Oregon

Best Portland-area Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Lake Oswego

by

The upscale Lake Oswego community, less than 10 miles south of Portland, Oregon and situated neatly between the Pacific coast and Mount Hood, offers residents easy access to season sports like hiking, skiing, and snowboarding as well as summer beaches and their quaint coastal communities which are popular year-round.

With a sweet, small-town feel, Lake Oswego (often affectionately referred to as “LO”) sits on a 420-acre lake that offers plenty of local outdoor recreation like bird-watching, swimming, boating, fishing, and more.

Best Portland-area Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego History

Originally inhabited by the Clackamas Indian Tribe, the town was founded in 1847 and incorporated as Oswego (named after Oswego, New York) in 1910. The city was the hub of Oregon’s brief iron industry in the late 19th century. When the railroad arrived in Oswego in 1886 it provided a direct link to Portland. Train traffic reached its peak in 1920 with 64 trains to and from Portland each day. Under a decade later, the line was retired, but has been preserved with the Willamette Shore Trolley continuing to offer scenic trolley rides.

Local Lifestyle

Surrounded by pristine natural beauty, LO is home to numerous golf courses including the Oswego Lake Country Club, a members-only club that debuted its greens in 1924. Their historic clubhouse followed soon after in 1925. On the other side of the lake sits the Lake Oswego Public Golf Course which operates as a city-owned 18-hole course.

With 24 parks covering 600 acres in total, including the 53-acre West Waluga Park, there’s no shortage of beautiful outdoor space to enjoy. The city of Lake Oswego boasts amenities including the Roehr Park Amphitheater, a swim park open during the summer months, a water sports center that is home to Lake Oswego Rowing, outdoor and indoor tennis courts, as well as picnic shelters, playgrounds, and more.

The tight-knit Lake Oswego community loves to come together to celebrate holidays, the changing of the seasons, and more with numerous community events planned throughout the year including local favorites: the Star Spangled Parade and Celebration for the Fourth of July which kicks off from Millennium Plaza Park, free Summer Concerts Wednesday nights in July and August, and Moonlight, and free, family-friendly Music Concerts Sunday nights through July and August. There are also Summer Movies in the Park, and the Holiday Market and Holiday Tree Lighting.

The Farmers’ Market  is so popular that folks will drive in from Portland proper each Saturday from May through October to shop with over 80 local vendors selling just about anything one could need for the home, kitchen, and pantry including meat, chicken, eggs, nuts, cheeses, artisan breads, fresh-made jams, pastries, seafood, crafts, and more.

LO also boasts a small but thriving arts scene with Lakewood Center for the Arts putting on regular performances and an annual Festival of the Arts. ARTSpace hosts rotating exhibitions and is open free for a public reception the first Friday of every month.

Best Lake Oswego Neighborhoods

There are 27 recognized neighborhoods in Lake Oswego, all of which have access to top-rated schools and community amenities.

Kevin Costello of Hasson Company Realtors says, “There is a renaissance happening in downtown Lake Oswego right now and the charming First Addition neighborhood is perfectly positioned to enjoy it. Restaurants, shops, concerts, lake views, and public library – are all within walking distance. With that in mind, the demand for housing here exceeds the supply with little end in sight. Motivated, patient buyers can find their dream house here, at a premium.”

Although this area as a whole is rated as ‘car-dependent’ with a walk score of 36 a transit score of 26, and a bike score of 47 there are a number of neighborhoods that are developing more walkable areas for residents such as the Foothills and Evergreen neighborhoods with walk scores of 73 and extra-swank Lakewood with a 72 walk score.

Lake Oswego Schools

LO is served by the Lake Oswego School District. According to GreatSchools, some of the highest-rated schools in the area include Forest Hills Elementary School (public, K-5), Oak Creek Elementary School (public, K-5), Lakeridge Junior High School (public, 6-8), and Lakeridge High School (public, 9-12). Local private school options include Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School (private, K-8), Westside Christian High School (private, 9-12), and Park Academy (private with Dyslexia focus, 3-8 and 9-12).

Lake Oswego Real Estate

While Lake Oswego is known mainly an affluent community with high-end real estate prices to match, there are still opportunities to purchase in this community for under $200k with condos or townhouse options. That said, fully 50% of all currently listed LO properties are priced at $1million and up with the highest-end property currently listed at just under $7million.

As of this writing, according to Zillow, the median Lake Oswego home price falls at $641,000 landing at $282 per square foot on average, about $55 more than that of Portland.

Veronica Park, Principal Broker with Cascade Sotheby’s International explains this exceptionally healthy real estate market, “Even during the downturn, the home values in Lake Oswego were barely affected. The schools are exceptional and all that the community offers, be it the Farmer’s Market, the Park & Rec programs, or the strong community involvement, Lake Oswego is consistently a great place to buy and live. I’m proud to work and live in this wonderful city!”

