What do you think about Tigard and Tualatin?

hurricanekeri

My husband and I made our first trip up to the Portland area to look at rentals, schools, and check out the transportation system. We want to get everything in order before we move in June. The three places we looked at where in Tigard or Tualatin. What do you think about these areas? We have a max rent of 750 budgeted at this point and need a garage available (my husband's work requires tools). Also, we prefer to be in an kid friendly area (we plan on starting a family after we move).    Please tell me what you think of Tigard and Tualatin.

estherandgeoff2

We live in Tigard, but near Washington Square so not too far away from Portland. I like living there. The only drawback I see to living there is that you're not part of the Portland parks & recreation and also not part of the Tualatin Parks and recreation. Using pools in those districts is outrageously expensive for out-of-district residents, so if you like to go swimming with the kids that is one thing to keep in mind.

The schools tend to be pretty good though, or so I've heard. 

I would also check out Beaverton. 

zelda25

I've lived in Tualatin and liked it, although there's been a LOT of commercial development since I lived there and I suspect it's not as sleepy as it once was.  I think you'll be challenged to find a rental with a garage at or below $750 in either city, but they're both nice enough.

hurricanekeri

zelda25:

I've lived in Tualatin and liked it, although there's been a LOT of commercial development since I lived there and I suspect it's not as sleepy as it once was.  I think you'll be challenged to find a rental with a garage at or below $750 in either city, but they're both nice enough.

   We have found some apartments that rent out garages for extra and the extra cost of garage I am not adding to rent place, when I say 750. I forgot it mention that... ooops  yes both cities seem to be very busy. ty

hurricanekeri

estherandgeoff2:

We live in Tigard, but near Washington Square so not too far away from Portland. I like living there. The only drawback I see to living there is that you're not part of the Portland parks & recreation and also not part of the Tualatin Parks and recreation. Using pools in those districts is outrageously expensive for out-of-district residents, so if you like to go swimming with the kids that is one thing to keep in mind.

The schools tend to be pretty good though, or so I've heard. 

I would also check out Beaverton. 

I didn't think about the parks and recreation. We have the same problem where we at now because we live out of district and I love to swim. So, there are on pools in Tigard?

kimby8804

We are in Beaverton, but my husband works in Tigard.  We LOVE Beaverton.  We feel safe, and our rent is about $750, plus we are right by a public pool.    There are a lot of kids in our neighborhood that are always outside playing.  Also, I am pretty sure Beaverton got voted one of the safest cities in the NW.  It might be worth looking into Beaverton, and it is still in the same area.  Hope that helps

estherandgeoff2

The only pool in Tigard is at Tigard high school. We went there once but the water is colder than most other public pools bc it's not designed as a kid's pool. It's basically just a lap pool that's open to the public. We usually go to the Southwest Community Center pool but that's $6.50 per adult, although pools in the Tualatin P&R charge $10.50 per adult for out-of-district residents, which I think is ridiculous. Plus their in-district fee is only $3.00.

KatelynS07

I prefer Tualatin over Tigard, personally. I lived in Tualatin for about 2 years and worked over by Bridgeport. We just moved from there this past June. FI still works over there and we are in the area frequently. They have a pretty good school system and a lot of really interesting classes as well as good sports teams at the high school. FI and his two siblings went/are going through the school system there (his sister is a senior this year). His family lives near the high school and I like the layout of Tualatin.

It has become more developed, but there are a lot of wonderful areas to rent. Your price range will fit right in there, you just need to be willing to look.

It is a great location because you are fifteen minutes from downtown Portland, a couple miles from 217, and five minutes from I5 and I205.

hurricanekeri

Thank you for all the information. One thing I thought was funny, was that I was getting bent out of shape because of the public pools. Then my husband reminded me that everything we looked at so far  came with a pool.

estherandgeoff2

Yea but most apartment complexes come with an outdoor pool so you'd only use that a few times during the summer. I like to take my daughter regularly even in winter so she doesn't get scared in the water. But if that's not a big concern for you, then it doesn't really matter where you live. 

Even though we technically live in Tigard we live so close to 217 that it's almost Portland. One thing to consider is where you'll be working. If you have to drive to downtown, 99W is often very congested in the mornings, so if you're further out in Tigard you'll have to deal with that. I-5 N is pretty slow too as is 217 N. But it's all relative and it doesn't bother me as much.  

hurricanekeri

I do not drive much do to my RA but, my husband does. We hope to take public transportation as much as we can.

MeganJBear

My hubby and I live in Tigard with our 2 year old and LOVE it.  Its so safe, easy to get to grocery stores, and just a nice place to live.  I work in Portland so I do have a commute, but to me its not that bad.  Every day when I get home I always think, ahhh, home at last.

MrsBigTime

A little off topic, but speaking of pools, if you drive all the way to the SWCC, you should check out Wilson High School's pool. I don't know the exact price, but I don't think it's super spendy, plus, it's big and has a kiddy pool and bigger pool plus a swirly slide.

heidi.leonard

Ok, so I live in Hillsboro and primarily stay on the west side for entertainment,shopping etc. We love it. We both lived in Portland and worked downtown prior to getting married. Then moved to Hillsboro for work. It's so fun being closer to the coast and discovering things outside portland.

hurricanekeri

How far is the coast from the west side of Portland?

DramaGeek

Depends on where you live and to which beach you're going.  I live in SE Portland; it's about 2 hours from my house to Tillamook.  It'd probably be 90 minutes from Sunset High School, which is right on the edge of Portland/Beaverton.