Portland suburbs - where and housing (Beaverton, Hillsboro: low income, house, employment)

[chanel9]

Hello all,

I plan on moving my family (myself, my mother, and five adopted kids) to Oregon within 6 months. So far I've found that the suburbs around Portland seems the most viable for me but I haven't decided where is the best. Hillsboro and Beaverton look lovely! As the kids are school age it'd be best to be in an area with a decent elementary school community.

We are a definite low income family at moment, at least until I can be hired - I work in the medical field.

Does anyone have advice on the housing situation there? I've looked up the average cost to buy a house and it is more than where I'm living at the moment which is southern Utah.

I'm Native American and should be eligible for housing through local tribes. I'd like to apply asap for any low income housing that may be available until we're established. Does anyone know what tribes are in the area and who would be viable to apply for. As far as I know the Siletz tribe only lets their tribe members apply.

Thanks for any help!

[Nell Plotts]

Low-income housing is in short (almost no) supply. Finding a place to live without a job offer in hand will be difficult. I recommend you wait until you have a job. Contact the Indian Health Service, they may give you hiring preference. Also, apply at the VA.

The local Indian Health Service staff may also know of tribal services that help with housing. You mention that you are currently in southern Utah. If you are LDS contact their social services office for leads.

[texasdiver]

I have absolutely zero idea of how these things work, but the Cowlitz Tribe in La Center WA (30 min north of Portland) just built a massive casino with plans for further expansion. They probably have as many resources as any of the area area tribes due to the casino money and I see various medical field jobs on their web site: https://www.cowlitz.org/

I seriously doubt you'll find any sort of low income tribal housing of any sort in affluent suburbs like Beaverton. It tends to be much further out on rural reservations, to the extent that it exists.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by chanel9

I'm Native American and should be eligible for housing through local tribes. I'd like to apply asap for any low income housing that may be available until we're established. Does anyone know what tribes are in the area and who would be viable to apply for. As far as I know the Siletz tribe only lets their tribe members apply.

Thanks for any help!

That's pretty much how it is with all of them.

Look here for government programs that may be of use to you:

OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS

https://www.hud.gov/codetalk

Best of luck.

[chanel9]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

That's pretty much how it is with all of them.

Look here for government programs that may be of use to you:

OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS

https://www.hud.gov/codetalk

Best of luck.

The tribes here allow non-members to apply for housing so long as one of the household is a member of a recognized tribe. I was just hoping there'd be something similar there but I'm not counting on it.

On another note, how is the commute from the suburbs into Portland? In consideration of busy traffic, is it generally around an hour's time?

[Nell Plotts]

Basically, employees should live on the same side of the river (be it the Willamette or Columbia) that they work. The commute traffic here is beastly. Health care professionals usually have shifts that don't match up with the worst of the commute hours. My daughter lives in the silicon valley, our traffic isn't as bad as hers but close. I won't let my husband drive there if I can prevent it.

Most of the health care employers, be they Providence, Legacy, Kaiser, OHSU, VA, have facilities around the metro area.

First, nail the job.

Housing here is expensive. You may need to live in suburban communities such as Scappoose or north in Clark County WA to find a suitable rental.

[fortunatus]

So true about Silicon Valley traffic. I saw worse only in SF and LA.

OP, perhaps Hillsboro (downtown or further west) might be an option. Commute to downtown would be within 1 hour in the worst of traffic, I would imagine.

[StealthRabbit]

1) Why Oregon? (Washington is 5 min away and may have some low income assistance (Less competition) / NA opportunities / school advantages (and is income tax free if working and living there)
https://www.washingtontribes.org/

2) If mandatory Oregon (Hillsboro / Beaverton / Aloha is good location for family / but not inexpensive)
https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ABOUTDHS/...es/Tribes.aspx
near Portland
https://warmsprings-nsn.gov/

near Roseburg, nice community, better weather, lower costs than Portland Metro (VA Medical would be good employment)
https://www.cowcreek.com/

Medical Employment in Portland area is vast, the most favorable employers seem to be Adventist Medical, (VA (for benefits) if you can handy it (inept bosses)). I have several friends who work for OHSU (they are not very pleased with employment or commute)

Kaiser has huge staff in the area (Portland and Vancouver, WA) Small VA operation in Vancouver, WA

I suggest keeping your commute very short (walk to work). Thus find the job first (before seeking housing)

I would probably first exhaust all areas outside of Portland metro (expensive, competitive, challenging with families)

and... don't forget to look into opportunities in Washington.

very nice regions:
Vancouver / Camas (10 min to Portland)
Olympia (State gov jobs)
Bremerton / Silverdale (VA / military / good hospitals)
Tri Cites / Walla Walla / Spokane (better climate, likely good NA infrastructure)

Northern ID is also a very good choice for NA centric assistance. (very nice quality of life in ID)
(look at Coeur d' alene and Sandpoint)
https://idahgp.genealogyvillage.com/...ry/Tribes.html
http://www.nezperce.org/
http://www.cdatribe-nsn.gov/
http://www.kootenai.org/main.html

[Nell Plotts]

I concur with the suggestion that you include SW Washington on your job search. Don't let the lack of income tax be a determining factor - to deliver services you will be taxed one way or the other. What you will avoid if you work and live in SW WA is a beastly commute. Kaiser and Legacy have staff in SW WA, as someone mentioned VA has a small presence (nursing home).

[Hawk J]

The good folks at the Roseburg, Oregon VA Hospital have been caring for my medical needs since 1990.


https://www.roseburg.va.gov/


Best of luck to y'all finding your place...