On the conservative side family...good areas to look into (Portland: homes, neighborhoods)

[Shebo]

My husband got a job in Beaverton and we'll be relocating very soon. I used to live in Beaverton for quite a few years, but was single and living a different life. We have 3 young kiddos and live more on the conservative side, but don't shove our beliefs down anyone's throats. We are more of a "Live and let live" type of folk. However, we like to attend a Protestant church and are looking for a community that is safe, family-oriented, and a good place to raise kiddos.

I'm not really sure what areas of Portland/Vancouver might be a good fit for us. My hubby is willing to commute if we find the right area. We live upper middle class right now in Cali and could swing that in Portland, if not a bit higher.

Any leads/ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure I've cast a wide net, so I would appreciate any input.

Cheers! She

[hamellr]

Work in Beaverton, live in Beaverton. No one here cares what your views are, as long as you don't try to convert anyone, or shove them down their throat.

[Nell Plotts]

+ hamellr

Broaden your search N, S, W of Beaverton (no need to commute over the west hills).

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Work in Beaverton, live in Beaverton. No one here cares what your views are, as long as you don't try to convert anyone, or shove them down their throat.

That is what I was thinking, there isn't really any political districts in the metro. Live where you like the most, preferably closer to work to cut down on your daily commute, politics should be an issue with this decision.

[Nell Plotts]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

That is what I was thinking, there isn't really any political districts in the metro. Live where you like the most, preferably closer to work to cut down on your daily commute, politics should be an issue with this decision.

I think you meant to say 'politics shouldn't be an issue with this decision.'

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

I think you meant to say 'politics shouldn't be an issue with this decision.'

Haha, that is correct, it should be shouldn't. The joy of using the internet on my phone.

[jjpop]

Don't focus on "conservative" areas, focus on the schools. When I did the research, I found the best schools were in the Lake Oswego SD and the West Linn-Wilsonville SD. Sounds like you can probably afford to live there.

You'll find most people have a "live and let live" attitude here, regardless of whether they are pot smokers or church goers (or pot-smoking church goers).

[EnricoV]

I agree with jjpop on the areas that would best suit you. One proviso is that there aren't really any malls in that area. You'd have to travel to them (either east to Clackamas Town Center or west to Washington Square). But then, the areas where there are malls, aren't necessarily the most up-scale.

[The Cactus Leaguer]

Originally Posted by Shebo

My husband got a job in Beaverton and we'll be relocating very soon. I used to live in Beaverton for quite a few years, but was single and living a different life. We have 3 young kiddos and live more on the conservative side, but don't shove our beliefs down anyone's throats. We are more of a "Live and let live" type of folk. However, we like to attend a Protestant church and are looking for a community that is safe, family-oriented, and a good place to raise kiddos.

I'm not really sure what areas of Portland/Vancouver might be a good fit for us. My hubby is willing to commute if we find the right area. We live upper middle class right now in Cali and could swing that in Portland, if not a bit higher.

Any leads/ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure I've cast a wide net, so I would appreciate any input.

Cheers! She

Here are some good options based on your criteria, and proximity to Beaverton:

1. At or near the Bethany area (generally north of US 26, east of 185th, west of Murray Blvd)
2. Murray Hill/Progress Ridge/Bull Mountain area (generally within a 2-3 mile radius of the Progress Ridge and/or Murray Hill shopping center, near the intersection of Murray Road and Scholls Ferry Road)
3. Peterkort/West Hills/Forest Heights - north of 26, within 2-3 miles radius of St. Vincent's Hospital
4. City of Lake Oswego.

If you want to cast a bit wider net, you can look in many neighborhoods in the city of West Linn. There is also good/very good neighborhoods in Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Hillsboro, and Wilsonville, and inner southwest Portland.

Beyond that, you might be getting out of your personal comfort zone, meaning any combination of excessive commute time or too Portlandia-ish for what you are looking for.

There are also plenty of churches on the westside that are Protestant, moderate to conservative, service-oriented, and evangelical-but-not-in-your-face-about-it.

Also, I agree with the above posters, there are plenty of libertarian-ish conservatives (i.e. "live and let live") and you'll be fine on that front.

Good luck on your search and welcome!

[Oh-Happy-Day]

I too am on the conservative side and transplanted from So Cal in 2007. I am not going to compare the two locations as they are completely day and night. There are so many great things about this area of the country and I still feel it is a fairly good place to raise a family, but things are changing. Traffic is getting to be a bear, so my suggestion is to live close to hubby work. That will save a lot of headache. I currently live in Damascus out in the East county, but I own a home in Hillsboro and lived there for many years. As with any city there are good areas and not so good areas. I would stay away from the downtown areas and live in the outskirts. I think the area of Bethany and up near St Vincent hospital is a good choice. Also Tannesborn area is a cute area near lots of shopping and close to zoo and Childrens Portland Museum and a great Hillsboro library that was just recently expanded. I actually homeschool my kids, so I dont have to think about schools, but I hear the schools in that area are good. Portland itself is very Liberal, but I do think prople dont judge too much if you are conservative. But downtown Portland can be eye opening.