I have convinced my company that I need training and the class happens to be located in Seattle. To take advantage of the trip my wife is going to fly out an meet me to explore the area a bit. We are searching for a place to move next year when my step-son graduates high school and have decided to check out the Portland area.
My question is 2 fold, what are some good areas to visit the last week of July, I have heard it's a good time to go to Mt. Rainier but what else is good this time of the year?
Secondly any suggestions on what areas of Portland that we should look at? Any we should avoid?
Martin, Two very broad questions. What kind of work do you do may be helpfull in what area to look at to live in Portland (or Vancouver, WA). Others here will tell you which areas are perfect in late July, but so many places within 3 HRs. of portland are going to impress you that I would leave "perfect" for when you move here and try to visit many spots for general location with this trip. You may LOVE the gorge and want to live on the east side , or for a 1+ Hr advantage for the coast, live on the west side. What kind of time do you have to explore while you are here? Just my opinion.
...or you can be greedy, like me, and live at the very center of town, with easy access in all directions! Portland, proper, is a very nice city to live in - especially if you like maintaining an old, broken-down house...
I've lived here my entire life, and in July and August the ONLY place I go is above timberline in the High Cascades - Mount Hood, above all, but also St. Helens, Adams and Jefferson. All are within 2-3 hours of Portland. The best wildflower hikes on Mt. Hood are on the north side - Elk Cove is heavenly at that time, but there are many other spots that are similarly full of wildflowers and glacier views.
As was pointed out in another thread, the Gorge is a bit disappointing in summer - our Mediterranean climate browns out the mosses and sunnier slopes, and the waterfalls are at their lowest flows of the year in July, August and September. October is a different story in the Gorge - a rival to Spring in terms of color and waterfall scenery.
Will you be working from home? Where is the office located and how far do you want to commute? Do you want to live in town, out of town, way out of town, do you want acreage...? Can I think of any more questions with which to answer your question?
Bird Creek Meadows on the Yakima Indian Reservation half of Mt Adams (East side) is gorgeous in the summer.
I live in the Sellwood / Eastmoreland area with a 6 year old daughter. I have a recording studio in my house and I'm 10 min from Downtown, 35 min from the Columbia River Gorge and 90 min. from Ecola State Park. It's quite and safe for the most part. I'd be cautious about living past NE or SE 60th since from there to Gresham there has been more crime and more drug/gang related issues.
Living in Portland is a heck of a lot more expensive compared to living to the West (Beaverton) or South outside of Multnomah county. They clobber you with taxes here that are not found outside of this county. Lots of people opt to live in the Vancouver WA area because the taxes are so different. They drive into Portland to shop (no sales tax) and live in WA where property and individual taxes are quite different.
As others have said, the upper mountains are where to go in July or August. However, if you are in Seattle, you should consider a trip West to the Olympic national park. Get lodging in Forks, WA and stay for 2 or 3 days so that you can drive S to the Rainforests, hit the beaches (DON'T miss Second Beach which is just outside of La Push - this beach just opened up a few months ago after being closed for 1.5 years) and drive N to hit the Hurricane ridge - do some hiking and you'll find awesome mountain views with wildflowers.
Send email if you need further info and have a nice trip
I want to thank everyone for getting back with me so quickly. I know there is a lot to see within a 2 hour drive and I really appreciate all of you taking the time.
We have a short list of places we are thinking of moving to but we can only afford to spend a few days at each. Getting this local knowledge will help us enormously during our brief visit.
Discussion
6 repliesMy question is 2 fold, what are some good areas to visit the last week of July, I have heard it's a good time to go to Mt. Rainier but what else is good this time of the year?
Secondly any suggestions on what areas of Portland that we should look at? Any we should avoid?
Any input is extremely appreciated.
I've lived here my entire life, and in July and August the ONLY place I go is above timberline in the High Cascades - Mount Hood, above all, but also St. Helens, Adams and Jefferson. All are within 2-3 hours of Portland. The best wildflower hikes on Mt. Hood are on the north side - Elk Cove is heavenly at that time, but there are many other spots that are similarly full of wildflowers and glacier views.
As was pointed out in another thread, the Gorge is a bit disappointing in summer - our Mediterranean climate browns out the mosses and sunnier slopes, and the waterfalls are at their lowest flows of the year in July, August and September. October is a different story in the Gorge - a rival to Spring in terms of color and waterfall scenery.
Enjoy your trip!
Tom
-Tom
Bird Creek Meadows on the Yakima Indian Reservation half of Mt Adams (East side) is gorgeous in the summer.
Check you email & give me a call.
JG
Living in Portland is a heck of a lot more expensive compared to living to the West (Beaverton) or South outside of Multnomah county. They clobber you with taxes here that are not found outside of this county. Lots of people opt to live in the Vancouver WA area because the taxes are so different. They drive into Portland to shop (no sales tax) and live in WA where property and individual taxes are quite different.
As others have said, the upper mountains are where to go in July or August. However, if you are in Seattle, you should consider a trip West to the Olympic national park. Get lodging in Forks, WA and stay for 2 or 3 days so that you can drive S to the Rainforests, hit the beaches (DON'T miss Second Beach which is just outside of La Push - this beach just opened up a few months ago after being closed for 1.5 years) and drive N to hit the Hurricane ridge - do some hiking and you'll find awesome mountain views with wildflowers.
Send email if you need further info and have a nice trip
We have a short list of places we are thinking of moving to but we can only afford to spend a few days at each. Getting this local knowledge will help us enormously during our brief visit.