Forest Grove, OR! Is it really just an extended subdivision of Portland or is it a little more "natural" ?

Answer 1

Actually I was there a couple of years ago and looked at buying a home in Forest Grove.

The town is it's own unique village. There is a major street that comes from the West suburbs of Portland (can't remember the name) and ends in Forest Grove that is a major street for business'. When you get into Forest Grove, you would not even think you were near a major city.

There are many businesses there that are privately owned, not chains. And if you travel a mile or more North, South, or West, you are in farmland. The town is really a small town with the convenience of being near a large city.

There is Pacific university in the middle of the town, but it is not a college town per se. Yes there are students, but it is a small town. The college's main major it optomology and health services.

They are building subdivisions there, but due to land regulations in Oregon, farmland cannot be sold to developers because you want to. Development is keep in check.

I also like the fact that homes were more affordable.

Check out the stats here:
http://www.ci.forest-grove.or.us/Snapshot.html#Facts%20&%20Figures

If you do go for a visit, I stayed here:
http://www.thegrandlodge.com/index.php?loc=59&category=Location%20Homepage