Portland
is generally perceived as a safe, supportive and wonderful
place to raise a family.
'Family-friendliness”
is upheld as one of the city’s greatest virtues and
a primary reason why many people and companies move
here from larger cities around the country. However,
some worry that families are being pushed to
the suburbs by rising housing costs and troubled public
schools. They express concern that “family-friendliness”
is becoming less of a public priority as attention and
resources are increasingly devoted to major infrastructure
and urban renewal projects. People believe that by keeping
the focus on improving the quality of life for families,
everyone will benefit. Portland will continue to strengthen
its position relative to other major cities and will
be able to attract the most desirable residents and
businesses, keeping the city vital and preventing urban
decay.
Note: This chapter contains content
and themes that are very similar to those mentioned
in Social Issues: Family/Youth. A reading of both sections
will provide a more complete picture of people’s thoughts
on the benefits and challenges of raising families in
Portland.
- Portland
has a reputation as a family-friendly city.
- Family-friendliness
is losing ground as a top public priority.
- Policies that are good
for families are good for Portland as a whole.
- Portland
has a reputation as a family-friendly city.
- Many people value “family friendliness”
and feel that Portland is a wonderful place
to raise children.
- The following attributes contribute to Portland’s
“family-friendliness”:
- Access to neighborhood parks, greenspace
and urban nature;
- Lots of activities and events for children
and families;
- Its safety relative to
other cities;
- Wonderful library system;
- Neighborhood public schools;
- Bicycle and pedestrian options for commuting
and for going out with children;
- The slower pace of life, which allows
people to spend more time with their families; and
- A culture that values families and children.
| “Most
important, Portland is very family friendly
– a totally unique trait to any other ‘international
city.’ This is a fundamental reason why
many families, even young, working professionals
without children, choose Portland. There
is still hope of good housing and a promising
future for raising a family in a balanced
urban environment.” |
| "I
love that this is still a livable city
for individuals and families, that we
can access natural areas easily, that
art and culture seem to be valued, that
public transportation is accessible and
attractive to use, that the county library
system is fantastic, and that – regardless
of the funding crises in which we find
ourselves – there seems to be a great
deal of civic involvement and interest
in education and social issues.” |
| “It’s
such an easy place to live – the people
and city itself are friendly, good public
transportation, eco-friendly…it offers
all the amenities (stores, restaurants,
culture, sports) of a larger city without
the crime and hassles, it’s a great place
to raise children.” |
- More support for new mothers (e.g.
access to childcare, making hospitals “baby
friendly”).
- Greater acceptance of “non-traditional family
units” (e.g., gay couples, children raised
by grandparents and single parents).
- “Support companies that provide family-friendly
and sustainable workplaces.”
- Improve the safety of park bathrooms, so
bathrooms can be open without attracting drug
activity or “scary people.”
- More activities for youth such as skateparks,
under-21 music events, etc… (see Urban Livability:
Entertainment and Urban Livability: Access).
- Family-friendliness
is losing ground as a top public priority.
- A number of respondents voice the concern
that Portland is becoming less family-friendly
in recent years.
- Factors that threaten family-friendliness
include:
- The recent loss of affordable housing
options, which is pushing many young families
out of the city;
- The struggling public school system,
which also leads some families to move
to the suburbs;
- New condo developments such as the Pearl
and the South Waterfront. These are criticized
for lacking affordable “family-size” units
(two- and three-bedroom units) as well
as lacking sufficient greenspace for children;
- High-profile urban renewal projects
which are seen as taking resources and
attention away from policies that benefit
children and families; and
- The presence of drug dealers, drug users
and gang members, especially downtown,
at Lloyd Center, along 82nd Avenue and in
some parts of North Portland.
- The great majority of respondents in this
section want to see the City focus first and
foremost on policies which enable children
to become well-educated and engaged citizens.
| “Although
I am a grandmother, I love how friendly
Portland is to young families. I mourn
the loss of affordable housing, as I believe
one of Portland’s signatures is that young
families can afford homes.” |
| “Before
we start ‘remapping’ the physical structure
of the city (i.e. burying freeways and
implementing ferry systems and extending
tramlines) we need to invest in the core
of our future: the education of the young
citizens of Portland.” |
| “[I
would like to see] less concentration
on high-rise apartment/condo buildings
and more on family housing and parks.
It seems we are forcing families out of
the city. I would hate for downtown to
be unaffordable and livable for families.” |
- “Think as a parent… Can the stroller
go there? Are there clean bathrooms nearby? Is nature valued and preserved?”
- Increase the availability of affordable
housing throughout the city.
- “Support families moving to the city, rather
than childless professionals. Areas like the
Pearl look great and sound great on paper,
but without real families and children, they
are hollow.”
- Address drug dealing, especially on downtown
streets, on the MAX, on busses and at bus
stops.
- “SE is not very kid-friendly—very adult-centric.
We need a soccer field, pool, kid stuff in
central Portland to support young families.”
- Policies
that are good for families are good for Portland
as a whole.
- A number of respondents call for the City
to put family-friendly policies at the center
of their agenda, believing that these policies
will strengthen the entire community.
- Family-friendly places are more likely to
attract people with a sense of long-term commitment.
- By becoming more family-friendly, Portland
can attract the most desirable residents and
companies from other larger or more cosmopolitan
cities.
- By focusing on the health, well-being and
education of Portland’s children, we produce
a more creative, resilient and globally competitive
city.
- Policies or actions that benefit families
as well as the greater community include:
- Reducing traffic and minimizing commute
times;
- Maintaining and increasing access to
greenspace as the city grows;
- Making system-wide changes to create
first-rate public schools in Portland (many respondents speak to the need
for a “system overhaul” as opposed to
minor adjustments in funding levels or
other surface-level changes); and
- Creating safer streets and neighborhoods
by increasing the focus on community policing
(see Public Safety: Neighborhood Safety).
| “Families
with children are a vital part of this
city. And to that point, if Portland wants
to become a truly international city,
one that supports business, embodies progressive,
forward-thinking and positive growth,
it needs to make great strides in supporting,
financing, and planning to build a stronger
educational system for our city.” |
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