Anyone "nearish" to Portland? Advice Appreciated

[Nik]

We will be moving to the Portland area (ie within an hour of Portland anywhere including Southern Washington). Does anyone have any recommendation as to good versus bad areas? We prefer not to be in the middle of the city but want to stay nearish for work reasons.

If you know of specific (ie dangerous, yucky, bad) areas to avoid that would be much appreciated.

 

[Boxergirl]

I can't help you at all, Nik, but I wanted to wish you the best of luck with the move. Please keep us updated on how everything is going and how you're all doing with the change.

 

[Nik]

I can't help you at all, Nik, but I wanted to wish you the best of luck with the move. Please keep us updated on how everything is going and how you're all doing with the change.

Will do! We are planning the move for end of February/early March... just in time for our anniversary. We will start off renting until we can put together the down payment for a place there... we are hoping to buy within a year of the move or less (fingers crossed on that one). But, we are specifically only looking to rent houses with yards until that time (who of course accept pets and specifically large dogs). Happily for what we pay here it looks like we can get what we want there (prices are 1/3 of what they are in the Bay Area). But, honestly I am just itching to own something of our own so that I can feel safe and settled again. Nothing in life is guaranteed but as much of a safety net as I can create for myself I will.

 

[DennasMom]

Nearish-ish... I'm in the Seattle are and have friends and family in the Vancouver, WA area.
Washington does not have Income Tax... Oregon does not have Sales Tax... so a lot of people live in WA but work/shop in OR. That does lead to nasty traffic on the bridges across the Columbia River, though... almost constantly....

My cousin lives about 1/2 mile from the Vancouver Mall. There are some nice older neighborhoods back there... your traditional ranch house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms in 1500-1800 sqft. And that's about the extent of my knowledge of the area.
But... Versus the Bay Area? Vancouver should be CHEAP - alternatively, you can get a mansion there for the price of 1 bedroom condo in SFO!

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Blessings on your move and your forever home for you and the pups. I'm sure you'll land on both two and four feet and all will go very well.

I'm pulling for you in the heavenly regions...

Hugs,

E.

 

[Nik]

Nearish-ish... I'm in the Seattle are and have friends and family in the Vancouver, WA area.
Washington does not have Income Tax... Oregon does not have Sales Tax... so a lot of people live in WA but work/shop in OR. That does lead to nasty traffic on the bridges across the Columbia River, though... almost constantly....

My cousin lives about 1/2 mile from the Vancouver Mall. There are some nice older neighborhoods back there... your traditional ranch house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms in 1500-1800 sqft. And that's about the extent of my knowledge of the area.
But... Versus the Bay Area? Vancouver should be CHEAP - alternatively, you can get a mansion there for the price of 1 bedroom condo in SFO!

We were actually looking a lot at Vancouver because the cost seems a little better than Portland and the property taxes seem much better as well.

I was warned of the “bad”’part of portland which I am told is just south of the river. So we are avoiding that area but all else that is near the vicinity we are exploring.

And compared to bay area yes vancouver is blessedly cheap!

 

[Nik]

Blessings on your move and your forever home for you and the pups. I'm sure you'll land on both two and four feet and all will go very well.

I'm pulling for you in the heavenly regions...

Hugs,

E.

Thanks! It is a scary time and I am trying to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel which my husband assures me is not the light of an oncoming train.