The Property
I got a great referral to a realtor in Portland--a sister-in-law of a friend in California. My stipulations were for approximately two acres, at a price that didn't include any existing structures--since I planned to tear everything down and start from scratch. I also wanted a sense of being in the country, but within sight of neighbors and some sense of security. My hopes on top of that, were for a lot that wouldn't feel dreary in the rainy winters, a nice territorial view, and a big shade tree "out back." In three trips to Portland and six months, I bought the first property I'd seen--it felt right. It also fit all my requirements, and more. I'm on a gated street with only three other homes, I'm at the top of what's known as Pete's Mountain--well, if not the very top, it feels like it--with an eastern view of Mt. Hood, and I even have my lovely shade tree. So I had landed. In West Linn, I would be 30 minutes from my daughter and he...