Moving to Portland/Vancouver Area. Suggestions?

Planning on moving the family from Alaska in a few short years and we have more or less decided on someplace within close proximity to the Portland/Vancouver area.

To skip the income tax, we were thinking Washington, though Beaverton/Hillsboro sound pretty good.

Any suggestions out there? Want to stay resonable close to the city, like 50 miles or less. Somewhere good for family, schools, low crime rate, etc.

 

Hey! Don't think you'll get much of a response here. Ask in this thread..more activity from local guys.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/north-west/129798-oregon-washington-bs-thread.html

 

I live in the Tualatin area, not much crime (I've never seen any) lots of things to do around here close enough to downtown. Love it here.

 

Wow, are those Tundra wheels on your truck or old school Taco rims? And what color are they? They almost look goldish, bronze. Looks bad ass!

EDIT
Oh and I've lived in Beaverton for 13 years now and haven't seen a crime.

 

Just moved from there this summer thanks to the Coast Guard but the Salmon Creek, Hazel Dell area of Vancouver is really nice. Great schools, everything is close and Portland is 15 minutes across the bridge. Traffic can be a bugger across the I5 bridge sometimes but wife loved the area. Ross Pacific was the rental agency we went through. Hope that helps.

Shane

 

I've already spent a few months there off and on for work there on the Vancouver side of the Columbia. I'm really digging the whole area....that is except for the rain.

I guess I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck, but still be reasonably close to Portland since the wife will more than likely be commuting there for work

 

Thanks! I pulled them off a Special Edition Sequoia so I would say Special Edition Silver? I haven't powdered coated them of anything.

 

If you are looking on the Oregon side I would suggest Corbet or Mollala are viable alternatives with lots of off road close by. If you are moving to Vancouver I would suggest Brush Prairie or Battleground.

 

Stay out of Multnomah County (PDX), taxes will eat you alive. I just paid $150 for the privilege of re-registering my 4runner in Mult Co. A lot of other little taxes, too. Other areas around MultCo are a lot easier on taxes..... and closer to trails. In town your only real option for a trail is an alley
We all look forward to having you down here and, bring a rain coat.

 

I've lived just south of Portland for many years. Raised my family here. If I were to do it over, I would live on the Washington side and commute to Portland. I think the Vancouver area schools are better. You can always do your shopping in Oregon and avoid the Washington sales tax.

You will be happy wherever you decide, it's a nice area with lots to do.

 

Justin - I would look at Battleground in Clark County, WA. 10 miles east of I-5, 11 miles north of Portland. Nice place - Much growth in last 5 years. Woodland, in Cowlitz County, WA. 21 miles north of Portland. The Lewis river runs through it and it is bordered on west with the columbia river. I'm a Sergeant with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office so if you find a specific place, let me know. Hillsboro and Beaverton have major rush hour issues.

Joe

 

Cowlitz county is the best place to live in the area! Beaverton traffic is nuts all day long and not worth it unless you live out here. Washougal is also at the top of my list and only 10 miles from the airport. Welcome to the area!

 

Ditto on Washougal. They are fixing(?) SR14 with roundabouts and wider bridges. Should be done in a year. It gets a little backed up on rush hours, but it's pretty laid back.

 

FYI I heard recently that the Columbia I-5 bridge might turn back into a toll bridge (it received approval). Read more here

http://www.kgw.com/news/Tolls-for-Columbia-River-Crossing-Closer--139407533.html

 

Salmon Creek has a very good new hospital (Peace Health) and I understand Kaiser is about to build one there too. St John's hospital in Longview is questionable, at best. I just had hip surgery which I elected to have done in Sunnyside (Clackamas Co) Oregon. The hour drive was better than rolling the dice at St Johns. I don't know anyone that would recommend them. Many cop vests have "IF YOU CAN READ THIS - LIFE FLIGHT ME TO EMANUEL" written on them. They are one of the best trauma hospitals in the US. My 2 cents. Joe