New job in Hillsboro - moving with kids (Portland, Beaverton: apartments, rentals)

[anjelaarnold]

Hello everyone,

My husband just accepted a job at Intel in Hillsboro, and we'll be relocating there from AZ in June. Neither of us has ever been to the area, so I'm looking for some insight. We are planning on renting for now. We've got 2 young kids, but the oldest will be starting kindergarten within a couple of years, so schools are important.

We would love to rent a house so the kids will have a yard, but we're open to apartments or townhomes as well. I've read that Hillsboro is nice, parts of Beaverton, and I think Bethany? Are there areas we should avoid? What's the transit system like? We do have family in Vancouver, but won't have reason to head that way often, so I'm more interested in finding the best balance of price, schools, and distance from work.

Also just curious, are there any smaller towns in the general area that might have properties with a little land (we'd like to find that when we decide to buy, and I'm not sure if that's even an option out there?)

I have no idea what rentals are going for in the area either, so any insight on what to expect there would be nice.

Thanks for any tips you can give!

[texasdiver]

The more affluent parts of Bethany and Beaverton (mostly the area north of US-26) are going to have the most highly rated schools, mostly because they are the most affluent. Westview and Sunset are the two highest rated high schools in the Beaverton area and all of the feeder elementary and middle schools for those two will also be highly rated. That would be the two green zones on this map. https://www.zipdatamaps.com/schools/...tendance-zones

But honestly there aren't any bad areas anywhere on the west side of Portland.

The Hillsboro area is going to be more diverse economically and socially with a very large Hispanic population compared to Beaverton.

If you want smaller towns then you could look over towards Forest Grove which is not far away.

There is light rail service between Hillsboro and Portland with multiple stops in Beaverton plus an extensive bus network.

[blazenjames]

There is a raging housing bubble right now. You'll have to overpay for a decent home. You're competing against high income Intel and Nike employees.

[Racer46]

Originally Posted by anjelaarnold

Hello everyone,

My husband just accepted a job at Intel in Hillsboro, and we'll be relocating there from AZ in June. Neither of us has ever been to the area, so I'm looking for some insight. We are planning on renting for now. We've got 2 young kids, but the oldest will be starting kindergarten within a couple of years, so schools are important.

We would love to rent a house so the kids will have a yard, but we're open to apartments or townhomes as well. I've read that Hillsboro is nice, parts of Beaverton, and I think Bethany? Are there areas we should avoid? What's the transit system like? We do have family in Vancouver, but won't have reason to head that way often, so I'm more interested in finding the best balance of price, schools, and distance from work.

Also just curious, are there any smaller towns in the general area that might have properties with a little land (we'd like to find that when we decide to buy, and I'm not sure if that's even an option out there?)

I have no idea what rentals are going for in the area either, so any insight on what to expect there would be nice.

Thanks for any tips you can give!

I have a family member living in Vernonia which is in the mountains but not that far from Hillsboro. Not sure about the schools but his daughter went there and I never heard of any issues. Homes are less expensive and can have land with land at various sizes. His home is in escrow and he will be moving out next month. Might be worth while looking at Vernonia if you like a small town with basic amenities and an easy drive to Hillsboro and Portland.

[blazenjames]

Vernonia is not an easy drive from Hillsboro and Portland.

[E-Twist]

It's about 45 minutes from Hillsboro to Vernonia. I associate Vernonia as being a slightly depressed area, but I suppose as prices of homes have risen in Portland that it may have improved in recent years as people have been moving farther out. You might find something between Vernonia and Hillsboro.

Wherever you look for housing......You want to avoid needing to use Hwy 217. It's awful.

[E-Twist]

Originally Posted by anjelaarnold

Hello everyone,

My husband just accepted a job at Intel in Hillsboro, and we'll be relocating there from AZ in June. Neither of us has ever been to the area, so I'm looking for some insight. We are planning on renting for now. We've got 2 young kids, but the oldest will be starting kindergarten within a couple of years, so schools are important.

We would love to rent a house so the kids will have a yard, but we're open to apartments or townhomes as well. I've read that Hillsboro is nice, parts of Beaverton, and I think Bethany? Are there areas we should avoid? What's the transit system like? We do have family in Vancouver, but won't have reason to head that way often, so I'm more interested in finding the best balance of price, schools, and distance from work.

Also just curious, are there any smaller towns in the general area that might have properties with a little land (we'd like to find that when we decide to buy, and I'm not sure if that's even an option out there?)

I have no idea what rentals are going for in the area either, so any insight on what to expect there would be nice.

Thanks for any tips you can give!

Where are you coming from? Someone might be familiar with the area and could possibly give you a little comparison between where you are now and where you are going.

[SlideRules99]

Banks is another small town option within 20-minutes of Hillsboro. Handful of Intel folks in the area. Land can be had.

Bethany is nice.

Both Hillsboro and Forest Grove have nice options. Just pay attention to which area as things do vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Cooper Mountain area of Beaverton is nice, and keeps you within 20-minutes of Intel (Ronler Acres I assume?). Great nature preserve right there.

In general I would steer clear of Aloha. There are some decent pockets, but overall area has degraded over the years IMO.

Good luck!

[CARas2020]

I live in WA country Tanasbourne area. The townhouse we live in is 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bath with a two car tandem garage. We pay about $1900 a month. it's quiet near PCC Rock Creek and is in Beaverton school district.

It is very close to Intel maybe 2 or 3 miles.

Grocery stores close Trader Joes, Barnes and Nobles.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by blazenjames

Vernonia is not an easy drive from Hillsboro and Portland.

Be aware than Vernonia floods...