J
amie McPartland and Peter Oviatt first crossed paths in New York City 23 years ago, though neither hailed from the area—she was from California, he from Ohio. Their shared love of travel and adventure sparked a connection that would last decades. Before settling into graduate school, they juggled odd jobs—watering office plants, bookkeeping, restaurant work—while earning advanced degrees: Oviatt earned a Ph.D. in anthropology from MIT, and McPartland completed a master’s in creative writing at the New School.

    After marrying and welcoming their daughter Oksana (now nine), the family continued to chase new horizons, staying in Airbnbs and sublets for months at a time during her early childhood. “We used change and stimulation to bind us,” McPartland, 41, reflected. Their itinerant lifestyle took them to France, where Oviatt studied truffle cultivation; Turkey and Morocco, where they navigated visa hurdles; and southern Oregon, where McPartland’s parents had relocated. She kept a hand‑drawn logbook for Oksana titled “Places You’ve Slept,” documenting their stops.

    The transient existence eventually felt unsustainable for Oksana. McPartland longed for a permanent home, a place “we would stay in forever.” In January 2020, just before the pandemic lockdowns, the family settled in Portland, Oregon. The city’s rainy climate was a trade‑off for the stability they needed. “I honestly just enjoy being able to slow down and just spend time with people, see movies, go get drinks,” Oviatt, 43, said. He applied his anthropology background as a program director at a Montessori middle school, also teaching. McPartland taught high‑school French and continued editing manuscripts for other writers.

    While in their third Portland rental, Oviatt lost both parents to cancer. Their inheritance became the key to buying a house—a way to honor their parents’ wish for the family to settle down. With a budget of up to $700,000, they sought a modest home with two or three bedrooms, a garden, and bike‑friendly features. As a cycling family, they wanted a workshop and easy commutes. They also wanted a home with history and character, even though McPartland had never purchased furniture before, nearly 40 years old.

    They considered three options:

    1. A 2,672‑sq‑ft 1907 hillside house in Mt. Tabor, overlooking the park where Oviatt rides summer bike races. The Bavarian‑styled exterior, multiple porches, large grassy yard, and balcony with city views gave it a distinctive feel. Inside, three bedrooms, two full baths, an open kitchen and dining area with mid‑century modern touches, a living‑room fireplace, and picture windows. The bathrooms were dated, and the steep hill made biking to work difficult. Asking price: $625,000; annual taxes: ~$6,500.

    2. A 1,450‑sq‑ft 1906 bungalow, the smallest on the list. Restored by a woodworker and his wife, it featured cypress and cedar facades inspired by Japanese farmhouses. Original wood floors, concrete counters, and rosewood cabinets defined the kitchen. The cobbled yard limited gardening, and the living and dining rooms were less sunny than the second floor, where the bedrooms shared a full bath. The home was close to coffee shops, restaurants, and a grocery store, and the basement offered a potential bike workshop. Price: $696,000; taxes: ~$6,000.

    3. A 2,107‑sq‑ft 1915 craftsman bungalow on a dead‑end road near Division Street. With original fir floors, archways, skylights, and French doors, the house blended historic charm with modern amenities. The spacious kitchen opened onto the backyard; a deep front porch and a dining room with a fireplace and built‑in shelving added character. The basement could house the family’s bikes and more. The yard was ideal for a garden, and the attic held bookshelves. McPartland liked the mustard color and the proximity to a grocery store and a potential school for Oksana. Oviatt would enjoy a scenic bike commute along the Willamette River. Price: $589,000; taxes: ~$6,000.

    After weighing the pros and cons—size, location, historic features, bike accessibility, and budget—the couple chose the 1915 craftsman bungalow. Its blend of character, practicality, and proximity to amenities aligned with their needs, offering a stable home for Oksana and a place to build lasting memories.