Moving to Portland for work. Where to live?

[katchup]

Hey guys, so I'm getting a promotion and relocating from boise to Portland. We currently own a house in boise and I'm looking at renting in the Portland area for at least a year before buying again. I've visited the area a couple times but always to explore the city. I'm curious if any of you have input on where I should look? I have to find a place in the next 30 days.

Requirements:
1700+ square feet.
2 car garage(I'm rewarding myself with an f80 and it needs to stay dry lol).
Somewhere safe for my wife and daughter(she's too young for school).
Dog friendly.
Around $2500 a month ideally.
Somewhat newer area with maybe a mall nearby for the wife.

So this eliminates the actual city. I've been looking at Beaverton, Tigard and Sherwood. I will travel all over the state for work so it doesn't matter really as long as I'm somewhat near Portland. Any feedback on the cities I listed? Any other great cities?

Thanks!!

[Bonzer103]

I think you are right to look at the neighborhoods south of the city. I relocated here 3 years ago from Texas and with wife being a school teacher we did our due diligence. There is safety in living in these towns because financially the budgets have less risk and more under control. Portland proper seem to be fighting cuts and have school crowding/closings. We ended up in West Linn mainly due to school review vs cost of living (Lake Oswego also great schools but the most expensive zip code to live in in Oregon). West Linn shares a school district with Wilsonville which I would say would be my top pick if looking again. Great schools, great little town, quickly accessible to any of the metro areas and the beautiful countryside. Sherwood is good value and good schools, but you are literally locked in by only two main roads that are nightmares with traffic. Great neighborhood, but be ready to be claustrophobic. After living here, I would definitely raise my interest in Tigard or Tualatin. Both good schools and good neighborhoods with nice accessibility. Tigard will feel a little older than Tualatin. Beaverton doesn't excite me too much. I know they've had school budget issues in the past, but appears to be a decent school system. What works against it is the traffic on the main arteries that dissect it, but it does have great accessibility to the cool south Portland neighborhoods and beautiful areas if close to City Park. Just my $.02. Good luck

[katchup]

Hey I really appreciate the feedback! I think Tigard will be on the top of my list, I have heard nothing but positive things about it. And thanks for the feedback on Sherwood, that's exactly what I wanted to hear and will drop it on my list.

[Bonzer103]

Your welcome. If you need a realtor happy to make a referral.

[F83]

Vancouver WA, cross a bridge and save state income tax. Well, if you commute at off typical hours anyway.

[Bonzer103]

Word of advice, hold off on any major purchases because the no sales Tax in Oregon is pretty significant on big ticket items (i.e. cars)

[katchup]

haha yea I plan on getting the f80 when I arrive for this purpose!

And we thought about Vancouver, but ive heard the commute is a nightmare, and combined with that you have to pay sales tax on an 80k car it didn't make sense for me.

[dv8pdx]

Originally Posted by F83

Vancouver WA, cross a bridge and save state income tax. Well, if you commute at off typical hours anyway.

You still pay some state income taxes if you work in oregon, because your income is from oregon, not washington. And you also get taxed on houses and cars for washington residents, even if you buy the car in oregon. And the commute to vancouver during rush hour is rediculous via I-5 or 205. Off by 5 home by 7. Lol

[dv8pdx]

Look at Gresham, Fairview or Wood village. I bought a 2000sq ft house with double deep garage (4 cars) brand new construction paid under $300k. Same house inner portland, $400-$700k. Takes me 11 minutes to get home from downtown on 84 at rush hour. Plus if the freeway is backed up, 17 other main roads into downtown. Tigard, Beaverton or Vancouver not really any options with traffic. And rents are drastically less out here then anywhere else in the Portland area. Rent is insane inner Portland/Beaverton areas.

[pdx_m3r]

I relocated here from Boston and ended up in King City which is between Tigard and Tualatin. It's a great neighborhood but Tigard is locked in off of hwy 99. I would consider Tualatin if I could do it again.

[katchup]

Originally Posted by pdx_m3r

I relocated here from Boston and ended up in King City which is between Tigard and Tualatin. It's a great neighborhood but Tigard is locked in off of hwy 99. I would consider Tualatin if I could do it again.

So funny you say that, the house on top of our list is in King City.

[katchup]

Originally Posted by dv8pdx

Look at Gresham, Fairview or Wood village. I bought a 2000sq ft house with double deep garage (4 cars) brand new construction paid under $300k. Same house inner portland, $400-$700k. Takes me 11 minutes to get home from downtown on 84 at rush hour. Plus if the freeway is backed up, 17 other main roads into downtown. Tigard, Beaverton or Vancouver not really any options with traffic. And rents are drastically less out here then anywhere else in the Portland area. Rent is insane inner Portland/Beaverton areas.

