Good schools, neighborhoods in Portland (Raleigh Hills, Jefferson: to rent, home, unemployment)

[wami]

Hi,

My husband has been asked to transfer to his company's Portland office. We currently live in Seattle and have been enjoying it very much (been here for 9 months), but we're seriously considering the idea. The cost of living is lower, Portland has easy access to outdoor rec, etc.

I'd like some recommendations on neighborhoods and schools. We drove down last weekend and very much liked what we saw -- we'll miss being on the Sound, though. We explored the SW neighborhoods of Hillsdale, Raleigh Hills, Multnomah Village. Very pretty, sounds like the schools are good. But we both fell in love with the NE corner of the city -- Irvington, Alameda and the area around Alberta, I believe its called. But it seems like the NE neighborhoods are mostly out of our price range (under $350K).

We have a 17-month-old daughter and would like to be able to send her, with confidence, to public schools, but I'm starting to open up my philosophical stance on education to include private schools. Maybe.

So, any suggestions?

[wami]

Wow, no thoughts? Is there another thread on this forum I should read instead? Could someone direct me?

[Nell Plotts]

I think many are on vacation. I have my roots in the west side so am not really knowledgeable about east side grade schools. Of those on your list that I know: the Arlington and Hillsdale neighborhoods have always had strong schools.

Public schools nation wide are receiving less funding from the State so parental involvement in the school and with their children's education will be paramount. With the amount of unemployment I venture that even private schools are having a tough time. There is a website that publishes public school test results, I think if you search this forum you can find it.

You must be renting in Seattle, else moving wouldn't be so easy. Were I new to Portland I would rent in the neighborhood I was interested in... try before you buy so to speak. During that time explore the community. There are lots of neat neighborhoods in Portland that you might be happy living in. Home prices won't be increasing soon.

[oldtintype]

Alameda Elementary is one of the best and most desired elementary schools in Portland. If you can find somewhere around there go for it. There are other good ones as well, but the Alameda/Grant cluster and Lincoln cluster have the best test scores (and of course are all in expensive neighborhoods).

[wami]

Thanks for the advice. This lines up with the research I've been doing elsewhere. I'm trying to learn more about PPS charter schools as well. Yes, we are renting in Seattle and won't buy anything until we sell our place in Colorado (where we were living before Seattle). We intend to rent in an area we are interested in settling down in and see if we like it.

[TechmanOR]

Oregon Dept of Education website has information on school statistics. The vicinity around Jefferson High School is best avoided. That school has gotten "unacceptable" scores for many years in a row.