long, and probably only interesting to me

[2stars4arms]

It rained all weekend long. ALL weekend, and it's still raining. I'm not complaining, I like it. Good thing, since we're going to move to Portland. :D

Comments

[rpeate]

Stalinist hippie!

(as if the two aren't completely exclusive)

[2stars4arms]

Takes one to know one. ;)

[starleigh]

This is interesting to me, as a Portland resident. I will be interested in finding out what area you end up choosing. I, of course, know nothing about how the areas compare in terms of the things that will matter to you (teaching districts etc.). All I really know is what areas I like, and even that is sort of vague because I have only lived in a couple areas. But still! I'm excited to hear about your progress with the move, and if I can be of any help, let me know.

[2stars4arms]

Well of course I'm very interested to hear about the areas you like, and don't like. Any information is good. We're kind of going in blind. When I moved to Los Angeles from Arizona, it was for college. So I lived on campus, no choice in the matter. It wasn't until I had already lived here a few years that I had to decide what part of the city to live in. So even though I've moved to a new state once before, this is actually kind of new to me. No dorm this time! ;)

portland stuff

[starleigh]

When I first moved to Portland, I was living on SE 162nd Ave. I didn't realize how Portland was laid out until I lived here, but basically that means I was 162 blocks from downtown. The river separates east and west, and downtown is pretty much the first several blocks west of the river. So, I was way further away from downtown than I preferred. The lower numbered blocks are generally more desirable (and more expensive). For example, if you look for places in SE, it's going to be harder to find something nice and affordable on SE 15th than SE 125th

Re: portland stuff

[2stars4arms]

That was great, thank you! I'm sure I'll have more questions for you as I do more research.

[certaininsanity]

i'm not terribly familiar with school district information up here, but some of the lower income areas are in North and NE portland (but then you are also close to the airport, so be wary of that). SW is pretty affluent, plus is close to Lake Oswego and not far from the Raleigh Hills area in Beaverton (both are upscale areas). NW is very trendy, very expensive.
the guy i've been dating says he lives in the "hood" but, it isn't that bad. portland really isn't that bad in most places. even the bad places are livable.

http://www.movingtoportland.net/portland_neighborhoods.htm

http://portlandor.about.com/od/movingtoportland/

this site is kinda fun, random photos from different neighborhoods in portland:
http://www.portlandground.com/

[2stars4arms]

awesome, thank you!

[pnwmom]

Those links look awesome! When I lived in Portland in '92-'94, I lived in the Reed-Eastmoreland area, did most of my shopping off Hawthorne, and worked downtown.

My sister is applying to grad school at Portland State and Oregon State (Corvallis), so I'll be spending a bit of time in OR over the next few years. :)

Good luck with the search!

[rpeate]

Robin and I invite you and yours to visit us in Portland.

Portland-talk

[andim]

Check you out! What a great step to take

Re: Portland-talk

[2stars4arms]

You're the second person who said that to me- the no good Mexican food thing!

I think I'll survive. I grew up in Southern Arizona (aka North Mexico ;)) so I think I've had enough Mexican food for one lifetime. Besides, it will make going home to visit the family that much more special. :)

[sinca]

That was all really fascinating!

I'm really excited for you, I hope you get that half price house! I know that when my husband was in the police academy we considered the "Next Door" program too.

[2stars4arms]

That was all really fascinating!

You're totally pulling my leg, right? ;)

Yeah, it's an awesome deal if you can get it.