What area are you in exactly? ive heard stay far away from Gresham.

[dv8pdx]

Everyone has always said gresham is bad. I believed that too until I started looking out here and its beautiful. Scenic views, beautiful homes, gorgeous cars. Although my M4 does turn heads out here. Its still growing. I live near wood village, fairview area so its very nice. And there is everything out here within minutes in any direction. Taxes are still cheap. Big homes are still affordable. I looked at Tigard Tualitan Sherwood Beaverton. All of those places have nice spots but there is just so many people the traffic is horrible. If you have to deal with I-5 or highway 26, be ready for long commutes. My commute is 8 minutes from almost downtown. 17 when traffic is crazy, which is rare. Yeah we have some sketchy pockets but so does every area in every city. My friend lives in tigard and he says he always hears police sirens. Ive been here a year at this place and never hear them and only seen one car pulled over by Gresham or Fairview police. Now yes my timing may be off when it happens, but I drive a lot in the area. Now in inner Portland, cops with lights flashing is a daily thing. Not playing salesman, but give it a look. Price, travel convenience, ammenities, beautiful views. Its worth checking out. Just my little input. Fairview or wood village, around gresham. You might be surprised.

[katchup]

Very good points and exactly what I was wanting to hear. Thank you!

[Bonzer103]

Agree with dv8pdx. There are older parts of Gresham that you may want to avoid, but there are nice areas as well. Location to the Gorge is spectacular if you like the outdoors. I actually live in West Linn which I think is ideal for beauty, location, schools, but the payback is the higher property and city taxes that threaten a budget. Might be worth looking at as an option. Otherwise would also look at Wilsonville in addition to the Gresham area. Good luck

[rph_gunner]

Have you considered living out in Clackamas/Happy Valley or even up sunnyside road in the newly developed area around the clackamas/damascus border? About a 10min. drive down sunnyside to both the i205 freeway output and Clackamas Town Center mall. Crime rate is very low out in the clackamas area compared to rest of Portland.

[katchup]

Originally Posted by rph_gunner

Have you considered living out in Clackamas/Happy Valley or even up sunnyside road in the newly developed area around the clackamas/damascus border? About a 10min. drive down sunnyside to both the i205 freeway output and Clackamas Town Center mall. Crime rate is very low out in the clackamas area compared to rest of Portland.

I'll look into it. Thanks man

[vvnguyen1981]

Originally Posted by rph_gunner

Have you considered living out in Clackamas/Happy Valley or even up sunnyside road in the newly developed area around the clackamas/damascus border? About a 10min. drive down sunnyside to both the i205 freeway output and Clackamas Town Center mall. Crime rate is very low out in the clackamas area compared to rest of Portland.

I agree with this guy. I moved to the Clackamas area in 2008 from WI. Been in Happy Valley since 2011. Great place! Good school district. Your M3/M4 will blend right in. I rarely get any stares while driving around in my white M4.

[katchup]

Thanks guys!

Side note do any of you DD your cars? I was dead set on buying a 6mt, but since it will be my DD I'm curious if a DCT is better in traffic?

Ive owned both DCT and 6mt in the e92 m3's. Got really bored with the DCT in my e92.

[vvnguyen1981]

This is not my DD. I do own a 6-speed! I can't speak about daily rush hour traffic in my M4 but when I do get caught in it, it rarely bothers me. My 6-speed makes me feel way more connected to the car. My personal opinion.

[Wildcatcott]

Originally Posted by katchup

Thanks guys!

Side note do any of you DD your cars? I was dead set on buying a 6mt, but since it will be my DD I'm curious if a DCT is better in traffic?

Ive owned both DCT and 6mt in the e92 m3's. Got really bored with the DCT in my e92.

I have a 6MT in Seattle. This was my first one in about 5 years and I must say I don't regret the decision at all. I use it as a DD 18k miles a year, I am all over the place for work. I am really happy with it.

[dv8pdx]

Originally Posted by katchup

Thanks guys!

Side note do any of you DD your cars? I was dead set on buying a 6mt, but since it will be my DD I'm curious if a DCT is better in traffic?

Ive owned both DCT and 6mt in the e92 m3's. Got really bored with the DCT in my e92.

My M4 has been my DD until recently due to unexpected and unusual snow that has lasted a week so Ive been in the Tacoma, but when it melts I will be back in the M, which is a DCT and Im so happy to have here in PDX. I personally just love the DCT, but you could live very happily with the 6MT here.