I agree. That's a killer commute. Why not live right in Durham (is there an actual Durham???) or Tualatin?
Rent for a while and see what you think of the area and how far you are willing to commute.
Check out real estate online to get an idea what $300k will buy.

[Nell Plotts]

You can see what your Oregon income taxes would run you by going to the Oregon State Dept. of Revenue and down loading last year's tax forms and instructions. No need to hyperventaliate, take a look.

I don't know where you live now but make a list of what you are paying your state today... don't forget personal property taxes (like car purchases, annual fees). Compare.

[DreamWeavin]

moving to Portland? Best just to do your homework via google. Or read through the various postings,find someone with a positive attitude and send them a private message.
If you peruse the forum a bit ,you will see that outsiders are not welcomed with open arms here.
best to sneak in in the middle of the night.
I jest......but seriously-I moved here without announcing it.
Once here, I on occasion have had questions about how to get here or there or where something is--there are some very nice members here willing to help a newcomer. While others--not so much.

Originally Posted by zotmeister

Possible move to Portland area for a job. I have some questions regarding income taqx and real estate. I heard that Oregon is really high (top 4 in income tax), is that true.

Also, I am planning on getting a job in the Portland, OR 97224 area (by Durham region). Any idea where to live. Thinking of buying a 2-3 bdrm townhome for under $300K, is that possible? What about living in vancouver, wa. How would that commute be via the 5. Is Vancouver, WA a good place to live (i.e. safe and not too pricey??). How is the real estate in the Portland area now.

Any suggestions would help.

[davefr]

Originally Posted by DreamWeavin

If you peruse the forum a bit ,you will see that outsiders are not welcomed with open arms here.

I take exception to that broad generalization

We have several types of what you call "outsiders" that seek advice on this forum.

One example is the OP that asked specifically about Vancouver to Durham considerations. The forum did a great job addressing his concerns like tax considerations and commuting.

We also have the "grass is always greener" group that thinks this area is utopia relative to their current location. When we "burst their bubble" and lay out other considerations that they need to be concerned about such as employment chances and cost of living that's being "realistic" vs. "unwelcoming". It would be "forum malpractice" to fail to tell it like it is.

[Nell Plotts]

There are always folks who feel threatened by new arrivals. A few years ago I moved from Portland (life long resident) to a community near Seattle. We was viewed as disruptive to a few in my new neighborhood. I had an open house, one came up to me and asked, "So, how long have you lived on ___?" I knew the woman to be a real PITA so I responded, "Only a year, but my family came over the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory. One member founded Shelton and was in the first Washington legislature. When did you arrive?" She was taken aback and gave me her year of arrival so I extended my hand and said, "Welcome!" She has rarely spoken to me since.

For those who don't know the history of the new arrival issue in the Wmt. Valley: there was a period after the influx of population to CA that Oregonians feared that they too would be inundated by population growth. We went through a period of assessing our land use laws and attempted to change them to preserve agricultural uses while focusing growth in towns and cities. Not everyone agreed with this land use planning. There was heated debate in the legislature. In the meantime the "please don't move here" attitude developed in come residents. Land use planning and urban growth boundries are still hot issues but, IMHO, that is what has kept our communities great places to live.

It is basic human attitude to resist change and resent those who may threaten the familiar. Oregonians rarely go there today.

[DreamWeavin]

LOL-Nell-toooo funny!! Great post and points made.

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

There are always folks who feel threatened by new arrivals. A few years ago I moved from Portland (life long resident) to a community near Seattle. We was viewed as disruptive to a few in my new neighborhood. I had an open house, one came up to me and asked, "So, how long have you lived on ___?" I knew the woman to be a real PITA so I responded, "Only a year, but my family came over the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Territory. One member founded Shelton and was in the first Washington legislature. When did you arrive?" She was taken aback and gave me her year of arrival so I extended my hand and said, "Welcome!" She has rarely spoken to me since.
For those who don't know the history of the new arrival issue in the Wmt. Valley: there was a period after the influx of population to CA that Oregonians feared that they too would be inundated by population growth. We went through a period of assessing our land use laws and attempted to change them to preserve agricultural uses while focusing growth in towns and cities. Not everyone agreed with this land use planning. There was heated debate in the legislature. In the meantime the "please don't move here" attitude developed in come residents. Land use planning and urban growth boundries are still hot issues but, IMHO, that is what has kept our communities great places to live.

It is basic human attitude to resist change and resent those who may threaten the familiar. Oregonians rarely go there today.

[mxpl]

I am a born Oregonian but have lived abroad for the last 30 years. I am considering buying a house in the Gresham/Troutdale area of Portland and renting it out for 5-10 years until I retire and relocate to Portland.
Comments on the NE area of Portland?