Need Advice on Home Location

This house sounds like an ideal distance from school, park, library. Kids can be taken in a stroller until they are too big to fit in it. I have put my grandchildren in a stroller for my own convenience while shopping up until around 3.

I live approximately a mile from a park and my granddaughter began walking with me once she was steady on her feet. If she is rested (i.e not in need of a nap or food) she walked both ways. Sometimes she'd beg to be carried half way back home and I frequently did carry her for a block or so and then she'd walk for a block or so and so on.

When she was 3, I walked her to daycare which was about 8 blocks away every morning. She had loads of energy, running most of the way. She now loves to walk and even begs to do so.

So, I say go for the house you like! I think kids, once they're good walkers, can outwalk (usually means while running) most adults.

Hi, I live in East Vancouver with probably 7 parks from 3 blocks to 1 1/2 miles away. My kids began walking to the 'close' park at youngest, probably about 2. Now, all 3 (4,5,6) can walk to the mile away one with no problems. Usually, we ride bikes as it is faster and still good exercise. This time of year is not good walking weather and come spring, it will probably take a while for them to condition to walking more than a half mile or so. I am all about getting active and outside and the kids love it (unless they are tired or hungry so pack snacks and make sure you time it right! ) As for stroller, I am just now getting rid of my double stroller. My 4 year old can walk everywhere nowadays. However, on a zoo outing, I usually bring one for the tired walk near the end of our time there.

I'd say you would probably need a stroller until 2-2 1/2ish (maybe longer) I was an avid walker when my youngest was around 18months. I would go to the college and do 4 miles a day 4 days a week, plus some walking time around the neighborhood, ect.... At that age she was a great walker -- it took no time for her to have a great pace and everything, she probably was able to do a mile then back in the stroller and out and in and out..... throughout the walk.

It will depend on the type of kid your son is too. My oldest is now 4yrs and youngest just turned 2. I have been unable to do as much walking with the two, partly because of time, and partly because my 2nd likes to look at EVERYTHING which slows the pace down. While I like to "explore", it doesn't do much to get the heart rate up. LOL

HTH
E.

Being within a mile of all those things is very good! I concider a mile to be within walking distance. You will probably not be able to rely on your son to walk that distance until he is 4 years old. You can use strollers easily until a child is 50 pounds (around 4-6 years old). Better yet though, get a wagon and you can use it longer. With all the rain in the Portland area, you will probably find yourself using the car more often than you would like to. I advise (if you can handle a little rain) to get a stroller rain cover or wagon with an umbrella on it. Good luck, and welcome to the area!

We live about a mile from our community garden and I try to walk there about 5x/week during the growing season. I always take the stroller and some days my daughter rides and others she walks. She walked all the way home for the first time when she was about 20 months (though it took quite a while). I think she had pretty much outgrown the Graco stroller we have (she's now 2.25 and 33 lbs) but the jogging stroller fits her fine and I think it will for a few years.
I say go for the house you love, keep walking as much as you can and don't overlook biking. A mile is not too far for such great amenities!

I agree with the previous posters. My personal experience with walking my dd has been great! We moved to a house when she was 12 months. She wasn't walking yet, so obviously we took the stroller or a baby carrier (often I'd have the bjorn under the stroller, just in case). We started walking to the library x2 a week (it is about a mile from our house) at the mid-end of April and were able to keep it up through October or so. The rain wasn't a big problem since the cover on the stroller did a pretty good job of keeping her dry but it started to get cold and wet and windy, so we stopped walking everywhere until Spring came back around. The snack tray was filled with cheerios and blackberries (we walked on the Springwater Trail, so they were abundant toward the end of summer). When she started walking, she still rode mostly in the stroller - sometimes she'd finish up the walk by walking. She's 3 almost 4 now and still loves to ride in the stroller, so I end up having the baby in a carrier and her in the stroller until I break down and get a duo stroller. Actually, thank you for the question it's bringing back lots of good memories!

HTH!
C.

We live 0.7 miles from our park, too. I like to walk or jog down so I put my kids 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 in the stroller and let them walk once we get close enough to see the park. Both my kids love the stroller for now (they will even go on 10 mile runs with me if we don't have other options). If the weather is just right, I sometimes let my daughter ride her bike to the park but we have to have some extra time! Don't know where you are settling down, but if it's on the west side, you will find a lot of parks hiding in little nooks and crannies in the Tualatin Hills Parks and Rec District. Good luck and have fun with the toddler! ...mol

I can guarantee that things these days aren't like they were when we were kids. It's just too scary to let your kids walk to the park or even to school by themselves. I let my daughter walk part way home (in the spring) when she was in first grade, but she was with two other neighborhood kids. Most parents in my neighborhood didn't and don't let their kids go to the park alone till there somewhere between 8 and 10. Also, you have to remember that Portland is wet and cold for many months of the year. September, October, May and June, you'll be happy to walk them. The other months, fugetaboutit! As far as how old to put in a stroller, it depends on the kid. Some will stay in their stroller till they're 5, others are done by the time they start walking. Also, look into (or have your agent) if there is a bus route to school. We live less than a mile from our school, and my daughter takes the bus.

Dear J.,
I personally like Lake Oswego. I grew up here all my life and my daughter and granddaughter are here. It is still safe to walk anywhere and in some places in the Lake Grove end you can walk to school, park and town within blocks. You may like the city but for me it is too crazy and unsafe. Kids will walk a long way but it doesn't need to be a park. They would probably like a wooded area better for forts and to play house and make mud pies.
I am sure you already have a Realtor so I am not trying to get your business, though I have been a Realtor for 34 years I am also a Natural Health Practitioner. Recently I moved to a place that is close to everything and I love it.
We also have the Lake Grove Swim Park right on Lake Oswego in the summer, which is always fun. My granddaughter is the 3rd generation at Lake Grove Elementary and my daughter lives in the house she was born in (litterally). There are 2 parks that are in walking distance. You are welcome to call me anytime. I will not try to solicit you. I am just putting in my 2 cents. My name is C. and my number is ###-###-#### and I already told you a lot about me.