If you’re ready to start the home-buying process (in the Lake Oswego area or any other Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington neighborhood) I’d love to help! I specialize in guiding home buyers through the mortgage process and would love the opportunity to sit down with you to discuss your home-ownership goals, answer your current questions, and help you determine exactly how much home you can afford. Feel free to drop by my office at 1238 NW Glisan Suite A in Portland’s Pearl District, shoot me an email, or give me a call anytime at (971) 404-9844.

Best Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Sellwood-Moreland

by

Portland Neighborhood: Sellwood-Moreland

Boasting a walk score of 81 Southeast Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood actually consists of three distinct neighborhood districts: Sellwood, Westmoreland, and Eastmoreland. With four beautiful public parks (Westmoreland Park, Sellwood Park, Sellwood Riverfront, and Johnson Creek Park), the Oaks Bottom Refuge hiking area, Eastmoreland public golf course, and the Springwater Corridor all within easy reach, this neighborhood is especially great for families who like outdoor activities and playing in nature, with a close commute to downtown across the Sellwood Bridge.

Other local public amenities include the Sellwood Community Center, Sellwood-Moreland Library, Sellwood outdoor public pool, and the Sellwood Community Garden.

Family-Friendly Portland Neighborhoods: Sellwood-Moreland

 

Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood History

Historically, Sellwood began as an independent city when the original owner, a fruit farmer, sold his 320 acres to Rev. John Sellwood. In 1882, Sellwood sold half of his acreage to the Sellwood Real Estate Company who planned and developed the city of Sellwood. Five years later, the city was incorporated, and eventually became a part of Portland proper in 1893.

In 1909 Eastmoreland and Westmoreland were born of a sold and subdivided 500-acre farm. These new neighborhoods were marketed to families headed by professionals who worked in downtown Portland, only five miles to the south, usually commuting to work by the relatively new streetcar.

While these areas are well distinguished today by separate and thriving business districts, and many residents identify them as strictly individual neighborhoods, the Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement officially combined the neighborhoods of Sellwood and Westmoreland into Sellwood-Moreland. With Westmoreland situated on the east side of the community, and Sellwood on the west side along the river.

Sellwood-Moreland Median Home Values

The median home value in Sellwood-Moreland currently lands at $425,397 – dramatically higher than the national average of $184,700, but very much in keeping with Portland’s higher-than-average home prices. Neighboring Eastmoreland, voted by Niche users as the #3 best Portland neighborhood to live in, is pricier with a median home value of $496,993.

Sellwood-Moreland Family-Friendly Destinations

Sellwood-Moreland has long been the antique shopping destination in Southeast Portland, with the Stars Antiques Mall housing 100+ vendors in 10,000 square feet and it’s annex right across the street, Stars and Splendid. These cavernous spaces full of all manner of eye candy are a fun place to wander through and while away a rainy afternoon with the kids.

Cloud Cap Games is a beautifully designed game store stocked wall to wall with fun puzzles and different types of games. They even host regularly scheduled game nights, sometimes in their outdoor gaming space. Now you know where to head for a new game to enjoy during your next family game night.

Just one street down is a craft store called Collage, filled with everything your family needs to get their creativity on. The kids will go nuts in here. Check out their craft night project schedule while you’re there.

Stop by Grand Central Bakery on the way home for fresh baked cookies, bread, and lunch fare, or visit neighborhood favorite: Piece of Cake Bakery for unique cupcakes, cakes by the slice or whole, and more.

One new neighborhood favorite that was designed with mom and dad in mind is Buttercraft, a butter and bottle shop offering wine, beer, tea, cured meats, antipasto, and house-made butter in a variety of unique flavors. Buttercraft offers locals the a walkable destination for date night.

Just as in other Portland neighborhoods, Sellwood-Moreland businesses gladly get in on the action when it comes to community celebrations, participation in the neighborhood celebration ‘Summerville’ is high.

Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood Schools

The Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood offers many neighborhood families and children the opportunity to walk to school, with both private and public options including: Llewellyn Elementary School (K-5, public), Sellwood Middle School (6-8, public), Cleveland High School (9-12, public), and St. Agatha Catholic School (K-8, private).

Stay tuned for more Walkable and Family-Friendly Portland, Oregon Neighborhoods.

If you’re ready to start the home-buying process (in Sellwood-Moreland of any other Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington neighborhood) I’d love to help. Give me a call anytime, or start your home-loan prequalification now by submitting your info directly to me using this handy online form.

 

 

 

The Best Neighborhoods to Buy a House in Portland

by

The Best Neighborhoods to Buy a House in Portland

Portland’s real estate market has cooled overall, just a bit – for now. It’ll be interesting to watch the numbers as 2017 closes out and we start the new year. To help give home buyers the inside scoop on which emerging neighborhoods in our area are the most promising I talked to some of my favorite local real estate colleagues to see what they had to say about the best neighborhoods to buy a house in Portland in 2018.

