visiting with small children (Portland, Beaverton: best suburbs, crime, neighborhoods)

[earth mama]

My family might be relocating from Texas to Portland within the next year. I've never been to Oregon so we are planning a vacation there near the end of March. We will be bring our two kids with us. One will be 3 years old and the other 9 months old in March. I need to know what we can do while there to
1.) Keep 3 year old busy/happy.
2.) Get a good idea of what it is like to live in Portland.
3.) Take a look at the suburbs (which is where we would live) PS - need advice on best suburbs to live in.

Or anything else useful you could share with me.

[PNWdreamin]

I don't live in Portland yet, but I also plan to visit with my husband and kids this summer. This will be my 2nd trip to Portland but my first with the little ones. A great website is oregonmom.com. It has tons of great ideas on what to see and do with kids...rain or shine. We also plan on driving around checking out different neighborhoods to live in while there. I would suggest simply reading through all the post on here from people asking the same question. We plan on checking out Beaverton, Tigard, Sherwood, and both the NW and NE areas. You can also go to greatschools.com and enter in different school districts to compare if that's important to you.

Also, just a heads up. My first trip to Portland was in March and it was nice and wet Of course that didn't stop us from enjoying the great outdoors there! Hiking to the top of Multnomah Falls in the rain was very refreshing and beautiful However I don't know if I would suggest doing that with the kids in tow. But a must see IMHO!

[Nell Plotts]

Grandmom of toddlers here!

For indoor fun OMSI has a wonderful science playroom Visit Museum | OMSI; the children's museum (near the Oregon Zoo) is fantastic Portland Children's Museum | Family Fun, Learning, Birthdays | Portland, OR; PlayDate PDX is a huge indoor climbing structure.

You can check this resource also: What to do around Portland with kids!

Enjoy your time with us.

[jb122]

We lived in Portland for 2 years and absolutely loved it. There is so much to do with kids and many activities are free or very inexpensive. Check out urbanmamas.com

[Nell Plotts]

jb122, there are folks who leave Cleveland and come back to Portland.

Housing may be cheap but private schools are not.

[jb122]

Nell Plotts, we have been in Cleveland for about 8 months and are underwhelmed. We are considering a move Asheville, NC but are tempted to just head back west!

[Nell Plotts]

Health care is Cleveland's primary industry these days and the Cleveland Clinic has a fantastic reputation. Cleveland schools, not so much.

[jb122]

Earth Mama, if you move to Portland you should consider moving to a neighborhood within the city limits. Portland has an almost European feel so you will find that amenities such as parks, libraries, markets, public transit, etc. are readily accessible and most neighborhoods are safe for families. The public schools are good, offer open enrollment, and have immersion and enrichment programs as well. The suburbs are cookie cutter, boring, any-town USA kind of places filled with big box stores, malls, chain restaurants. In many cities across the country you may feel forced to live in the suburbs due to poor schools, crime rate, and lack of amenities; not so in Portland.