Where in Portland? (Eugene, Gresham, Beaverton: schools, income, income tax)

[rebuilder]

I started out in Medford, moved up to Eugene and now on my way to the Portland area because of job opportunities. I am a machinist and there are alot of machine shops in the Portland area. I do not like to live in the city so with this in mind where would be a good place to live that would make it possible to work in Portland, but not live in Portland without more than 1/2 hour commute?

[surveyorusa]

Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Tigard, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Clackamas all come to mind. They are all suburbs or overgrown small towns. Lake Oswego has the rep as an expensive, exclusive area. The others much less so. People tend to pick one based on schools or proximity to jobs.

You could also consider Vancouver, Washington just across the Columbia River. There are tax implications, though, unless you could work in Washington State exclusively, because although the state of Washington has no income tax, anyone who works in Oregon (with some exceptions) has to pay Oregon income tax, even if you live in Washington.

What are you looking for in a place to live otherwise?