Young adults that are thinking about starting a family have a lot to consider when purchasing Portland modern homes, including which Portland neighborhoods offer access to the best schools. Parents that want to be prepared may have mapped out their children’s entire scholastic path, from gaining entry to the best preschool all the way to college.
Of course, before you can choose a suitable location, you first need to exercise due diligence by checking out schools. How can you figure out which schools are going to be best for your kids while also choosing a neighborhood that will meet all your needs? Here are a few tips to consider.
School Ratings
The place to start your research is on the Oregon Department of Education website, where you can virtually comparison shop for schools by reading the School and District Report Cards for Portland schools. You’ll also find that some real estate websites include ratings for the schools in the districts of the Portland condos or homes you’re looking at. Of course, your real estate agent may also be able to offer some advice on the subject.
Consumer Reviews
Once you have some idea of the schools that have received top ratings, you’ll want to find out what parents have to say about the teachers, the culture, the education, extra programs (extracurricular activities, after school programs, etc.), and so on. Naturally, you’ll also want to check out the schools at the top of your list to formulate your own opinion and ask questions about enrollment.
City versus Suburbs
You may find that some of the best options lie in suburbs of Portland rather than in the city proper. Even if you plan to work in the city, you might want to live on the outskirts for a variety of reasons, such as getting more bang for your buck in the housing market. A good school system may be an extra perk or a deciding factor when it comes to choosing a home in the suburbs.
Public versus Private
If you’re having trouble finding a good public school in an affordable neighborhood, consider that there are also a number of private schools to choose from in and around Portland. Of course, you’ll have to pay extra, but the money you save on your mortgage might be enough to pay for tuition.
Getting In
The easiest way to gain entry to the best public schools is to live in the district. This might mean looking for Portland lofts or condos if you can’t afford a home in the neighborhood. You’ll just have to make sure that there isn’t some kind lottery system in place first so that you can ensure enrollment in your school of choice.