For those buyers who may be feeling shut out by Portland’s overall higher price point, Maria Fitzgerald, a seasoned broker with Inhabit Real Estate explains,

“I often hear the question: ‘Where should I buy a house that is up and coming and we won’t be priced out of the market?’ You can still get a great house, and oftentimes below the average price point in Portland of $428,800. That’s not to say you won’t be doing some sweat equity but it will be worth it! Portland is growing at a rapid pace, buy with walkability to parks, transit, and neighborhood offerings like coffee and restaurants in mind. Investing in areas where transit (bike, streetcar, Max or a bus line) is near and you can enjoy the energy of Portland is key to gaining equity more quickly in my opinion.”

The Best Neighborhoods to Buy a House in Portland in 2018

The Best Neighborhoods to Buy a House In Portland: East Side

The top up-and-coming Portland neighborhoods Maria Fitzgerald recommends are:

St. Johns

St. Johns $344k median sales price.

The St. Johns Neighborhood Association touts this far north neighborhood as a ‘small town in a big city’ – the neighborhood actually was its own incorporated city between 1902 and 1915. This area boasts one of the city’s most beautiful bridges, the St. John’s Bridge, and the corresponding park, Cathedral Park, this neighborhood is also home to a vast assortment of social, shopping, and dining destinations including it’s own McMenamins Theater and Pub and the Moonstruck Chocolate Factory.

While great burgers, beer, and gourmet chocolate aren’t really reasons to buy a home, factor in the affordability, the best-of-both-worlds urban/suburban lifestyle, and the close-knit community which consistently draws young professionals and families to buy and put down roots in this neighborhood and St. John’s is an excellent place to purchase a home in Portland.

Foster-Powell

FoPo $350k median sales price.

The Foster-Powell neighborhood (Or ‘FoPo’ as it’s affectionately referred to by those in the know) is known as ‘The heart of the city’ – and to prove it, the FOPO Neighborhood Association includes a heart in its logo. This outer southeast Portland neighborhood is considered to be one to watch as more families and small businesses move to the area. With no less than eight local parks, a Foster Area Business Association-organized art walk, a neighborhood garden tour, and more, this area is heart-centered and community driven. With the development and launch two years ago of the locally-owned, entrepreneur-friendly Portland Mercado FoPo has cemented itself as one of PDX’s most welcoming and culturally diverse areas.

Also: Cully | Brentwood-Darlington | Rocky Butte

Fitzgerald also advises Portland-area home buyers looking for more house for their money to consider the Cully ($335k median sales price), Brentwood-Darlington ($319 median sales price), and Rocky Butte ($350k median sales price) neighborhoods.

The Best Neighborhoods to Buy a House In Portland: West Side

Maplewood

Sean Becker of Sean Z. Becker Real Estate states that “The area of Vermont Hills and specifically Maplewood is a great place to buy right now. Its close-in, with great homes that are still affordable, making it a great option compared to further out northeast and southeast Portland.” Sean further emphasizes the larger lot sizes available to buyers in these neighborhoods.

Maplewood, an almost exclusively residential neighborhood located in suburban southwest Portland, has its fair share of beautiful parks and greenspace, including the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden and Gabriel Park. A neighborhood populated with families as well as elder generations, this community is well-connected by the green spaces, hills, and creeks that exemplify an active Portland outdoor lifestyle.

Downtown Beaverton

Alpine Group’s Seann Bates sees strong purchase value near downtown Beaverton and explains, “The city of Beaverton is on a real push to reinvent itself by helping small business and trendy shop owners by revitalizing their downtown area. The homes in this part of town are smaller and more catered toward the first-time home buyer or people looking to renovate.”

Beaverton, with a median home price of $365,300, is a suburb of Portland, Oregon and the 5th largest city in Oregon. The development of the MAX light rail transportation system into Beaverton in the 1990s made this once far-reaching area immediately more accessible and it’s been growing ever since. With the Beaverton Farmer’s Market, a wide range of authentic and diverse food choices, and countless locally-owned shops and small businesses, as well as a beautiful city park and fountain and a public library, downtown Beaverton and the surrounding area offers home buyers a vibrant community.

As Seann mentioned, the city of Beaverton has focused efforts on downtown growth. The Beaverton Main Street Program “works to foster vibrant commercial districts that draw people, businesses, and investment to key areas of the city” and has successfully revitalized the area, bringing more small businesses to the economy and more growing families to the housing market. Downtown Beaverton is located seven miles west of Portland, making it accessible to the city.

Ready to Buy a House in Portland?

If you’re ready to buy a house in one of these up-and-coming Portland, Oregon neighborhoods, or any other Portland or Vancouver-area home please get in touch with me to learn more about the mortgage lending process and how much house you can afford.