Looking in PDX Metro for a "Walkable" neighborhood with good public schools and a community feel (Portland: power lines, low crime)

[oneofakid]

Im looking to move to Portland in the near future & am having difficulty finding information about various neighborhoods. I have 3 children, all in different grades (elem., middle & high school) and they are all very athletic. My son going into high school needs a school with good soccer, footbal & basketball teams. He is also an accelerated learner. I am concerned becuase I understand Oregon schools in general are not very good. In addition, I understand there are areas (especially in the north and on the east side) that have high crime rates.

Here’s a complete list of criteria for me & my family:

Great public schools (sports and academics)
Small town center within walking distance (80% and above walkscore.com rating)
A variety of home types with minimal track homes (so we can eventually custom build a contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright”-ish house without standing out too much)
- Within 40 minutes to PDX airport
- Low crime rates
- A “community” feel, instead of just a sprawling suburbia of strip malls
- Lots of families with school-age children
- Views of something besides our own backyard (& without power lines littering the view)
- Near water would be preferable but not absolutely necessary if there is a public pool or ability to build a pool

It's a tall order, but we want to get it right the first move.

How are Hillsdale, Lake Oswego, West Hills, Multnomah Village, East Moreland, Hillsboro, Sherwood, Burlingame, etc???

Any guidance you could provide would be helpful. Thanks!!!!!

[oldtintype]

Well, school wise IN Portland you can't go wrong if you get into the Lincoln High School Cluster (Chapman or Ainsworth, West Sylvan, Lincoln). If you can afford the SW or NW Hills I'd say go for it. Others will know more about the suburban areas I'm sure!

[Lillietta]

[QUOTE=oldtintype;1500972]Well, school wise IN Portland you can't go wrong if you get into the Lincoln High School Cluster (Chapman or Ainsworth, West Sylvan, Lincoln). If you can afford the SW or NW Hills I'd say go for it. Others will know more about the suburban areas I'm sure![/quote]

This is what I mean about schools in Portland. Oldtintype recommends a particular school "cluster" and schools in the more expensive areas which means, as Portland teachers we have met and others who live in the city have repeatedly told us, the schools in the city are not good. I hear the schools in Beaverton are good and maybe in other suburbs, but Beaverton was specifically mentioned.

[5chevin5]

Perhaps somewhere along the Gorge?? ( Dare I say even SW Washington??)40 minutes to PDX is easy along most of 84 and out towards Scapoose...But they may lack that walkable "town" area, and the schools maybe questionable...

How about the out lying areas of Clackamas Co.? ...Forest Grove in outer Westside??
geez so many...with most that criteria...but hard to score high on all of it...
Im sure there are tons of places Im not thinking about....

Good Luck
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[oldtintype]

Schools in Portland are not all bad.

[5chevin5]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

Schools in Portland are not all bad.

I agree, I think that should be a question anyone should ask before moving...and what "type" of school. I belive (correct me if Im wrong) some schools are geared towards certain "styles" of teaching and what they actually teach.

I have no children...So Im the last person to even state a backward opinion.... I went to school in New York...I did okay. Learning is not "only" a job for schools,the parents are "teachers" too. But a lot of blame is put onto schools. Im not saying that their arent some that are mismanaged and perhaps under achieve, but I think really I was more a student of my mother and father then learning the skill of memorizing facts from books.

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[5chevin5]

And perhaps of I had memorized more I could spell better or be smart enough to hit spell check!! geez....
(Disclaimer, One cup of Coffee...I can't even speak yet either)

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[Supernova7]

I have never come across a school that was "bad." Some people seem to think that just because a school is located in a poor community it's bad. No, it's about the students desire to learn, being resourceful, discipline and struggle. Sometimes teachers are also underpaid and unappreciated. Private schools have been known to produce better students only because they are far better funded and impose greater discipline. When all is said and done you only use a small percentage of what you learn in school in the real world.

[lucero32]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but based on your criteria Lake Oswego would be a good fit. It is one of the most expensive areas of the greater metro area, but it has just about all of the features you desire. The academic programs are top notch, as are the athletics. If you can buy a home close to the downtown, there are cafes, shops, and a farmers market in a beautiful setting along the lake.

By the way, all of the areas you mentioned are rather pricey by Portland standards. Oh, and regarding the status of the schools, I think overall they are excellent. Many of the issues regarding schools have been overblown. Are there funding issues, yes...when is there not? Still, Oregon is third in the nation when it comes to average SAT scores of high school seniors. My local high school, Grant, in NE Portland is a prime example. Most of my neighbors send their kids to Grant, and the Grant cluster, and they absolutely love the school. Grant had students from last years class who are currently attending Yale, Dartmouth, Penn, Northwestern, USC, etc... If you are interested in an area within the city Alameda or Dolph Park would be good fits, certainly worth checking out.

Since your children are involved in school and have parents committed to their success, they will do well regardless.

Good luck with your search.

p.s. Regarding overall athletics at the high schools. In Portland Public, Lincoln and Grant have the best programs with each sending some students to D1 school. In the suburbs, Lake Oswego, Westview, and Southridge are all strong. The school with the best athletic programs in the state is Jesuit High School, a parochial school in Beaverton. They consistently win state titles in numerous sports and place athletes in top D1 schools.

[suncat]

The Lake Oswego schools are supposed to be excellent.