Tigard/Hillsboro Areas (Portland, Beaverton, Aloha: houses, transfer to, neighborhoods)

[v843152]

I am currently looking to transfer to the Tigard/Beaverton/Aloha area and have a couple of ?'s. Is Tigard a good area for walking? In other words, can you walk to downtown or the grocery store easily? What are the "nice" area's to raise a family? Schools, parks and things like that? I don't really have my heart set on that area but from what I read on other posts, Beaverton has too much traffic. I know it's the burb's but I don't want to live a cookie cutter neighborhood either. I'm looking for an area that has a downtown area that you can walk around and run errands or maybe take the kids out for ice cream. I'm also considering Hillsboro as well. My job will bring me to either Tigard or Aloha. Any feedback with greatly help!!! Thanks!

[sofia76]

There are some plans to make downtown Tigard walk-friendly over the next generation, but for the time being, I wouldn't live in Tigard without a car. It could work if you live right off a main road and bus line, but it's not a good area for walking in general unless you want to be "trekking." Tigard is basically suburb. Lots of stores, but they are primarily in strip malls.

[davefr]

IMHO Tigard would be a poor choice. The core downtown area is pretty lackluster and the rest is too stretched out to really walk. Traffic along 99W is terrible.

Beaverton would be a much better choice. Yes there's a lot of traffic but it's no worse then 99W.

Hillsboro has a really nice core downtown area but it's pretty small and consists mostly of small specialty shops and small cafes.

[sofia76]

I agree, Hillsboro would be much better for having a cute downtown with houses in the surrounding areas. It is walkable. You cannot walk ALL of Hillsboro, but there are a few walkable neighborhoods, including the downtown. You can actually get to churches, doctor's offices, city offices, a diner (Old Pharmacy Cafe I think it's called), a small theater, a bookstore, art galleries, a cool indie toy store, an elementary school, etc. They really are missing a good coffee shop down there, but oh well.

[v843152]

Thanks for the info! The other thing I'm worried about is schools as well. Beaverton seems to have the better schools in the area. Does Beaverton have a downtown area as well? Another question I have is how bad the mosquitoes are?

[figmalt]

Beaverton doesn't really have much of a downtown area. That's been an ongoing issue in efforts to "revitalize" the city. You may get specific neighborhoods that are more walkable, or with conveniences nearby, but the city proper doesn't have a real core downtown.

For all the rain we get, there are surprisingly few mosquitos in the Portland area compared to other places I have lived. It's one of the things that I really like about the area -- not a lot of biting insects.

[sofia76]

I've heard various news outlets over the years talk about bad "mosquito seasons" in the Portland metro area but it must be restricted to neighborhoods adjacent to lakes, ponds, or marshy areas because I see fewer mosquitos here than any other place I've visited or lived.

[v843152]

Do houses have basements there?

[BirdInHand]

We moved to Hillsboro several years ago after looking at most of the PDX suburbs. We are really happy here. Feel free to ask me any specific questions.

Our house is near swamp area but we dont notice too many mosquitos.

There were many split level style homes built in the 70's, some houses on the hills here have basements but its not the normal thing.

When comparing traffic and downtown areas, I would say Beaverton and Tigard have about the same desirability. IMO, neither one is what you describe to be looking for.

Downtown Hillsboro has a lot going for it but being on the western side of town will not help your commute to Tigard or Aloha. It is closer to the beach though

[BirdInHand]

We are in the Jackson School area, which is bike riding distance to Downtown, which you see lots of families doing in the summer.

Downtown Hillsboro -
There are many incredible old homes there if you want something 40-80 years old. You have the Walters Cultural Center on Main Street. It has a great website along with Hillsboro Park and Rec. They have classes and activities for kids year 'round as well as concerts, author lectures, art shows etc. Hanks Market is just a couple blocks off Main Street. The Pharmacy has been around since the late 1800's and still has a great soda fountain and lunch counter. Kids love it. MAX train is walking distance also.

Its a fun place to be, especially in the summer when you get the Saturday Farmers Markets, Tuesday Market has classic cars, entertainment, all kinds of craft and food booths. Also, concerts in the shade on the courthouse lawns, ArtWalks with local wine, art and musicians. The Civic Center has water fountains the kids play in and outdoor movies on the Plaza. All this is free. There really is something going on all week long. Also, holiday festivities include tree lighting, hay rides, trick or treat, and a massive 4th of July parade that attracts people from all over.

Celebrate Hillsboro is the annual festival with street sports and lots more. Every year they organize an attempt to get into the Guiness Book, for example one year everyone wore Groucho Marx glasses. Just silly fun for the kids, they are happy just to make into the newspaper.