PDX Neighborhood Help (Portland: condo, sex offenders, crime)

[diggz50]

My family is considering moving to PDX and need help from some locals. We currently live in South MPLS and visited PDX a couple of summers ago. PDX in our minds is a lot like MPLS with the upgrade in climate and nature. Were looking for a walkable/bikeable area with a good walkscore that is not already outrageously expensive. Our budget tops out around 400K. We are used to living in the grid, so SE looked comfortable for us. Whats the up-and-coming SE neighborhoods that are not too expensive...yet...and still convenient (we only have 1 car). If we can't find that combo, then we will stay in MPLS, buy more long-underwear, and retire earlier.

Thanks,

[oregonwoodsmoke]

There are no desirable, walkable, convenient neighborhoods, up and coming or not, that are cheap.

[patches403]

How many bedrooms/baths do you need and are you fine with a fixer? There are few choices period under $400k in desirable, walk-able, convenient neighborhoods. The few choices available are all older homes on small lots that need work, are under 1,400 sq ft, mostly only have two bedrooms and few have more than one bathroom. If this type of a home is okay for you, and you can make a 100% cash offer with no contingencies, then you might be able to find something under $400k in close-in PDX. Everything in desirable close-in neighborhoods even halfway decent in this price range sells within days for above asking and there are generally multiple offers on every property.

IMO, unless you have a $150k+ job offer waiting for you in Portland, stay in Minneapolis.

[VelouriaPDX]

If a one or two-bedroom condo will suit you, you could find something with your budget in inner SE.

[S550]

Gateway area is close to downtown and going to boom soon would be a good start

[Nell Plotts]

Gateway close to downtown???? I think not.

[VelouriaPDX]

Isn't Gateway a higher crime area with failing schools? I could see buying in an area like that before having kids and crossing fingers the neighborhood turns around. But once kids are in the mix (for me) even a tiny place in a safe area would be preferable. OP said "family" so I'm guessing that includes kids.

[pdxmilw]

Woodstock is nice and 400K should still get you a decent house there. Woodstock has a library, several grocery stores, a farmer's market and lots of restaurants.
Even Sellwood ( a bit closer in) still has some houses at 400K although just barely, and they are generally small or serious fixers.

[VelouriaPDX]

Originally Posted by pdxmilw

Woodstock is nice and 400K should still get you a decent house there. Woodstock has a library, several grocery stores, a farmer's market and lots of restaurants.
Even Sellwood ( a bit closer in) still has some houses at 400K although just barely.

The only areas of Woodstock that seem nice are the areas that are assigned to Woodstock Elementary and those listings are sparse and start around $550,000+. Anywhere much further south of Woodstock always feels weird and a little sketchy to me. Lots of "roads not improved," no sidewalks, more sex offenders, and chained up dogs .

ETA: I went back and looked again online and take back a bit of what I said. The areas that are assigned to Lewis Elementary are probably nice.

[S550]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Gateway close to downtown???? I think not.

It's a 10 min freeway ride and only 4 max stops to Lloyd Center