Riding areas in portland oregon... other than the willamette

jvanick

My boss wants me to relocate to the portland oregon area... I travel out there about once a month now, but have never really investigated anything outside of the downtown area.

So, for all you northwesters out there...

If I was to move to portland, where would be some good places to look at houses that are near water... like 15 or 20 minutes tops to a ramp.
(Maybe redland/oregon city area?)

Is there other, better places to ride than the poop river?

I'm looking for a bit of land so I can have a shop, if that matters at all...

Any ideas?

-J

Zach M · Posted: Apr 01, 2003 12:08 pm Post subject:

you could live in the lake oswego area, but that lake sucks. Its man made, and the sides of the lake are concrete walls so the wake just bounces off. After one boat drives around, its crappy the rest of the day.

I don't know what you have against the willamette. Thats the only place I ride except for when we go on a trip. We ride off the Charbonneau exit along that stretch. Its some of the best water around.

jvanick · Posted: Apr 01, 2003 12:12 pm Post subject:

Zach,
I don't have anything against the willamette, just curious about other possible areas... Oh, and if anybody had ideas on where to look for houses.

(Oh, and I'm a bit concerned about the polution too... but after riding on the Fox River in Illinois, the willamette is pristine and clean Smile

)

-J

Todd Armstrong · Addict Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 758 City: Battle Ground

The Willamette is clearn above the Falls in Oregon City. I live in Battle Ground about 40 min North of P-town. We got Merwin, LaCamas and the whole Columbia River. Oregon is a crappy state to live in if you have kids that like an education. Check out Vancouver/Camas/Battle Ground across the river, thats what i did 10 years ago. We got a sales tax but our property tax is about 60% of Oregons

jvanick · Posted: Apr 01, 2003 2:01 pm Post subject:

Todd: How far are those lakes from that area? If I end up moving, I'd like some place that I can hit on a regular basis right after work.

Also, what are property values like in those areas?

-J

Todd Armstrong · Addict Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 758 City: Battle Ground

No matter were you live in Portland Metro you are 20 min or less from a good riding spot. All depend on prop value. Their are good and bad. Your best bet is SW Washington for value

otiswunguy · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 871 City: Sammamish

south west washington? are you serious? i d avoid anything south of olympia in washington. way to many hill billies. there isn't sh t to do there. portland is a way better place to live and as far as value goes, thing are good everywhere due to the economy. do you guys get t.v. in battle ground. j\k todd. hows the temp in the columbia right now? thats what i thought? when you get out in four more months, let me know if it is as warm as sammamish was last weekend.

wake152 · Posted: Apr 03, 2003 12:40 am Post subject:

dude email me ill hook u up with hella spots that are pretty tight, but they are farther south like eugene area. but if you ever need a ride man just email me ill take ya out

jvanick · Posted: Apr 03, 2003 7:49 am Post subject:

Since my job would be in Oregon, I'm probably going to try to stay in oregon rather than moving up to Washington... Isn't there like a 8.something sales tax in washington?

After talking with some of the people I work with, I'm thinking about looking in the Milwaukee area, or maybe out towards redneckville (redland/oregon city area)???

Comments?

-J

JD · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 320 City: Bellingham

Todd,
You have got to be kidding Battle Ground, Camas, those places all suck. have you ever smelled Camas what a $&^$hole. I would go for a place in Oregon. One good thing is Washington may have sales tax but no income tax.

wake100 · Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 15

J-

Good to hear there are other midwesterners heading to the Portland area. I went from WI to MA and now to OR this August and I am also looking for a place to live, ride, etc. From reading the posts someone mentioned sh tty education systems out that way, my wife is a teacher, anyone have any suggestions on good school districts. Enough about that, riding is whats important here! Have the choice of living in Seattle or Portland or pretty much anywhere in between. Any suggestions for good area to ride, mtb, etc....

Thanks...

Todd Armstrong · Addict Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 758 City: Battle Ground

My wife is a teacher fro Evergreen SD in Vancouver. No open teaching jobs in Portland and the ones there that come open suck.

JD, I love living in Battle Ground it is great good lakes all over and just 30 minutes to Portland for salestax free shoping and great bars. I don't have to deal with a buch of Canadians too, j/k .I 've been to Bellingham a few times and you couldn't pay me to live there. To each his own. I would not live in Camas on the South end down by the Paper Mill but on the north side is great alot of mutimillionare and a few Portland TrailBlazers live over in Camas.

wake100 · Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 15

Hows the teaching market in Seattle, Vancouver, Battle Ground. I've always heard good things about Seattle, Hows the weather, cost of living, etc. compared to Portland. Whats Battle Ground like, how big of a town is it, do most residents have a high percentage of their teeth. The sh thole town Im in is filled with toothless Irishmen who love to fight.... Talk about a blind move, don't want to make the same mistake. thanks for the info.....

JD · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 320 City: Bellingham

Todd,
I grew up down that way and lived in San Diego let me tell you that Bellingham is one of the nicer places I have ever lived. 2 lakes within 15 minutes of my house and 4 more within a hour I am in heaven. Don't be scared of the Canadians there nice people.

Todd Armstrong · Addict Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 758 City: Battle Ground

You were the one who was talking crap about SW washington. I got 8 get different bodys off water that all are great with in 40 mins of me. My choice is Lake Merwin about 25 min. North of Battle Ground. Battel Ground is great I lived in Portland for my first 14 years and it sucks living there. I lived in Vancouver for 7 and I looked everywhere all over Portland Metro/SW washington to buy my 1st house and BG is the best alround. I like Portland but I would not live dpown there, a 30 minite drive makes for a much better living.Our city water is crappy but I work for Arrowhead so I don't give a crap.

PS most of the the people were I live have good teeth, and all of our teeth

Option · Posted: Apr 07, 2003 8:37 am Post subject:

For all of you people who hate SW Washington, feel free to stay away Smile

We like our clean lakes. I wouldn't wakeboard in the Willamette for anything.

Zach M · Posted: Apr 07, 2003 12:38 pm Post subject:

the willamette is clean where I ride. You've gotta just go upriver a little ways. Outside of wilsonville it's great.

Todd Armstrong · Addict Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 758 City: Battle Ground

Like I said the Willamette is fine south of the Falls in Oregon City