Dallas Oregon - moving there very soon (Portland, Salem: apartments, rental)

[Believer2016]

I would appreciate information about living in Dallas. I have a job set up in downtown Salem and need to move to a good community outside of the big city.
Two children for school, 4th and 10th grades.
I do not mind a commute and from the looks it is about 20 mins into Salem.
I have read threads about Dallas but look for insight of someone living there.

Area to live in that is good? East, south etc.
Looking at apartments or rental until settled. We like small town life and this is
A step up but not too big from what we are familiar with.

Location looks good. Weather? Summers sunny? Warm? 4 seasons.

Any info would be appreciated.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Location is good, reasonable drive to Salem, Portland, or the ocean. Head south towards Peedee and Kings Valley for excellent hiking and some good fishing. Shopping and hospital are good in Salem.

Dallas is a typical farm community. My son went to high school there and the ciriculum includes real life skills like balancing a budget and some vocational skills. My son learned welding. That was years ago, though, so the schools might have changed.

[Believer2016]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Location is good, reasonable drive to Salem, Portland, or the ocean. Head south towards Peedee and Kings Valley for excellent hiking and some good fishing. Shopping and hospital are good in Salem.

Dallas is a typical farm community. My son went to high school there and the ciriculum includes real life skills like balancing a budget and some vocational skills. My son learned welding. That was years ago, though, so the schools might have changed.

Thank you for the info. It does help. Sounds like a place that we would like. .

[Silverfall]

Dallas is too small to have any really bad parts in my opinion. There are poorer neighborhoods, but I wouldn't call them bad. The neighborhood by the aquatic center (River Gleann) is really nice. Look for streets Barberry, Cynthia, Heather, etc. It is near a really nice neighborhood park, the aquatic center and the middle school.

Farther north is Fairhaven, Meadowhaven and Cynthian Oaks. Look for Fairhaven, Hillcrest, etc in northern Dallas. There is a neighborhood park there.

Bridlewood Equestrian Estates (not horse properties, normal homes) is a nice area in southwest Dallas. It is kind of off by itself though. Look for the wood streets, Laurelwood, Bridlewood, Maplewood, etc. They have condos in there that you might be able to rent.

If old houses are your thing, the neighborhoods west/southwest of downtown have some really nicely restored old homes. Hayter, Leven, Clay, etc.

[Larry Caldwell]

The fly in the ointment is the Center Street Bridge across the Willamette in Salem. There is a daily traffic jam, and if there is an accident you will be late to work. In really bad conditions, you can get across the river at Independence. River Road is twisty and frightens people, so oddly enough, traffic is better by that route. You end up a few blocks south of downtown Salem.

Besides Dallas you could also consider Monmouth or Independence. Both of them are small towns, and Monmouth is a college town.

[therese marie]

Besides Dallas you could also consider Monmouth or Independence. Both of them are small towns, and Monmouth is a college town.

We were traveling all over Oregon beginning of July to look where we wanted to move to. We happen to drive through Independence on 4th of July.. It was kinda like being in the Twilight Zone because no matter where we turned, we had road blocks for the parade.. We were trapped..
We laugh about it now...LOL

[Believer2016]

Thanks to all posting so far. I appreciate the info.

[Believer2016]

Found Victoria Place Apts. any reviews or info about the apts?
We would like to rent for a while prior to looking to buy and this appears to be close to schools, close to aquatic center, clean. Good location.
Spoke with management already but seeking input.

[Tall Traveler]

Lived there for awhile, really nice community. Not too far of commute. It's been a long time so not sure about the schools but they were good when we were there.