Brush Prarie? (Salmon Creek, Camas, Felida: appointed, house, neighborhood)

[ladybugnw]

We have been mostly looking at Camas or Felida/Salmon Creek areas and last weekend we found an amazing home in Brush PRarie. I would move there tomorrow except the schools report I have seen online is not so great. It was pouring rain when we saw it so we didn't really drive around the area outside of the neighborhood. Any insight would be great. Is the commute to 205 or I5 bad in the morning? Going to SWMC

[Julie_Baldino]

Is it Hockinson Schools? If so, they are excellent. If it is Glenwood, Laurin, Prairie, my nieces/nephew went there and my sister was very pleased with the schools. Lower property taxes too.

[ladybugnw]

Yes, it is Hockinson Schools, I thought it was Battleground. What is the area like? Seems like there are homes with large lots with lots of land, everything from farm house to million dollar house. Coming from a suburban area, would it feel like a "hick" area? We'd love the space but don't want to be too far away from life.

[StealthRabbit]

Hockinson is definately not 'Hicksville', many great people there, and MANY professionals who are seeking a good edu for their kids. Graduation is like a 'Who's-Who' of scientist, engineer, business, doctor (and normal) people's kids.

Very good community that is rightfully proud and supportive of their schools.

Heavy Apostolic Lutheran and plenty of LDS mixed in, but each is very respectful of the other. If you hail from CA or OR, leave that culture (and license plates) behind. You will find great friends and neighbors in Hockinson, and really great schools. BUT the kids will be expected to work very hard. (some parents find that offensive / too much homework). 4H is another great thing to experience there as a kid. (Our presidents should be required to have competed in 4H, and kept their own record book.) Stuff is plenty close, especially if one of you is commuting to town every day. New Winco going in at 503 & NE 119th. It will bring most of the stuff you would need. (adjacent businesses). Fred Meyer is only 10 min south of Hockinson and Battleground has a bunch of stuff. Costco / Mall 15 min away. Plenty of sports and music events for kids nearby. Tho my sis drives her kids to Portland from Hockinson to participate in youth Orchestra.

Many professionals do the daily commute to enjoy the countryside and good schools.

[ladybugnw]

Rabbit-
Thanks so much!!!!
This is exactly what I had hoped about the area. It all sounds grand and we hope we are able to get the home we have found. The school systems (online) look great (we are coming from great schools in Beaverton)and I'm so excited for my kids to be a part of it. The new Winco seals the deal because I love the deals at Winco. Thanks! BTW-I am LDS, so that is great to hear too!
Also, the thought of getting some "land" with your home is great too!
How far from this area to Mill PLain off 205?

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by ladybugnw

...
How far from this area to Mill PLain off 205?

Great, I hope you find your perfect spot in the Hockinson area, I know several LDS families there as well as a fruit basket of others. They are all very pleased. The only issue I've been aware of is some trouble with 'shared' driveways (some 'ole-timers' have been stinkers, but this is the case anywhere, and a common problem in rural areas). IF you have a private road, Make sure you have good access and it is well defined by a recorded easement and road maintenance agreement. I will try to think of some friends who made the move from Beaverton to Hockinson to help get you calibrated. The only issue I can see as a potential issue is, NO SWIMMING POOLS. Clark County has been a serious disappointment for me, and I used to drive to Beaverton to enjoy a 50 m pool. I came from a town of 35,000 in Colorado that had 3 indoor public pools and was astounded (and embarrassed) when I showed up at my local Clark County High school with my swimming bag, and they looked at me like I was an Alien. I had swam on my lunch breaks for 10yrs... I just thought that was what I paid taxes to high schools for. WRONG. Not here... There are some clubs and a YMCA pool, but nothing for $.75 (Which it still costs in Colo when I return for vacations). I currently drive to Stevenson ($2.30), but they are planning to close pool to save $$ There is a new pool at Firstenburg center, BUT... it is a 'play' pool, not a serious lap pool. Too bad for adults. I am planning to move out of the area, so a CHEAP public lap pool is mandatory for my move criteria. (after 26 yrs w/o, it is tough to stay fit since I can't run, I love my business trips to Asia where they have lots of nice pools (deck level water too!, no sunken pools (dark holes) like in US).

FYI:
Commute will be ~ 10 minutes to I-205 (via Padden Parkway) and another 10 minutes to SWMC

[sushi66]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

The only issue I can see as a potential issue is, NO SWIMMING POOLS. Clark County has been a serious disappointment for me, and I used to drive to Beaverton to enjoy a 50 m pool. I came from a town of 35,000 in Colorado that had 3 indoor public pools and was astounded (and embarrassed) when I showed up at my local Clark County High school with my swimming bag, and they looked at me like I was an Alien.

I agree about the swimming pools! I'm planning to buy in BG and was disappointed they have no pool at the high school, nor at the health club. Right now I swim/underwater run at the YMCA on 112th, I like it better than Firstenburg, although wish both were lap pools. I plan to install an above ground Endless Pool in my backyard in BG.

[Wellness]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Great, I hope you find your perfect spot in the Hockinson area, I know several LDS families there as well as a fruit basket of others. They are all very pleased. The only issue I've been aware of is some trouble with 'shared' driveways (some 'ole-timers' have been stinkers, but this is the case anywhere, and a common problem in rural areas). IF you have a private road, Make sure you have good access and it is well defined by a recorded easement and road maintenance agreement. I will try to think of some friends who made the move from Beaverton to Hockinson to help get you calibrated. The only issue I can see as a potential issue is, NO SWIMMING POOLS. Clark County has been a serious disappointment for me, and I used to drive to Beaverton to enjoy a 50 m pool. I came from a town of 35,000 in Colorado that had 3 indoor public pools and was astounded (and embarrassed) when I showed up at my local Clark County High school with my swimming bag, and they looked at me like I was an Alien. I had swam on my lunch breaks for 10yrs... I just thought that was what I paid taxes to high schools for. WRONG. Not here... There are some clubs and a YMCA pool, but nothing for $.75 (Which it still costs in Colo when I return for vacations). I currently drive to Stevenson ($2.30), but they are planning to close pool to save $$ There is a new pool at Firstenburg center, BUT... it is a 'play' pool, not a serious lap pool. Too bad for adults. I am planning to move out of the area, so a CHEAP public lap pool is mandatory for my move criteria. (after 26 yrs w/o, it is tough to stay fit since I can't run, I love my business trips to Asia where they have lots of nice pools (deck level water too!, no sunken pools (dark holes) like in US).

FYI:
Commute will be ~ 10 minutes to I-205 (via Padden Parkway) and another 10 minutes to SWMC

Hockinson is 4 miles from the corner of Ward Road where WA 500 starts.
I don't how you can get to I-205 from hockinson in 10 minutes, it's more like 20 minutes unless you driving over the speed limit.