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Couple of questions for Mcminnville mamas??

post #1 of 8
12/6/09 at 12:22pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone! My dh, ds, and I are relocating to Oregon so dh can start school at Western Culinary Institute. We like Mcminnville so far but I've got a few questions. First, I've read on some of the city data posts that crime is becoming an issue. Others say it's nothing. Any thoughts? Second, is it realistic to think that dh can travel into Portland for classes? Is public transportation an option? We were hoping to find a spot that has its own vibe vs. a suburb of Portland. We like the idea of being in close proximity to the city but really aren't city types. We liked Mcminnville b/c of the buy local, strong community, small city we've read about. I've read all the related posts, but hope some of you would share your thoughts?? Thank you!!

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post #2 of 8
12/9/09 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mum-ma View Post
Hi everyone! My dh, ds, and I are relocating to Oregon so dh can start school at Western Culinary Institute. We like Mcminnville so far but I've got a few questions. First, I've read on some of the city data posts that crime is becoming an issue. Others say it's nothing. Any thoughts? Second, is it realistic to think that dh can travel into Portland for classes? Is public transportation an option? We were hoping to find a spot that has its own vibe vs. a suburb of Portland. We like the idea of being in close proximity to the city but really aren't city types. We liked Mcminnville b/c of the buy local, strong community, small city we've read about. I've read all the related posts, but hope some of you would share your thoughts?? Thank you!!
i have a friend who moved there a couple of years ago so we go down quite a bit. i don't think crime is any worse than any other similar type place.

i would NOT want to commute into portland from there though. at all. it's a long drive in a car and i don't even know if it is possible on public transportation. 99W is notoriously congested through Dundee, so much so that ODOT is planning construction of a new bypass called the Newberg-Dundee Bypass to skip the congested area. even living in Newberg would save you 25 minutes commute time and has a similar small town feel.
post #3 of 8
12/10/09 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 
I thought it may be an issue. Thanks. I'll check into Newburg and some other areas closer to the city!!
post #4 of 8
12/15/09 at 9:49pm
Sorry to get to this thread so late. I live in Willamina but have lived in McMinnville most of my life and have lived in Newberg as well. If you have any questions feel free to pm.
post #5 of 8
12/29/09 at 6:48pm
I lived in McMinnville for four years, and I rather enjoyed it there (live in Eugene now and LOVE it in Eugene!!!), but I think the commute to Portland would get very hard and very old very quickly! The traffic and congestion on 99W can get quite bad.
If you want to stay on the West side of Portland, I second the suggestion to look into Newberg. If you are open to location, I have heard great things about the Southeast side of Portland.
post #6 of 8
12/30/09 at 11:23pm
Thread Starter 
We've been looking at Newberg and Forest Grove. What are each like? We'd like something w/ a community feel, bit o' crunch, open minded folks. A little info about us...AP, exclusive BF, family bed, baby wearing, live simply, no vax, bed at 9, hikers, mtn. bikers, ocean lovers...hence finding a place on the westside of PDX....All that said, are there any places closer to the city that don't "feel City"?? Newberg, Forest Grove??? Where on the SE side? Any other suggestions??? Thanks!!
post #7 of 8
1/9/10 at 4:47pm
First of all, home is where you hang your hat. I'm utterly convinced you can make where ever you choose to live a happy place. I'm a crunchy, extended breastfeeding, babywearing, simple living mama in Willamina which is a po-dunk lumber town. Yet I'm very happy.

That being said: Other than being near PDX, Newberg doesn't really meet your criteria. It's really not crunchy. It's really not a close knit town. It's just kind of "there" if that makes sense. It has George Fox which is a very ultra conservative religious college. Parts of the town have the same feel. This may appeal to some and may turn off others. There is a lot of wineries in this area and other parts of the town are trying to be upbeat and trendy with the wine industry. Hiking and Mountain biking opportunities are great in that area though. My hubby loved to bike to PDX when he lived there.

I do have a little pang of love for Newberg though. I was a volunteer firefighter there and met my DH. I always get a little joyful feeling in my heart when we drive through. Just like anywhere there are good people and bad people.
post #8 of 8
1/15/10 at 8:35pm
it is true. there are a lot more babywearing, familybed-sleeping, extended-breastfeeding mamas in SE portland than in newberg. most of oregon outside of the cities of portland and eugene is pretty conservative and old school. SE portland is funky and fun. youthful. crunchy. most of SW is not as much like that. multnomah village is a little enclave and obviously there are going to be crunchy people scattered here and there in all cities. but the newspaper here is even joking that babies are the new accessory because so many people are wearing them

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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Welcome to Mothering! › Finding Your Tribe › Tribal Areas › Washington, Oregon, Idaho › Couple of questions for Mcminnville mamas??