Thinking of taking a job in the Hillsboro/Portland area (neighborhoods, live in)

[Ddwayne41]

hey how's everyone doing today? I'm just trying to get a little bit more information about the Portland area and what better way to that then from the people that live there right. Basically the run down about me i'm 24 prior service Marine from Chicago originally currently live in Missouri and hate it. I have the opportunity to take a Job out in Hillsboro, I have an education i'm not just trying to get away from mommy and daddy, just trying to move to a new area and get some new experiences because lifes an adventure and I want to have fun on it. So any information you guys can give me will be much appreciated thank you.

[SETabor]

You're young and don't have anything tying you down, why not take the job? Promise to give yourself at least 6 months at the new place. If you hate it, then you will know some more things to narrow down the ideal place for you.

[Nell Plotts]

Heck, I was a little younger than you when I got a job offer in NYC Metro and jumped on it.

Just Do It!

[hamellr]

Go for it! The hardest part is getting the job lined up. That's 90% of the work done right there!

[EnricoV]

Definitely go for it. Hillsboro is an affordable area, so finding reasonably priced housing shouldn't be a problem. It's definitely the suburbs of Portland, so you won't have the "downtown" feel. However, you're an easy MAX ride away from downtown, for better entertainment options.

Portland's a great place for an adventure. It's not the big city of Chicago, but for a young person, there is plenty to do ... both indoors and out.

Is there anything in particular you want to know about?

[bler144]

'Suburb' may be misleading in some respects. It's basically an older stand-alone town and ag area that is being steadily absorbed by development.

But Hillsboro is a broad piece of turf. It has a viable old downtown of its own, elsewhere a mix of trendy development (Orenco or Tanasbourne), box stores and more typical suburban developments, and even some remaining farmland. There are older blue collar neighborhoods, and newish developments swarming with Intel engys.

It's got fairly easy access to the coast/coastal range, and getting to downtown Pdx off-peak is generally pretty easy. If you don't mind a 1h commute, you could even live in downtown Pdx and commute out, though I don't recommend it.

If you ride a motorcycle there are some truly great rides out that way. I personally like Hillsboro quite a bit, and would prefer to be back over there than on the east side. But it is a lot of places in one, and you'll see some posters who are only familiar with one aspect of it.

But I agree with Enrico, if you tell us a bit more about what you're looking for (personal life, housing, etc.) it will be easier for us to comment on whether the things Hillsboro (or the area) have to offer are a viable match.

[yamsnno]

Please spend time in Portland before deciding. It's not for everyone. There are some nice things, but I know other mid-westerners who moved to Portland and were in for a culture shock. Just spend time first, maybe you will like it. It's not for me to say, but you also may want to read the way people from the area reply to some of the other posts on here. Just trying got help.

[Nell Plotts]

No community is "right" for everyone. Yes, Portland is different culturally from many mid-westerners but that could be said for mid-westerners moving within that region.

In today's economy a good job is gold. Unless the 'culture' is so offensive that you are inclined to flee I suggest you take the opportunity offered and give it a try. I would say the same if the job were in Texas or the SE where the 'culture' is typically different than what is comfortable for me.

A job is just that. It is not a marriage. If you don't like the job or the community move on.