We're not really in that
delightful, funky city of Portland, but at least we get to write
"Portland" in our address. We're across the county line, in
Washington County, north of Beaverton, in the Beaverton school
district. After a few house hunting trips here, we wound up
focusing on one neighborhood, defined by school districts - Jacob
Wismer Elementary, Stoller Middle, Westview High.
Houses here were built in the 90's; it all feels very modern and
suburban. People do like trees here, and as the trees mature,
this will turn into a foresty sort of suburb. I wonder if that
will eventually obscure the view of distant hills we get from
upstairs. We have a volunteer western red cedar in the front yard that
certainly will if we let it grow - but I think it's destined to be
brought into the living room and decorated this December. There
are lots of kids in the neighborhood, and Arno
has met several. He likes Jack, who lives directly across the
street. He also likes to watch the boy around the corner play
with
his basketball and portable hoop. And Allison, also across the
street, is his age, and he sees her in KinderCare.
Some of the photos below were used by the previous owners to market it; I've subsequntly mixed in our own, more recent shots:
before, and
after.
It's among the simplest and boxiest in the neighborhood, to judge from the street, at least. Our neighbor told us that it was the last one on the street to sell, the others having been bought before they were built. So maybe the builders (Centex) put fewer "extras" into it, not having a buyer lined up to ask for special features. We had Matt the Builder put a cedar railing on the steps (formerly used by small children for thrilling jumps onto the lawn) and painted it cranberry red, so I owe you all an updated photo of the front.
(pre-Porter photo) This is standing just inside the front door, looking to the right. We primarily use this front living room for the Island of Sodor.
(pre-Porter photo) The kitchen and eating area are in the back, facing south - lots of light. It's nice to look out the window into the back yard when standing at the sink. Tile counters. We took out the electric range and the overhead microwave-hood combination, and put in a gas range and Bettina's preferred super-hood.
(pre-Porter photo) This family room is adjaacent to the eating area seen in the previous photo, so the back of the house is one long, open space. We have a rocker-glider in that corner where they had the TV - see below.
The next two photos were taken while sitting in that rocker.
The back of the sofa marks the end of the carpet, the end of the family room. Right behind it is a table, and to the left from there, sliding glass doors onto the deck overlooking the back yard.
From the rocking chair, open space zigzags to the opposite corner of the house.
You can see the front door down on the left.
(pre-Porter photo) The master bedroom is far bigger than necessary. I like this idea of putting an easy chair in there.
(pre-Porter photo) Arno does enjoy this play structure in the back yard. The yard is much smaller than what we had in Milpitas, but it's pleasant enough, with that deck, two raised beds for vegetables beyond it, and many trees along the fence, which will eventually create some privacy. There are Pacific Chorus Frogs in these back yards, and they earn their name when the weather suits them.
(pre-Porter photo) I've put railings on the ramp, and have dreams of putting Japanese-looking sliding panels on the cubical area underneath, for a little clubhouse/hideaway.
home
Some of the photos below were used by the previous owners to market it; I've subsequntly mixed in our own, more recent shots:
before, and
after.It's among the simplest and boxiest in the neighborhood, to judge from the street, at least. Our neighbor told us that it was the last one on the street to sell, the others having been bought before they were built. So maybe the builders (Centex) put fewer "extras" into it, not having a buyer lined up to ask for special features. We had Matt the Builder put a cedar railing on the steps (formerly used by small children for thrilling jumps onto the lawn) and painted it cranberry red, so I owe you all an updated photo of the front.
(pre-Porter photo) This is standing just inside the front door, looking to the right. We primarily use this front living room for the Island of Sodor.
(pre-Porter photo) The kitchen and eating area are in the back, facing south - lots of light. It's nice to look out the window into the back yard when standing at the sink. Tile counters. We took out the electric range and the overhead microwave-hood combination, and put in a gas range and Bettina's preferred super-hood.
(pre-Porter photo) This family room is adjaacent to the eating area seen in the previous photo, so the back of the house is one long, open space. We have a rocker-glider in that corner where they had the TV - see below.
The next two photos were taken while sitting in that rocker.
The back of the sofa marks the end of the carpet, the end of the family room. Right behind it is a table, and to the left from there, sliding glass doors onto the deck overlooking the back yard.
From the rocking chair, open space zigzags to the opposite corner of the house.
You can see the front door down on the left.
(pre-Porter photo) The master bedroom is far bigger than necessary. I like this idea of putting an easy chair in there.
(pre-Porter photo) Arno does enjoy this play structure in the back yard. The yard is much smaller than what we had in Milpitas, but it's pleasant enough, with that deck, two raised beds for vegetables beyond it, and many trees along the fence, which will eventually create some privacy. There are Pacific Chorus Frogs in these back yards, and they earn their name when the weather suits them.
(pre-Porter photo) I've put railings on the ramp, and have dreams of putting Japanese-looking sliding panels on the cubical area underneath, for a little clubhouse/hideaway.
home