Beauty of Portland for Family Tour (Beaverton, Hillsboro: houses, high school, college)

[mida68]

I'm trying to sell my family on relocating from So. Cal to Portland. Out of 4 of us, two really want to go, one is pretty sure and one is not. I want to take a trip in June and take a boat tour along the river(s). Any suggestions? I have two teenage daughters, one will love the skyline, the other will be impressed with falls and nature.

Any other must-see areas of Portland? Any quaint/artsy areas of town for fun shopping (not upscale designer stuff, more like coffee-shops, book stores, crafts, etc..)

Thank you!!

[pdwpdx]

Take a cruise on the Portland Spirit or ride the OMSI speedboats. Go to Alberta street or Hawthorne boulevard for shopping.

[AndyAMG]

It's probably not as amazing as you think it will be. The Portland Spirit gives you a great view of industrial complexes, sewage plants, gravel quarries, freeway bridges, paper mills and Dunthorpe Mega mansions. The falls is actually pretty ugly at the end of the journey but there is a plan to restore it over the next decade.

If you want natural beauty, I suggest: The old gorge highway, Silver Falls State Park near Silverton and Ecola State Park on the coast.

The only thing I believe is artsy and quaint is Saturday Market under the Burnside bridge. But it's all a matter of opinion.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Who is the one who doesn't want to move to Portland? If it is your spouse, you can turn your life into misery by living with spouse who didn't want to move and doesn't want to be there.

[mida68]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Who is the one who doesn't want to move to Portland? If it is your spouse, you can turn your life into misery by living with spouse who didn't want to move and doesn't want to be there.

It's my youngest daughter because of high school friends but honestly she doesn't do that much with them other than play online games which she can do anywhere! My spouse has to be 100% on-board, lol!

She likes ranch-style life and I'm sure there will be much for her to enjoy since we have relatives in Hillsboro and up in Pullman, WA.

[mida68]

Originally Posted by AndyAMG

It's probably not as amazing as you think it will be. The Portland Spirit gives you a great view of industrial complexes, sewage plants, gravel quarries, freeway bridges, paper mills and Dunthorpe Mega mansions. The falls is actually pretty ugly at the end of the journey but there is a plan to restore it over the next decade.

If you want natural beauty, I suggest: The old gorge highway, Silver Falls State Park near Silverton and Ecola State Park on the coast.

The only thing I believe is artsy and quaint is Saturday Market under the Burnside bridge. But it's all a matter of opinion.

Wow, sounds awful, lol! Maybe a night trip would be better to see the skylights. Anyhow, I'll make a note of old gorge highway and Silver Falls. We currently live near Lake Elsinore, not sure if you are familiar with the "Inland Empire" down in So. Cal. It's a lot of scrub-brush hills (if you are lucky) most are just piles of rocks and dirt. Very little green or water, the lake itself is pretty foul, IMHO. It's all about motocross and other things we we don't relate to in this part of So. Cal. If we could live on the beach, great, but we don't have $700K for an average size house.

We lean "left" and at the moment we are pretty much in the bible-belt "Texas" of So. Cal. It's a great place for many who can relate and raise their families. We moved here to be near family for support when the kids were babies and have been stuck ever since.

I'd like to get out of here before I'm 50 if possible. I've lived in No. Cal. and enjoyed it aside from the high-cost of living and even there thought it could be more wet, cold and green! I'm ready for PNW living! Need to be near a big city for jobs and kids college choices. Portland seems like the best choice.

We'll probably end up in Beaverton or Hillsboro. I can't stop dreaming of pine trees, coffee houses and fewer white SUVs and trucks with dirt bikes in tow with "Not of This World" and stick families on the back window, lol! We are taking a trip to make sure dreams match reality in June.

Thanks!!!

[Nell Plotts]

Friends are very important for high school students, is there any possibility of your waiting until she is through with that stage of her life?

[SETabor]

IMO, the jet boats give a better tour than the Spirit. The Spirit is overpriced with bad food. The jet boats are fun and fast but hope it is a warm day as you will get wet. I saw a sturgeon break the surface on a trip and that was incredible.

As far artsy/quaint - Saturday market is a good choice as would be the farmer's market (more food, less crafts). Also, you can head to NW 23rd or SE Hawthorne if it's not the weekend.

[Nell Plotts]

I agree that the jet boats are more in keeping with the spirit of Portland. They leave by OMSI and a ride is guarinteed to get you wet!!

[lovelysky]

Friends are important but so is positioning your family for opportunities that align with your future goals. On a partly sunny day���� I like to park near OMSI and walk across the Tilikum pedestrian bridge and go down toward the food carts and hop on a round trip ride on the Tram then walk back to the food carts for a snack.. Also head toward downtown and go into Powells Bookstore. Ask for a map of their bookstore. Check out Blue Star donuts then Voodoo donuts. Decide which one is better. Drive up to the Pittock Mansion and walk around the gardens and see the spectacular view from there. Make sure you get a good view of Mt Hood and Mt Saint Helens!
We moved four kids, 2 in HS mid year to Oregon not too long ago. We survived! It wasn't easy. There's a lot to do here and the kids will transition and continue to play online with their old friends while making new connections. Find a good high school with lots of clubs. Good luck!