Home buying on the East side (Portland, Gresham: cul-de-sac, big house, neighborhoods)

[liquidaddicted]

Hello everyone! Thanks for reading my post

So my girlfriend and I are looking to buy our first house and looking to get some advice. Here is some back round on us...

Late 20's couple, both Nurses, From Buffalo, NY, Moved here about 1.5 years ago, have a dog, no children (not in the future either), currently living near Woodstock and 87th- we don't love it, but don't hate it either... it is a bit on the ghetto-er side but remember we're from the rust belt so were used to that.

What we are looking for-

$150,000 - $190,000 ish
would like to have a little land, maybe 0.2 acres or more or so
want to be east of the Willamette, South of Vancouver, North of Oregon City, and west of Sandy/Estacada
We'd like to be in a greener area, but would also like to be able to walk to a plaid pantry and a pub, but don't need to be in a trendy neighborhood

We are currently considering Milwaukie as the area that would most likely suit our needs. Also considering outer gresham or troutdale, but they seem a little too suburbian too me (ie big houses, no trees cul-de-sacs... is that about right?)

So Milwaukie... I am a bit worried about the area flooding and having flood damage. Is that a reasonable concern?

Also, is downtown Milwaukie a place me GF and I could go out for drinks and have a good time or is it usually a ghost town at night? (We aren't into clubs or anything crazy... hole in the wall pubs with a shuffle board table do just fine for us

With the new Max line going down there, do you think it will decrease the property value?

Are there any other areas or neighborhoods I should be considering?

Sorry this was so long winded, I just wanted to give an accurate portrait of us and our thoughts and questions.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

[Nell Plotts]

I don't know Milwaukie neighborhoods at all so will comment on these communities generally. Many areas in outer Gresham and Troutdale are exposed to wind coming down the Columbia River Gorge. To say it can be very chilly in the winter is putting it mildly.

The only Milwaukie neighborhoods that I am aware of that have had flooding issues are those along the Willamette. Since that is a concern of yours pay a visit to the planning office at the city of Milwaukie. They should have a flood map. "100-year flood plain" is a misnomer, stay well above that level. See if you can get a copy of their flood map.

I think light rail will increase the value of homes in Milwaukie but keep in mind that the politics of Milwaukie is quite different from Portland or Washington County so residents there may not agree with me.

Of the three communities you mention I would prefer Milwaukie.

[EnricoV]

The only areas in Milwaukie you really need to worry about flooding is along Johnson Creek. Kellogg Creek, south of town, has flooded a few times in my lifetime (50+ years ... I grew up near Kellogg Creek).

You're going to get a lot more for your money in Milwaukie, as it's not in Multnomah County. The other two towns you mentioned are.

As for "night life." That's a tough one. While Milwaukie does have a nice little downtown area, and you will find bars/restaurants there, it's not a hotbed of activity. There are places to go, but it's not necessarily in the downtown area. But it's a nice community. The county hasn't been welcoming of light rail, but it should increase values once it arrives. Not sure whether you'll find somewhere near the pub or plaid pantry, but you might if you try. You will find larger lots, though.

[crisw]

You might also want to look a bit south of downtown Milwaukie. There are some nice neighborhoods near McLoughlin, where you can easily walk to some later-night businesses (including pubs and restaurants) and convenience stores. Your price range is a bit low, but do-able if you're not looking for a really big house.