Gresham or Beaverton ??

Gresham is not that great and the schools aren't either. Clackamas county has the best schools in the area. Beaverton is pretty far from Gresham and I don't know much about Beaverton schools. Portland schools are no that great, but I think there are a few gems if you look hard enough. Anyway, we just moved to the North Clackamas school district because most of the schools get A's in testing. Also, the 205 freeway drops you pretty close to Gresham from the Clackamas area.

Well I have lived here all my life but in many locations: Gresham, benifits are traffic lite in town close to Mt hood community college,close to Mt hood for skiing etc. camping, Schools are excellent also, you might also consider Troutdale, which borderes Gresham there schools are even better then Gresham and Beaverton they have many public charter schools available. Beaverton is nice too, it is close to downtown if that is were you will be working however traffic on 26 is aweful and beware of 217 also very heavy traffic, we live in Troutdale my husband commutes to Downtown Portland everyday it takes 45 minutes in rush hour, from downtown portland to beaverton (1/2 the distance) will take you the same amount of time or more. It just depends on if you want to be in a dense populated high traffic area, versus light traffic, not as dense populated however still plenty of people. Three areas to avoid 181st area (rockwood) in portland, North Portland, se portland, these areas are all high crime areas and schools are no good. Good luck with moving. Let me know if you want any other information. Both beaverton and gresham have Max Light Rail (Trimet) which is a high speed commuter train which runs to downtown so you have a choice to drive! Clackamas would be a good middle point possible to check out also they are right by clackamas town center about 20 min from gresham and 25-30 min from beaverton.

If you ever feel like visiting his kids without an hour drive I'd choose Gresham. We live in Gresham and rarely venture over to Beaverton unless we are headed to the beach! it is just to much of a drive. they are really pretty far apart. We love Gresham, everything we need is here and we don't really have to venture far away for things unless we are looking for a oriental store, then we go into Portland. I-84 and I-5 and HWY 26 connect Gresham to Beaverton.. that's pretty far even during the middle of the day. I had the carpets cleaned and the guy was late he said it took him 2 1/2 hours to ge here from Beaverton at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

I vote for Gresham! We live in a great neighborhood near Butler Creek Elmentry. It's a great place to raise kids. Safe and beautiful too!

Beaverton for sure. We use to live there. The schools are great, they have wonderful community centers (Tualitan Valley Parks adn Recs has great programs and it's cost value is great.) Everything you need is in Beaverton. We didn't see a lot of crime where we lived (Alan and Murry area)The schools were great. I had four kids that did well, you've got Washington Square which is the best mall, your closer to the beach than Gresham (smile). Yes, the traffic does suck I won't lie but if you time it properly meaning don't visit his kids durring rush hour) you'll be just fine. I drove from Beaverton to Vancouver every day for work and it only takes about 20 minutes without traffic. I'd say it might take 25 minutes to go to Gresham depending on which part. Sure you can get in bad traffic anywhere you just never know. However it'd probably be nice to be a little further away from the ex especially if their relationship is not the best? You could always meet somewhere in the middle to pick up the kids. You should think about having your sister around too cause when you move to a new area you will need a little bit of support, and it might be nice having someone you know around to help you get wher you need to go. Whatever you do, don't go to Portland schools. NO good! GOod luck

My kids are 12, 10 & 9 and North Clackamas School District is the best! Even when we had to temporarily move out of the district due to a layoff I commuted my kids back and forth and caused a $250 fuel bill every month! Milwaukie, Clackamas and parts of Gladstone (but not much) is all part of that district and is a good 1/2 way point to both B-town and Gresham. (BTW- I would never live in Gresham again. I went to schools in that area and would never send my kids there, especially now!)

Hi R.,

My family and I really enjoy the Vancouver area, just across the brige from Portland. It is not as busy on that side, still busy at times not like Portland though. We feel like it is a very family friendly area and a great place to raise kids. Our boys play football and love it. They are in the Evergreen school district. My husband took a job in Portland, but it is worth the 20 minute drive to work to live in a great area. I will say, I am a Real Estate Agent so I can help you buy a home in the Vancouver area when you get that far, but this response is not about that it is about advising you and your family. My sister lived in Aloha and Beaverton at one point for about 10 years and was happy to move out of the area. Portland is pretty and as in most places there are some nice things about visiting and nice areas to live in you just need to do your homework.
Ask people about Vancouver. If you do want to know more about this area please feel free to call me anytime. ###-###-####. On my website I have a link at the bottom of my website that you can use to compare schools anywhere. Portland or Vancouver, etc. johnlscott.com/kellyfortenberry
That way you can checkout all the schools in Portland before making a decision.
I have to take my son over to Hillsboro to see his dad and it is still worth us living out of Portland and just taking him over there and getting to live in Vancouver. Sometimes they meet us in the middle.
I hope this helps and don't worry I am not a pushy sales person.
Have a great day!
K.

The town in the middle is Portland. :)

Beaverton.
If I had to choose...it would be Beaverton. Traffic is the downside..but the schools are good. With Nike, there is a good Tax base so the schools reap the benefits. Also Gresham is a bit more strip mally while Beaverton seems more neighborhood-y :-). Plus I'd choose sister over my mans ex-wife. Just my two cents. You know there are more than just those two options. There are wonderful neighborhoods all over the Portland area. Check out these two links..they might be usefull to you. Good luck.

www.movingtoportland.net/portland_neighborhoods.htm

www.portlandneighborhood.com