PDX Base places to live
 

Where does everyone live in Oregon to drive to PDX? Not looking to live right next to the city (for obvious reasons) but probably a little bit more out into the suburbs. Don't mind an hour drive. Also have 3 little ones with one on the way so yes schools are important. As always thank you.

-Caris

Lots of PDX crew choose to live on the north side of the Columbia for the lower income tax in Washington state. Either in Vancouver, Camas, or surrounding area. There are a lot of safe suburbs with good schools that aren't too long of a drive from PDX. Lake Oswego & West Linn are known for the schools and being safe, family oriented suburbs. Other nice places that are a little further south include Oregon City and Canby. Both within an hour drive and outside of the city. Anything on the far west side (Hillsboro, Beaverton, etc.) can be a longer drive due to having to drive through downtown.

Most of us are tax dodgers who live on the WA side. Vast majority are in Vancouver and Camas. The rest sprinkled around farther north.

since we fly out of PDX, dont we pay OR tax since we work there or do I have that wrong? Also how are the property taxes in Vancouver WA

You get taxed in the state you live in, so if your state has no income tax, you're in the clear.

Pilots who live in other states, but are, or have been based in NY or CA, every now and then, have had those states' (NY/CA) tax authority come after them for taxes, but once you respond telling them you work for the airlines, etc, they pretty much leave you alone.

I think back in the day (80's or 90's?), crews were in fact being double taxed, and after some lobbying, congress or whomever passed a law that granted that relief.

Someone can chime in if they're more familiar..

Do you have ties to the Portland area? Family? Friends? If not, maybe consider a different base. PDX is a very special creature. Portland is a small base and most of the pilots who are based in Portland have roots in Portland. That means everything moves extremely slow. Upgrade takes forever. Reserve lasts for years. There aren't many lines to choose from. Plus, there are several dozen senior FOs in Portland who won't upgrade because they don't want to take the quality of life hit. Those senior FOs soak up all the good pairings. Everyone else gets trash and/or works weekends.


I personally love living in Portland, but if you're going to live in the burbs, why not Seattle? That way you won't tie your life to Portland's limitations. Seattle has so many more options for schedules and upgrade. Also, if you ever want to be a check airman, Seattle is the place to be.


If you do choose Portland and the burbs, then Camas is probably your best option. Camas has good schools and they planned the place out nicely so there are lots of trails and parks that connect everything. You're in the burbs, but close to nature, and still close to the airport.


If you chose Vancouver, be careful where you end up. Parts of Vancouver are great, but parts suffer from horrible urban planning. Imagine twenty small, not connected developments that dump onto a farm road that connects to an ugly four-lane road with fireworks stands and a Dell Taco near the freeway. That's north Vancouver. You can't even walk a dog because there aren't any sidewalks. You're a prisoner in your cul-de-sac.


Or, be brave and buy in Portland proper. This is your last chance before prices go to the moon.

The Pearl District of downtown is pretty nice, though you can go just one block and find yourself in a tent city. I was walking around with my girlfriend the other Saturday night within a few blocks of Powells down the road, and we were both very sketched out. I am giving that area about a year to try out the downtown living thing (I am 30, no kids), and then will probably move back to Central or Southern Oregon.

wow thank you for this. No roots or ties to Portland but chose Alaska to get out of Allegiant. Yeah we were exploring both SEA and PDX. Sry to say this but most likely gonna be applying to DL asap so SEA honestly would be the best. Anyone make the commute from Vancouver area all the way to SEA?

That is what I would recommend. No state income tax in WA. Careful about where you choose to live, some places in Vancouver are not that great. But many are, as well as other areas. In my opinion the center of Portland is getting to be a homeless city, like a couple major cities south of it. Don’t live there, but been there enough to get the feel.

It's a long drive. Some friends just did it and they suffered through Sunday traffic. If you could pick your days it wouldn't be too bad. But you wont be able to do that for a while.