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How could one of the most beautiful areas not make it on the Top 100 places to live?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

I love Oregon, I have lived here all but two years of my life and I'm not sure college really counts since my laundry was still coming home on the weekends. But, how could Tigard or Beaverton not make the top 100 of best places to live?

Both are absolutely beautiful. There are parks, bike paths, and shopping. We have everything thing here you could possibly want. Is it because we are too close to Portland? Have we gotten Portland's bad rap, because when someone asks where we are from we answer "Just outside Portland"?

Greenway Park photo by Todd Clark - Realtor

Portland has high taxes, homelessness, and government policies that I would think even a five year should know are stupid and take away from the livability of the city. Raising taxes on businesses and then not protecting them from protestors and then when they leave you complain that you have less money for schools? Protesters and the homeless generally don't pay taxes, so helping them to make your city a better place isn't the smartest corner to stand in during a fight.

 

Schools in Beaverton and Oregon are some of the best in the country and even their sports programs are second to none as far as I'm concerned. (I seemed to have turned out all right.) Do I still have an issue with schools and their political views and what they are teaching our children? You bet I do, but that is why I home school. But, if your kids do have to go to public school, then there are no better schools. (My brother is a teacher in Tigard, so I may be biased.)

So, please, to you out there that are looking at the best cities to live in around the United States, please don't include us as part of Portland. We don't. Maybe you can reconsider Beaverton or Tigard and if you need to have someone show you around and show you why we should be in the Top 100, give me a call, I would love to take around our beautiful cities here in Washington County.

 

Comments(8)

Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Todd- Well, when my brother tells me that he pays more in property taxes than his monthly mortage payment, I can see why many people choose to live in Vancouver Washington and drive to Portland to go to work every day.
Don't get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE West Oregon. ( Do not live East Oregon though) But the government leaves a lot to be desired. I am too conservative for Oregons' politics:) Of course nothing can be as bad in that regard as California right now.

Dec 29, 2008 05:23 PM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Hmmm very interesting.........so what are the top 100 I wonder.....Well Oregon is one of my favorite places in the Whole World........so I'd like to know who was doing that study ! :-)

Dec 29, 2008 06:42 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Todd... I love Oregon. I travel western Oregon quite a lot for work. St Helens, Scappoose, Portland, Beaverton, Willamette Valley, Roseburg, Astoria, Coos Bay, Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland. Some of the prettiest country I've ever seen, and some of the friendliest people I've ever met. Maybe it's a secret best well kept. (Not too secret, of course.)

Dec 29, 2008 07:47 PM
Harold "Hal" Place
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL

Morning Todd,

I too enjoy visiting Oregon, it is beautiful to say the least. It would be interesting to know what criteria the powers to be used.

Dec 29, 2008 11:33 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

you know, todd, i have ALWAYS wanted to visit Oregon!  when i do finally get there i am coming to YOUR area!  You make it sound so wonderful!

Dec 30, 2008 12:03 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

It's always good to separate yourself from the rif raff.  I was just in Bend about 2 months ago.  I forgot how nice it is out there.

Dec 30, 2008 01:04 AM
Fred Chamberlin
Guild Mortgage Co - Oak Harbor WA - Oak Harbor, WA
Oak Harbor/Whidbeynulls, #1 Experienced FHA Mortgage Consultant

Todd - I live just outside of Portland too, 120 miles or so, and understand your concerns. I think Oregon is a great place to live and I will have to take Katerina to task on Eastern Oregon. The whole state is outstanding. Politics.....well, I will leave that for another post.

Dec 30, 2008 04:14 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

Hey, Todd.

The answer is real easy: Either they didn't pay enough to be listed or they didn't buy enough advertising.

Many years ago when Fargo, North Dakota, was declared the nation's city, it turned out that they had bought the #1 listing.

I put very little stock in such listings, although I realize that lots of dummies do. Perhaps "Top Places to Live for Dummies" might be a better of those lists -- LOL.

Best wishes for health, happiness, peace, and prosperity in 2009.

Dec 30, 2008 01:49 PM