Best Portland neighborhood for family (Beaverton, Hillsboro: best neighborhoods, condo, house)

[arlo]

We are planning on moving to Portland (from Chicago) in the near future. I grew up in PDX, but it has been nearly 20 years since I moved and I need help figuring out where to live. Can you recommend the best neighborhoods that have the following?:

1. Awesome schools
2. Historic homes
3. Within walking distance of both parks and urban area (at least a coffee shop)
4. Lush and green surroundings
5. Hills

Budget is around $700,000-$800,000

Thanks for your help!!!

[nanannie]

I moved to the chicago area from oregeon. To start you off,
I would suggest one of our old 'hoods sounds perfect, the West Hills of Portland.
My kids walked to Ainsworth school, very hilly, amazing views,very lush, old historic (and beautiful) homes, close to the city.


Good Luck with your move, I envy you.

[bledsoe3]

Originally Posted by arlo

We are planning on moving to Portland (from Chicago) in the near future. I grew up in PDX, but it has been nearly 20 years since I moved and I need help figuring out where to live. Can you recommend the best neighborhoods that have the following?:

1. Awesome schools
2. Historic homes
3. Within walking distance of both parks and urban area (at least a coffee shop)
4. Lush and green surroundings
5. Hills

Budget is around $700,000-$800,000

Thanks for your help!!!

Try Ladd's Addition.

Portland Neighborhoods: Ladd's Addition

[ahoffelt]

I would say Portland Heights, Grant Park/Dolph Park, and Alameda neighborhoods. The Grant Park/Dolph Park area doesn't have hills, but has everything else you are looking for.

[Nell Plotts]

I did a quick search on my favorite RE site and found a home in my old neighborhood that is asking at the top of your budget but looks empty: 782 NW POWHATAN TER (97210 zip). There are several around Washington Park, south of Burnside. Also a large condo on Westover Circle is on the market in your price range, the closest to a coffee shop of all I've mentioned. The house offered on Vista is close to the coffee shop at Vista & Spring (I think it is still open).

Chapman, Ainsworth and Alameda schools are still great.

There are some lovely homes on the market in your price range. Please remember that Portland's grand dames need loving care. Know what you are buying.

[stoehrfamily]

I would have to recommend the Alameda/Hollywood/Laurelhurst neighborhoods on the NE side. Admittedly, it can be pricey. But, there are beautiful, historic homes and great schools. Plus, it's easy to bike to just about anything. We've got three kids and I love the fact that our minivan sits in our driveway for days as a time as we bike to the grocery store (Whole foods, TJ's and Freddy's), the library and schools. Plus, there are lots of kids and many quiet streets for them to enjoy.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by stoehrfamily

I would have to recommend the Alameda/Hollywood/Laurelhurst neighborhoods on the NE side. Admittedly, it can be pricey. But, there are beautiful, historic homes and great schools. Plus, it's easy to bike to just about anything. We've got three kids and I love the fact that our minivan sits in our driveway for days as a time as we bike to the grocery store (Whole foods, TJ's and Freddy's), the library and schools. Plus, there are lots of kids and many quiet streets for them to enjoy.

The OP requested hills, thats why the West Hills suggestions.

[carolinajack]

what other hill communities would be good? also, what about beaverton, aloha, hillsboro area? I am moving there in june pending a job interview and hope to live in the western suburbs.

[Nell Plotts]

Beaverton, Aloha and Hillsboro are not hilly (at least in PacNW terms; what we call hills are called mountains in many parts of the country). The "west hills" (hills on the west side of Portland) run north and south so homes on the west side of the west hills might meet your needs. The JLScott RE website has a graphic search feature that uses Google Maps. You can choose the satellite view of the map. [The mention of that website is not intended as a recommendation of the business, only that it is the only site I know of with that feature.]

I would like to sound a cautionary note about hill home sites, a soils engineer report can be a good investment for a new comer. Earthquakes are not the issue, soil saturated by water can be. This is a risk you cannot insure against. The City of Portland is requiring homeowners to disconnect their downspouts from the storm system and use dry wells for rain water catchment. Also there has been a lot of in-fill home construction so that the % of permeable soil has decreased as well as less attractive sites developed. Slides are a very rare event but think like an engineer...