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In beautiful Oregon, the referral fee is also negotiable....let's discuss it sometime when the need arises. Thank you! - Sat Jan 19 2008, 20:43

Hi Erick! This question is pretty old so I will keep it short, but let me know if you would like anymore info about this area. The Whole Foods is open, and you are right in that you would have everything at your disposal if you lived in the Hollywood area. There's pubs, the newisn 24 Hour Fitness, the light rail station to downtown etc.

I found a few listings that you might be interested in - there is a new condo conversion building with 7 units left and it is absolutely gorgeous! I can send you the listing if you give me your email...these are not going to last, the model home online is amazing.

(bamboo floors, walnut cab's, slab kit & bath, slate showers, granite showers, ALL apps including washer dryer and Bosch dw, new electric, roofs,gutters, vinyl wnds.)

Good Luck!
Kathryn - Sun Jan 13 2008, 22:40

Sorry, I forgot to mention that there are many nice suburbs for young families - including Lake Oswego (high end), Tualatin, Wilsonville and Beaverton/Aloha. All have their pros and cons, let me know if you would like to hear more about them! - Sun Jan 13 2008, 21:38

Hi S - Forest Grove has some great properties available right now, and it sounds like a great community to live in, but if you are commuting far, don't be fooled by the distance on the map. Commuting into downtown IS easy by train, but it's still about an hour train ride from the Beaverton transit center. (If you take the train in Chicago, this might seem like nothing to you?) Travel on Hwy 26 is often a bearcat, getting in traffic jams even on the weekends.

I held an open house in Forest Grove a few weeks ago for one of my team leader's listings and this house is great. It had the most gorgeous pine (?) floors, great room, huge granite island and a huge property around it. http://www.mlsfinder.com/or_rmls/tedimcknight/index.cfm?acti…

Sherwood is another growing suburb (recently listed in the Best Cities to live list- Forbes?). It does not have access to a light rail train system yet, but they are working on getting the traffic situation settled because it has seen such growth over the past couple years. It's a great town with a small town feel and nice people and decent home prices - there are a lot of new communities with cute townhomes and single family homes. They also have a nice city center with a new library, new restaurants etc and the Oregon wine country starts just south of there.

Please let me know if you need any other information, I'm here to help!
Kathryn - Sun Jan 13 2008, 21:33

Hi Erick - Portland is still top 3 in terms of growth and continuing price appreciation BUT the good news for buyers is that there is a good amount of inventory out there and condos are appreciating much less than single family homes.

Lake Oswego is a great area and a prime location for many reasons, some of them being the schools; the reputation for it's shops, restaurants and nightlife; and of course the summer recreation on the lake. I have noticed lower to moderately priced LO 2 bedroom condos for sale and I held an open house at one a few weeks ago - but I'm not sure if they are still available. There are also some condo conversions down on the eastern lakeshore, but they were selling quickly last I looked. One thing to caution is that I've seen reports on condos close to the lake having mold problems.

Away from the lake, Mt. Park north of LO downtown has many condos, usually there's a good supply to choose from. You'd have a great view and also, most condo HOAs over there give you access to the Mt. Park Rec Center, if that appeals to you.

Prices in areas of LO will vary greatly so it will depend on what you are looking to spend? Please let me know if I can assist you in any way! Good luck in your search. - Sun Jan 13 2008, 21:19

Hello! Since you probably will not be traveling at peak hours, I would also recommend Vancouver - there is quite a scene starting in the downtown including a new-ish martini bar, restaurants, movie theatres etc. Your dollar will definitely stretch further there! Please let me know if I can help you in any other way.

There are many, here's a few:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/rfs/536913337.html (low HOA!)
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/rfs/536958895.html

There's also many options out in SE past 82nd:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/rfs/537806198.html

Good Luck in your search - and at school!
Kathryn - Sun Jan 13 2008, 20:59