What neighborhoods to visit? (Portland, Gresham: renting, houses, buy)

[avnwx]

I'll be in Portland soon and will have a couple hours to look at some neighborhoods for a possible future move. I'd like to look at neighborhoods where I could get a house for 400K or less and be within 20-30 min drive (with traffic) of the airport (where the job would be). The ideal neighborhood would have lots of at least 0.2 acres, little to no crime, plenty of trees, and commerce within walking or short drive (gym, parks, restaurants, library, etc).

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your time,

[davemess10]

With your deisired lots size and proximity to the aiport, I would recommend either, Oregon City, Clackamas, or Somewhere in Washington. Almost all lots in Portland will be under .1 acre. Your price point is good for most places in Portland, but the size will be an issue.
Look North to Vancouver, and you might find the space you are describing. Though requiring large lots and walking vicinity to amenities is kind of an oxymoron around this area.

[hamellr]

There are .2 Acres sized lots in Washington County at that price point, but you're closer to 45-60 minute drive to the Airport. You might get lucky and find something between Marine drive and MLK area, but then you'll need to deal with mixed used residential areas that have light industrial nearby.

[Nell Plotts]

All in all I think that the OP would be wise to look in Vancouver along I-205 or Camas. If s/he is 'stationed' in Portland that won't avoid Oregon income tax but if this is the household where they will be flying out of SFO/OAK/SJC Oregon taxes are much better than California's.

[avnwx]

Thanks for the feedback. Yep, 0.1 acre lots are too small for me. However, I still wouldn't mind driving 5 min to get to shopping, gym, parks, etc. Is Happy Valley 20-25 min driving distance to the airport?

Also, I'm definitely not looking for total suburbia. What I'm looking for is decent sized lots, 300K-400K houses, and culture/food/parks very close by.

Thanks again for any help.

Shad

[Nell Plotts]

Happy Valley is within 20 minutes drive to the airport but it is definitely suburbia, culture you will find in down town Portland. There is a new MAX line that parallels I-205 (near Happy Valley) which will take you down town. It does connect with the airport MAX but if your work hours could run late that probably isn't your best route to work. Many of those homes were constructed in the housing boom run-up, personally I wouldn't buy anything less than 10 years old so that construction defects are evident.

[SETabor]

You may want to look at Gresham or Troutdale. Not exactly culture hubs but convenient to the airport and getting into town when you want. Gresham has more food but both have parks and are less total suburbia than Happy Valley.

[Nell Plotts]

My issue with many locations in Troutdale is that they are in the Columbia River Gorge wind tunnel. That can just suck the heat out of a home.

[davemess10]

OP, as you can see you're probably not going to find all the things you want and will have to either:
1. Look in Washington
2. Deal with the smaller lot size in the city
3. Live in the suburbs (which will have the lots size you want, but not the walkability).

Frankly, it's a lot to ask to want a close, walkable neighborhood and still have big lots. Those things are kind of dichotomous.

There are some larger lots in Portland, mainly in areas of the NE. You might get up around .2 acres. The NE would also be a pretty easy drive to the airport via 84 or Killingsworth.

[Minervah]

Another factor in determing where to live will depend upon the availability of housing. One has to be flexible at least when first relocating. I think renting is a better option because then it will be easier to have a home base from which to search for a house to purchase.

I agree, with what the OP is looking for, the suburbs will provide the best option.