Racial climate in West Linn and other Portland suburbs (Clackamas: best, metro)

[Nell Plotts]

Wmt. Valley Republicans were best described as 'cloth coat' and progressive, the party has moved away from their core values. The religious right just doesn't have much of a pull there.

Country Clubs are dying on the vine IMHO, not only because of the economy but because the adults in the household are working long hours and few see the benefit of paying hefty dues.

[wowhunter]

As far as being an interracial couple, you might look more to the Washington county suburbs if you prefer living in a more racially diverse area. Beaverton is actually more racially diverse than Portland, even though Portland proper has the reputation for being uber-progressive and all the rest.

You're unlikely to experience any hostility or problems in any part of metro Portland, but the two burbs you mentioned are very white (i.e., over 90%). There's a reason Lake Oswego earned the derisive moniker "Lake No Negro."

Well, we aren't looking for diverse neighborhoods per se, we have felt racism from multiple ethnicities, including white and african american. It's really more about people being willing to look at each other as people instead of whites, blacks, browns or what ever. I think we are looking for a place where people treat each other with common courtesy and give each other the opportunity to earn respect, as opposed to having a bunch of preconceived notions of who we are because of the color of our skin or where we come from. (I'm from southern California and I'm proud of it )

Washington County may indeed be a better fit. Certainly when we were there before, we had a great time. But there is an appeal of a smaller town with a river flowing through it after living on the edge of the desert for over 40 years. Thanks for your perspective.

[Mt-7]

Originally Posted by wowhunter

Well, we aren't looking for diverse neighborhoods per se, we have felt racism from multiple ethnicities, including white and african american. It's really more about people being willing to look at each other as people instead of whites, blacks, browns or what ever. I think we are looking for a place where people treat each other with common courtesy and give each other the opportunity to earn respect, as opposed to having a bunch of preconceived notions of who we are because of the color of our skin or where we come from. (I'm from southern California and I'm proud of it )

Washington County may indeed be a better fit. Certainly when we were there before, we had a great time. But there is an appeal of a smaller town with a river flowing through it after living on the edge of the desert for over 40 years. Thanks for your perspective.

Interested in another opinion?

I lived for 30 plus years in PDX and southwest Washington, Clackamas counties.
IMO the bias is more towards the hispanic community because of the demographic shifts over the years. Check out West Linn, Dunthorpe, the Ladd, Parrot roads areas closer to Wilsonville. Sherwood, Silver Falls are also very nice.
There may be more "Californians" in Oregon than Oregonians now. I would not worry about it. There are also nice neighborhoods in PDX. Sellwood, Mt. Tabor, the Pearl. Good Luck. DM me if you wish.

[hml1976]

I think PDX is an accepting area where race is hardly an issue, more than any other place I've lived.

The true bias is against Republicans if you haven't noticed Only in PDX when someone asks if its a tolerant area does the post immediately turn to "well, don't worry there aren't too many Republicans here."

[philwithbeard]

Originally Posted by hml1976

I think PDX is an accepting area where race is hardly an issue, more than any other place I've lived.

The true bias is against Republicans if you haven't noticed Only in PDX when someone asks if its a tolerant area does the post immediately turn to "well, don't worry there aren't too many Republicans here."

Oh, how true that is!

[dogmom916]

Wow, wish I would have seen this 7 yrs ago. I lived in Lake Oswego from 2002-2005 with my white then boyfriend and now husband while I was attending law school. Curious if you ended up retiring there with your wife, Wowhunter, and how it is going if so. We had a few experiences such as an entire restaurant turning around to stare at us (and us leaving after that). And just random stares at us periodically, but other than that we were fine. We did move back to CA though when I was done.

[Dentontxboy]

Originally Posted by hml1976

I think PDX is an accepting area where race is hardly an issue, more than any other place I've lived.

The true bias is against Republicans if you haven't noticed Only in PDX when someone asks if its a tolerant area does the post immediately turn to "well, don't worry there aren't too many Republicans here."

See, this is what I'm dreading. I'll be found out pretty quickly that I'm Texan, I just hope they don't ask for my political views. I could be in trouble if that happens.

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Dentontxboy

See, this is what I'm dreading. I'll be found out pretty quickly that I'm Texan, I just hope they don't ask for my political views. I could be in trouble if that happens.

There are plenty of Republicans in Clackamas County and out here in WA County, as well, though more like 50% here in Beaverton. Tigard has a good amount of Republicans.

[Dentontxboy]

If we didn't have a city named Gun Barrel City, I'd say y'all had some of the silliest named cities. Thanks yankee

[Yankeemama]

Originally Posted by Dentontxboy

If we didn't have a city named Gun Barrel City, I'd say y'all had some of the silliest named cities. Thanks yankee

There are a lot of gun owners out here too even with Obama stickers on their trucks!. It's interesting out here. But yeah, we have some groovy names of our towns, I love the name, Beaverton, though.