Relocating to Hillsboro (Aloha, Forest Grove, Cornelius: rentals, house, to buy)

[countryfamily]

We will be relocating to the Hillsboro area from Southern Oregon this summer (husband working at the airport). We are researching smaller communities, ie: Forest Groves, Banks...we will be hoping for somewhere to rent with room for a horse and dogs until we settle in enough to buy. Have a high school student so that will be a consideration. We really are country ppeople and do not want to live "in the city"...even Hillsboro is too big.
Will we be able to find atleast an acre for a horse to rent? Area's to avoid? Any resource suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Nell Plotts]

Finding just that combination will be tough. I suggest you board or pasture your horse until you find the right place to buy.

[NWbyNW]

Tough with the horse. If you are looking for land to find for a horse, and close proximity to the airport, AND don't want to live in "the city," I would really look at North Plaines, Forest Grove, and maybe Cornelius. Forest Grove has a very nice historic downtown, but it is also a college town. That might be a negative or positive. Also a short drive to the airport. Possibly 20 minutes is all.

From North Plaines, which is very rural, but they have a small main street, you can easily jump onto HWY 26 and get to Hillsboro's Airport. Just about 15 minutes and all countryside.

There are more rural areas with names south of Hillsboro which could be desirable, and still close to the services of, "the city." Farmington, Midway, Scholls.

I wouldn't be concerned about areas to avoid. It's safe.

[Random_Walk]

Agreed... the horse will be tough to house that close to Hillsboro. Vernonia may have something useful in that regard, and Tillamook definitely would, but those are 35-60 minutes' drive off, respectively.

North Plains may have something as well, and would probably be your best bet. Otherwise you could ask around in areas just northwest of Hillsboro, but I wouldn't hold my breath in that regard.

[Skippy Weaselpants]

Maybe you should look at the Aloha area. Since it's not an incorporated city, it's rules about having horseys might be more lax. Check with Washington County code enforcement.

[Nell Plotts]

The issue is finding a RENTAL that meets all her needs. That will be very difficult.

[Random_Walk]

If there's any rentals with horse property in/around Aloha, it'll likely be along Farmington Road out past 209th or so, where things turn rural in a hurry. The further West, the more likely.

On the other hand, a lot of the homes out that way are owned, but it might be worth a shot.

[figmalt]

It's been my experience that most people who have horses in Hillsboro board them.

There are small unincorporated areas like Roy, Verboort, Gales Creek & Helvetia to consider. Then smaller towns like Gaston, Yamhill and North Plains. Though as Nell mentioned, it might be difficult to find a rental in these areas.

[hamellr]

There are tons of horse boarders around Gaston. But the rental part is going to be hard to find there.

[countryfamily]

Thank you all for your comments. We realize renting in the "country" anywhere is difficult. Maybe we should focus on an area by school...We have a high school (will be) junior. Currently attends a very small country school. Are there areas that are better than others to consider for him?