Mixed Race Family in the Portland Burbs? (Beaverton, Bend: transplants, low crime)

[DSLJohn]

We're from the SF Bay area, and are looking into relocating to a suburb of the Portland area. Both of us are self-employed and can work out of our home, so commute is not a factor. We both really like Portland, but with two small kids we feel that living in an area with good schools and low crime is more important than the energy and lifestyle of urban living.

It would be nice to be close to downtown Portland, but from what I've been able to dig up areas like West Linn and Lake Oswego seem to be a better fit for young families?

My wife is an American born Asian (her great-grandfather was actually from Bend OR, he was a cook for some loggers. ), I'm Caucasian, and we have two young daughters. So, my question to you, is having a mixed race family going to cause much of a stir in the areas I've mentioned?

(Side note, I've been reading a lot of threads about tensions between "natives" and transplants in the Portland area. I completely understand how the natives feel. One thing to keep in mind is that many people from Cal. are leaving the state because we have been overrun by our own transplants. In the SF bay area *everyone* is from somewhere else, all my friends left the region. We can stick it out where we live, but the quality of life for what it costs is hardly worth it. For the price of our very small shoebox we could afford what would be a $1.5 million locally in the Portland area. I just wanted to share with you the flip side of the migration, we are more like refugees than invaders :-). )

[Leisesturm]

I will ask you the same question I just asked the poster considering Scio. "What does your gut instinct tell you will be the result of coming to PDX Metro with your Asian sweetie and your mixed race children? ...(hint: your situation is hardly the same as theirs) ... I thought so. Good luck, and if you do come up, I'm sure you'll love it.

H (side note) your last paragraph is exactly what "natives" already think you think. In other words, you won't make the situation better by trying to explain yourself. My advice, don't let them slow your roll, or you're done.

[DSLJohn]

Thanks for the replay. Any other comments?

[Hans64]

I would look at the far west/southwest side of Portland rather than West Linn, etc. There is a section of unincorporated Washington County around Raleigh Hills, West Slope, Garden Home that has a Portland address (most of Portland is in Multnomah County). The drive to downtown Portland is about 10-15 minutes, the school district is Beaverton which is well regarded, the parks and rec district is excellent with many programs, and the taxes are lower due to the Washington County status. I live in this area and it is quite diverse and progressive--I moved in with my partner (also male) and no one batted an eye. There are many young families moving in as the original residents retire. Housing stock is generally good quality with a lof of solid 50s and 60s ranches (some of them very large and spectacular mid century modern homes) with newer housing filling in. Your kids will find plenty of diversity in Beaverton schools--Nike and the tech businesses in Washington County draw adults from India, Europe, etc. Lake Oswego is more solidly white and has a perhaps undeserved reputation for being very status conscious and insular. West Linn is similar and even more isolated. Neither of these communites are known for having much connection to Portland proper--the residents stay put in the LO/WL area for the most part.

[PeacePlease]

I live in LO and we are friends with a family that is also Caucasian/Asian mixed. They seem to do just fine. Their kids go to the same same school our kids go to and also participate in similar activities.

[Nell Plotts]

I am not aware of any pattern of different treatment or discrimination against such families in the Portland Metro area (or even in the NW) for many many many years. There are always jerks in every community but those characters would as likely take issue with a person's hair length. Live anywhere you like. If you have issues with anyone it won't be because you have a mixed race marriage.

[Rob Allen]

Your family's racial makeup will not cause the slightest stir in the Portland area.

Don't eliminate the entire city of Portland from your search; there are some wonderful neighborhoods here. Hans is right about the area between Portland and Beaverton; there are great places to live there. But it isn't near the MAX line, which may or may not be important to you. To live near MAX, you might want to check places like Orenco Station.

[DSLJohn]

Thank you for your feedback, hearing from residents of the Portland area is reassuring. We are actually in Portland for the next few days. I'll be sure to visit the area between Portland and Beaverton too.

[DSLJohn]

Say Hans64, can you please post the zip codes for the areas you are referring too? Thanks!

Edit: Did some Googling...

Raleigh Hills/West Slope 97225
Garden Home 97223

[PDX_LAX]

Originally Posted by DSLJohn

Say Hans64, can you please post the zip codes for the areas you are referring too? Thanks!

Edit: Did some Googling...

Raleigh Hills/West Slope 97225
Garden Home 97223

What did you think of Portland while you were here? I basically live between Raleigh Hills and Garden Home if you would like to know more.

As far as the mixed race thing, my neighborhood is pretty much all white but I still wouldn't imagine your family having any trouble.