Commute from Portland to Salem - is it worth it? (Gresham: school district, to live in)

[MLJ2006]

Hi All -

My husband just got a job in Portland and we will be moving the area soon. We would like to live in Portland so that we only need one car. I work in the education field - and with the economy, I want to expand my options of finding a job. I'm thinking of "widening" my search all the way down to the Salem-Keizer school district.

How awful would this commute be from Portland to Salem each day? We would live in either the northwest or southwest sections of Portland to avoid needing to cross the bridge. I can't imagine the thought of NOT having a job - so I would much rather commute than not have a job at all - but I don't want to be miserable either.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by MLJ2006

Hi All -



How awful would this commute be from Portland to Salem each day? We would live in either the northwest or southwest sections of Portland to avoid needing to cross the bridge. I can't imagine the thought of NOT having a job - so I would much rather commute than not have a job at all - but I don't want to be miserable either.

Pretty much assume that from the most Southern point of Portland, to Salem that it's going to be a 30 minute commute. From my place in Beaverton it'd take another 20-30 minutes to get to that point. From NE Portland you can add 45 minutes. Gresham would be an hour. Tigard, ten minutes.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

I know several people that live in the country on the outskirts of Salem and commute to SE Portland and Milwaukie every day.

Every one one of them says that even though it can be a hassle somtimes, it's worth it to them.