Lake Oswego vs. West Linn (Beaverton, Beaver: fit in, organic, to live in)

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by vks

Both nice cities with excellent schools, parks, and commutes to Portland. It seems to me that LO is more beautiful, but in a fake/Disneyland sort of way. I prefer the natural beauty of West Linn. It is more relaxed, less fussy.

My thoughts exactly!!! WL is more down to earth, and with very friendly people. I notice very few smile in LO, which in my opinion should be contagious when you smile at them? Unfortunatley money brings snobbiness. I live in WL, but aso enjoy the LO lake, parks, downtown, and everything else it has to offer, because we are so close.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by hollandv

Wow, reading this thread one year after posting, and it still crackles. From afar -- without having visited either town yet but considering both for my next move -- I have to say West Linn sounds much more welcoming. The two main LO cheerleaders (and a couple in the peanut gallery) put on quite a superior, odious air. What a turn-off.

Will be up to scout properties soon. Interesting to see how they compare. Is West Linn really a shabby hodgepodge of wannabes living in McMansions as one poster says? Is Lake Oswego at heart just a snooty faux village dripping with disdain and flower baskets?

We'll see.

WL has so much character through and through, I do not see how it can be described as "mcmansions"!! What a twit! There are pockets just like anywhere (LO has them too), but for the most part, all the homes are so unique, with their own bit of charm. I love how in my neighborhood no house looks the same (no cookie cutter blah).
Very hilly, green, views galore, and clean! What a great combo. LO does have a lot of planters, with vibrant colors (which does add to the cities charm), but for me, that homey feeling is just not there. It feels too plastic I guess. Beautiful place though for sure!!

Good luck on your search. I know you will enjoy both cities.

[Nature Girl]

West Linn made #64 on best places to live for 2009! Not bad!! I have to say I am a very proud resident.
Best Places to Live 2009 - Top 100: City details: West Linn, OR - from MONEY Magazine

[JS00]

Lake Oswego is a well established city with many wonderful neighborhoods and plenty to do. The entire city revolves around Oswego Lake and is located against the Willamette River. By having a wonderful downtown area, Lake Oswego has the best of both worlds. Great neighborhoods (each with their own neighborhood association), and a beautiful, vibrant downtown area.

West Linn is becoming more established, but feels divided. You have those on the hill and those in the Willamette area. West Linn feels like two separate cities, whereas Lake Oswego is unified around Oswego Lake.

Lake Oswego is the place to be, that's why houses are the most expensive in the state. Even ranch-style houses are pretty spendy! And it's virtually impossible to buy a house on the lake for under a million dollars.

Lake Oswego was recently noted in TIME magazine for raising 1.6 million to save teachers (impressive, given the economy!). That is down from the usual 2 million raised in previous years. No other city in Oregon, and probably the United States, raises around 2 million each year to save teachers. That's something almost no city can compete with.

People in Lake Oswego are proud of these achievements, and if that comes off as snobby, so be it.

BTW, Lake Oswego was ranked #79 on CNN's list this year. Two years ago, Lake Oswego was ranked #34.

PS:
hollandv,

What type of houses are you looking for? Maybe I can assist you in the areas that would be best suited for you in Lake Oswego.

[JHG722]

Originally Posted by hollandv

The two main LO cheerleaders (and a couple in the peanut gallery) put on quite a superior, odious air. What a turn-off.

Says the person living in Southern California of all places...

[Nature Girl]

Again, both have different feels to them. One more money feel and pricey, and the other more homey and countryesk. It's all about preference. Some people just prefer to be in a more laid back atmosphere with friendly neighbors. I love that WL is beautiful and considered affluent with great schools, but without the mentality of "keeping up with the Jone's". It's just a preference....Yep, LO is ranked #79 on the 2009 best places to live list, and WL is #64. Both GREAT cities, with different feels.

Originally Posted by JS00

Lake Oswego is a well established city with many wonderful neighborhoods and plenty to do. The entire city revolves around Oswego Lake and is located against the Willamette River. By having a wonderful downtown area, Lake Oswego has the best of both worlds. Great neighborhoods (each with their own neighborhood association), and a beautiful, vibrant downtown area.

West Linn is becoming more established, but feels divided. You have those on the hill and those in the Willamette area. West Linn feels like two separate cities, whereas Lake Oswego is unified around Oswego Lake.

Lake Oswego is the place to be, that's why houses are the most expensive in the state. Even ranch-style houses are pretty spendy! And it's virtually impossible to buy a house on the lake for under a million dollars.

Lake Oswego was recently noted in TIME magazine for raising 1.6 million to save teachers (impressive, given the economy!). That is down from the usual 2 million raised in previous years. No other city in Oregon, and probably the United States, raises around 2 million each year to save teachers. That's something almost no city can compete with.

People in Lake Oswego are proud of these achievements, and if that comes off as snobby, so be it.

BTW, Lake Oswego was ranked #79 on CNN's list this year. Two years ago, Lake Oswego was ranked #34.

PS:
hollandv,

What type of houses are you looking for? Maybe I can assist you in the areas that would be best suited for you in Lake Oswego.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by JS00

Lake Oswego is a well established city with many wonderful neighborhoods and plenty to do. The entire city revolves around Oswego Lake and is located against the Willamette River. By having a wonderful downtown area, Lake Oswego has the best of both worlds. Great neighborhoods (each with their own neighborhood association), and a beautiful, vibrant downtown area.

West Linn is becoming more established, but feels divided. You have those on the hill and those in the Willamette area. West Linn feels like two separate cities, whereas Lake Oswego is unified around Oswego Lake.

Lake Oswego is the place to be, that's why houses are the most expensive in the state. Even ranch-style houses are pretty spendy! And it's virtually impossible to buy a house on the lake for under a million dollars.

Lake Oswego was recently noted in TIME magazine for raising 1.6 million to save teachers (impressive, given the economy!). That is down from the usual 2 million raised in previous years. No other city in Oregon, and probably the United States, raises around 2 million each year to save teachers. That's something almost no city can compete with.

People in Lake Oswego are proud of these achievements, and if that comes off as snobby, so be it.

BTW, Lake Oswego was ranked #79 on CNN's list this year. Two years ago, Lake Oswego was ranked #34.

PS:
hollandv,

What type of houses are you looking for? Maybe I can assist you in the areas that would be best suited for you in Lake Oswego.

I can't wait to get back down to the states and go rowing on the lake

[JS00]

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

It's just a preference....Yep, LO is ranked #79 on the 2009 best places to live list, and WL is #64.

I have a feeling the reason West Linn is ranked higher (this year) is because houses are cheaper to buy in West Linn.

When the economy was good, back in 2007, LO was ranked #34 and West Linn wasn't ranked at all.

[Nature Girl]

Originally Posted by JS00

I have a feeling the reason West Linn is ranked higher (this year) is because houses are cheaper to buy in West Linn.

When the economy was good, back in 2007, LO was ranked #34 and West Linn wasn't ranked at all.

And comments like that is why I chose WL.

[hollandv]

Originally Posted by JHG722

Says the person living in Southern California of all places...

The Philadelphian chides the southern Californian for commenting on comments about the area of Oregon she's considering moving to.