Congrats on your new position.

Highly highly unlikely you'll find 3-5 acres anywhere inside the urban growth boundary (at least nothing anywhere near affordable for mere mortals). Outside the boundary,maybe, but likely west or north of Hillsboro. Think Vernonia, Banks, Forest Grove, North Plains. Possibly South of Hillsboro, like Scholls, Farmington, etc.

Our land use laws are such that land inside the boundary is very expensive and is zoned in such a way to encourage density. Outside the boundary its mostly zoned agricultural land, and is zoned in such a way as to prevent it from being broken up into small lots. Please take no offense here, but the idea is to prevent precisely the type of lot you are looking for. 3-5 acre lots are useless from an ag perspective, and ag land needs to be preserved for that purpose. Small lots just causes endless sprawl and too much traffic on the country roads we cyclists want to use.

Don't fret about the weather. You too shall eventually grow webs between your toes, just like the rest of us. I've been here more than 10 years. My webs are still in development, but mostly full grown. And remember, we have the most spectacular summers ever. Most new homes come with A/C, but really you don't need it. My home is not air-conditioned and I only wish for it maybe one week per year. The beauty of living in Hillsboro is that you can be at the ocean in an hour, or up on Mt. Hood skiing in about the same amount of time. Life is good here (just don't tell anyone else, so we can keep it to ourselves....).

Susan