| Portland, Oregon is fast becoming one of the | | | | While the modern, urban benefits of the |
| countries primary relocation destinations. It has | | | | Clackamas area are flourishing, the district still |
| been a top ranked city in several publications' lists | | | | boasts the quieter suburban elements that make |
| including the Reader's Digest 50 Cleanest Cities in | | | | living away from downtown a perk. The |
| America and Travel + Leisure's 2007 list of | | | | population of the town of Clackamas is estimated |
| America's Favorite Cities. Families and retirees are | | | | at just over 5000 people and trees and fields still |
| looking to move to the Portland metro area to | | | | dot the area. This means small town |
| enjoy all the Northwest has to offer. While some | | | | neighborhoods are still available, perfect for raising |
| neighborhoods provide a very distinct and singular | | | | a family or enjoying the retirement years. Many |
| style of living, the Clackamas area is the right | | | | are choosing to move to the Happy Valley area |
| combination of urban city advantages and | | | | on the north side of Clackamas. This popular |
| suburban perks. | | | | location is still slightly rural with larger homes on |
| Though the town of Clackamas is roughly 15 miles | | | | pieces of land that can offer beautiful views of |
| from Portland's city center, the community has | | | | the valley and Mt. Hood. |
| been developed to provide many of the urban | | | | Clackamas is also a suburban area perfectly |
| elements appreciated by those living in the | | | | situated close to several of Oregon's most |
| downtown area. Access to retail boutiques and | | | | interesting rural towns. In just 15 to 30 minutes, |
| well-known chains have grown significantly over | | | | residents can be in Damascus, Oregon City or |
| the last year due in part to the expansion of the | | | | Estacada where there are several fun activities |
| Clackamas Town Center, a centralized shopping | | | | for families to enjoy like pumpkin patches and |
| location in Clackamas that includes the Promenade | | | | hayrides in the autumn, Christmas tree farms in |
| located directly across Sunnyside Road. In | | | | the winter and petting zoos and fishing ponds in |
| November 2007, the center's developers | | | | the spring and summer. |
| completed over 25,000 square feet of new retail | | | | The Clackamas public school system can also |
| and dining space created using a modern design | | | | offer families the same melding of urban and |
| suited to the tastes and lifestyles of the Portland | | | | suburban benefits. The area has three elementary |
| metro area. Clackamas area residents have much | | | | schools, one middle school and 1 high school that |
| more variety and options now at their fingertips. | | | | average a 1:24 teacher to student ratio. These |
| Ease of transportation is one of the greatest | | | | smaller class sizes are what parents hope to have |
| benefits of living close to the center of any city. | | | | for their children but they can rarely be found in |
| Portland residents have had an award winning | | | | many of the more populated metro areas. Last |
| TriMet system of busses at their disposal for | | | | year, 72.5% of Clackamas High School 10th |
| quite some time. Now, new developments are | | | | graders met or exceeded state learning |
| connecting suburban residents to the entire metro | | | | standards, roughly 19% more than the state |
| area through the MAX light rail. The Metropolitan | | | | average. The school also boasts a strong |
| Area Express (MAX) which now serves the | | | | dedication toward getting students to college or |
| Hillsboro, Beaverton, downtown, Northeast, and | | | | the vocation of their choice. This kind of high |
| Gresham areas is being expanded to include | | | | quality schooling in a smaller town is hard to find in |
| Clackamas. By September 2009, a new green line | | | | many areas. |
| will run from the Gateway Transit Center along | | | | The Portland metro area is an incredible place to |
| I-205 to the Clackamas Town Center area. | | | | relocate to. Oregon residents as well as people |
| Clackamas residents will have an inexpensive, | | | | from out-of-state looking for a melding of all the |
| easy to use train system available to take them | | | | great urban and suburban advantages Portland |
| to anywhere the other lines go. This development | | | | has to offer would do well to consider a home in |
| is one of the most anticipated city projects under | | | | Clackamas. |
| way today. | | | | |