When it comes to buying a new house and moving, real estate agents like to remind us that we are not just purchasing a house but also the neighborhood. What does this mean? Simply put, if you buy the home of your dreams that’s in an area you don’t really like, you’ll end up regretting your decision. After all, you can upgrade and fix a house, but you can’t change its location, the community’s atmosphere, or your neighbors. That’s why you have to do proper research of the potential neighborhoods before you make any final decisions. Thus, in order to help you, we made this ultimate guide on how to choose the best Portland neighborhood for your family. Let’s check it out!
Think about your budget
This may seem like an obvious step, but many people easily lose sight of their financial limits during the early stages of the home-buying process. That’s why it’s good to hire a broker and a mortgage professional to break down your earnings, so you know exactly how much you can spend. A skilled broker can help you find neighborhoods that fit your budget once you’ve decided on a down payment and purchase price. Here is the list of median house and rent prices in different family-friendly neighborhoods in Portland:
- Nob Hill: $546,000 or $1,741/month
- Pearl District: $702,858 or $1,785/month
- Alameda: $785,713 or $2,462/month
- Sellwood-Moreland: $553,378 or $1,340/month
- Goose Hollow: $419,480 or $1,528/month
Depending on how much money you can spend, these average house and rent prices can help you choose the best neighborhood in Portland for your family. So, be smart and make a calculated decision.
Choose the best Portland neighborhood for your family depending on your lifestyle
Even though there are many family-friendly neighborhoods in Portland, not all of them represent the same lifestyle. For example, some of the areas are known as art districts, while others are great for those who love sports and outdoor activities. So, depending on your family’s needs, make sure to choose the neighborhood in Portland that’s right for your family.
If you’re a fan of movie theaters and your kids love amusement parks, then Sellwood-Moreland is the right neighborhood for you. Goose Hollow houses the city’s professional soccer team – Portland Timbers, the Oregon Zoo, and scenic Japanese Garden. If you have a craft beer bug, you should definitely check out the Pearl District for its famous local breweries.
Don’t forget about your children’s education
If you’re moving to Portland with kids, you should choose a neighborhood with good schools. Luckily, Portland has an excellent educational system, and many family-friendly neighborhoods can pride themselves on excellent schools. You can download the report cards for neighborhood schools from the local school district’s website. This will include demographic data, test scores, and graduation rates for the school. Additionally, you will be able to see what other parents have to say about these schools. This way, you’ll have a good insight into what kind of education these schools offer. This is a crucial step when it comes to choosing the right neighborhood for your family. Here is a list of best school districts in Portland:
- Beaverton School District
- David Douglas School District
- Centennial School District
Choose a neighborhood with low crime rates
When it comes to picking a decent neighborhood, many homebuyers prioritize safety, especially if they’re moving with kids. Nobody wants to move into an area where you can’t walk freely at night or constantly worry about your children being hurt on their way back from school or a friend’s house. That’s why it’s crucial to research current crime rates when choosing the right neighborhood. The good news is Portland is generally considered a safe city, so it won’t be a problem to find a secure, family-friendly neighborhood as well. Eastmoreland, Northwest District, Hillsdale, and Alameda are considered to be one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.
Check out the pride of ownership
When homeowners in a neighborhood genuinely care about their homes and community, it shows — and it makes the neighborhood a better place to live. A neighborhood that belongs to an HOA, for example, is more likely to maintain a constant appearance because homeowners must adhere to HOA rules. However, if you desire greater freedom with your home, an overly restrictive HOA may not be the best option.
So, when you take a stroll down the potential neighborhood, make sure to check out the general situation of said area. Simply talking to people and asking what they appreciate about the community can reveal whether or not they are proud to call it home. Take a peek at how much time and money they’re putting into their homes. Well-kept homes with well-maintained lawns are a hint that your prospective neighbors are concerned about their properties (and will expect the same from you). After all, everybody wants to live in a neighborhood where people are investing in their community.
Hire a reliable moving company for your long-distance move
Every type of relocation is a demanding and stressful task, especially a long-distance move with your kids. So, if you’re moving to Portland from another part of Oregon, you’ll definitely need some professional help.
Once you find your dream home in the right neighborhood in Portland, don’t hesitate to hire a moving company and arrange your relocation. Long-distance moving experts can help you settle in Portland stress-free and make this process as smooth as possible. You won’t have to worry about anything, from packing to settling in your new home. Your only job is to fill out a couple of forms and look forward to your new life in Portland. Sounds easy, right?
Are you ready to make the choice?As you can see, when it comes to choosing the right neighborhood for you and your family, you have to factor in many things – crime rates, quality of schools, your budget, the lifestyle you want to lead, etc. That’s why reading this article can be extremely helpful. After gathering all this information, we’re confident you’ll make the right decision and choose the best Portland neighborhood for your family. Good luck!