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 Although it's just eight miles south of downtown Portland, Lake Oswego is not your typical bedroom community. The thriving city of 33,000 is centered around the lake of the same name and bordered by the Willamette River, offering wonderful views and great walks.
In the nineteenth century, Lake Oswego was a thriving steel town, but after the smelter fell silent, the area was reborn as a residential development. Since the 1930s Lake Oswego has been one of the well-heeled suburbs of Portland, boasting graceful architecture and ample recreation. The parks, public golf course and meandering picturesque river make the community a pleasant retreat. Portland's urban amenities are close by and Lake Oswego also supports numerous local cultural endeavors.
The Lake
 The most desirable property is around the large private lake fed by the Tualatin River. The lake is maintained by the Lake Oswego Corporation, and lake access is mostly deeded to lakefront property owners. The lake is closed to anyone but members of the Lake Oswego Corporation.
The Lake Oswego Corporation (LOC) is a non-profit organization that manages all matters regarding the 403-acre Oswego Lake and its 694 lakefront properties: safety (via the Lake Patrol), water quality, maintenance, boat and operator licensing, lakefront building permits, and special events. The LOC, with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lake Oswego, co-sponsor a variety of community activities. Events include: July Fourth Boat Parade and fireworks display; Earth Day, a water-quality education program; and a Christmas Holiday Boat Parade featuring lighted watercraft. The LOC diverts water from the Tualatin River and produces energy through its hydroelectric facility.
The lake hasn't always enjoyed the reputation it does today. The Oregon Iron & Steel Co. managed it until 1941, when property owners incorporated as the Lake Corp. It wasn't until the collapse of the iron industry in the late 1800s that Oregon Iron & Steel began marketing the lake as a playground for the wealthy. Sucker Lake's name was changed to Oswego Lake and weekend cottages became year-round homes. Now, houses on the lake routinely sell for $1 million and more. Property owners have shares in the corporation, depending on the amount of lake frontage they own. Of the 6,000 plus shares, the 20 neighborhood easements each have one; the city, which owns property on Lakewood Bay, has 92.
Portland Monthly Magazine Neighborhood Guide
 The Portland Monthly magazine features neighborhoods in their April issue every year. It has a ton of information about Portland neighborhoods as well as suburban communities.
To help those in the housing market, the magazine combines all the data from about 120 neighborhoods and communities in the Portland metro area. Include in the document are housing prices, school ratings, demographics, crime statistics, parks, commuting information, and services. Click here to view the report.
First Addition
 Historic Lake Oswego is known as "First Addition" which originated in the 1890s when the town was still called simply Oswego. This neighborhood is in the far east side of the city, north of "A" Street. It's an area of 25-30 blocks of historic homes. You will also find many newer homes in the area. This property is so desirable that people buy up bargain homes and replace them with new ones. Many of the First Addition blocks have alleys.
In 2006, Cottage Living magazine named First Addition as one of the ten best cottage communities in the country. The national magazine gushed over the quaint homes, the easy walk to downtown and Lake Oswego, and the "jewel-box gardens winking from behind picket fences."
If you live in First Addition, it's a short walk to the "Village Center" – a 6-7 block area of offices, shops, markets, and a few restaurants. The north end of the neighborhood borders the 645-acre Tyron Creek State Park.
First Addition was where "additional" workers lived when a local iron foundry boomed briefly. Remnants of the foundry may still be seen a short way downriver at George Rogers Park, where picnic grounds, ball fields, tennis courts and cozy beaches offer a compact and inviting family-fun venue.
Visit the First Addition Neighborhood Association Web site.
Mountain Park
 Mountain Park a nationally recognized planned community in Lake Oswego with a population of approximately 10,000.
Mountain Park is situated on 700 acres of land and is located on a dormant volcano known as Mt. Sylvania in the Northwest corner of Lake Oswego. Mountain Park was the vision of Carl Halvorson and was developed in 1968. Most of the 185 acres of common area is undeveloped and maintained in a natural state and a large portion is manicured and beautifully landscaped. Mountain Park is made up of single family homes, townhouses, condominiums, and apartments.
The summit of Mountain Park (Nansen Summit) is 975 feet in elevation and a stunning 360 degree view. The entire Portland Metro area and the Cascades and Coastal Mountain ranges can be seen on a clear day.
As a member of the Mountain Park Home Owners Association you have access to all amenities including the Recreation Center, tennis courts, parks, playgrounds, 15 miles of walking paths, and a host of life-style enhancing services, programs and special events provided by the Mountain Park Staff.
Parks and Recreation
 The Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Department offers numerous programs and activities for adults, teens, and youngsters. Classes include gardening, golf, tennis, sculling, plus many others.
There is a city-owned sports center on the Willamette River, two public swimming facilities on the 405-acre Oswego Lake, a self-financed 18-hole golf course, indoor tennis center, and outdoor amphitheater right along the river.
1,194 acres of parks in Lake Oswego. The 645-acre Tyron Creek State Park is Oregon's only state park within a major metropolitan area and it is located in the northeast corner of Lake Oswego.
Lake Oswego has 14 miles of bike lanes.
Lakewood Theatre Company
The Lakewood Theatre Company is a popular and financially successful member of the arts community, it is the cornerstone around which Lakewood Center has been built. Lakewood Theatre Company began in November, 1952, when a group of Lake Oswegans decided that their community was not complete without a theatre and decided to organize what was known as the Oswego Players.
Lake Oswego Walking Tour
Lake Oswego has reclaimed its industrial waterfront, turning it into a series of riverside parks. This 4.4 walk takes you from the Millennium Plaza Park with its view of Lakewood Bay and adjoining shops and restaurants, back to the origin of the once gritty mining town of Oswego. Click here to download the guide.
Community Demographics
Web Sites
Search for Homes in Lake Oswego
 To search for homes in Lake Oswego, go to Search for Homes and click on the "City Search" icon and then select "Lake Oswego - 263". You can use over 100 search parameters to define your criteria. Alternatively, you can select a specific area off a community map by drawing a box around that area. If you save your search criteria, you will be given the option to have new listings that match your criteria automatically e-mailed to you.
More About Lake Oswego
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Location Eight miles south of downtown Portland. You can approach Lake Oswego from the west on I-5 and the east on Highway 43.
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Origin of Name Oswego is name for a city, county, and river in New York.
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Neighborhood Associations The City has seventeen neighborhood associations.
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Topography Gently rolling hills and some flat areas with mature trees in yards and parks.
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Parks 1,194 acres.
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1Drive Time to Downtown About 25 minutes.
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Public Transportation TriMet bus lines travel to or through Lake Oswego View the schedules and a map of the Lake Oswego Transit Center. Two bus routes, the 35 and the 36, go between the downtown Portland bus mall and Lake Oswego. No MAX light rail or streetcar service. It is a possibility that the popular Portland streetcar line may be extended into Lake Oswego something in the future. Transit Score provides a 0-100 rating indicating how well an address is served by public transportation. Ratings range from "Rider's Paradises" to areas with limited or no nearby public transportation.
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22000 Demographics Population - 35,278. Area size - 405 acres or 11.2 square miles. Number of households - 15,741. Median household income of $71,597 (metro area median household was $46,789). Diversity - 8.9% non-Caucasian. Percent of residents over 25 years of age holding a bachelor's degree or higher - 62.0%. See City Data for more information about Lake Oswego.
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Crime Stats The latest crime stats (by neighborhood) are available at the Lake Oswego Police Department.
Sex Offenders Click here for the State of Oregon Sex Offender Inquiry System. After agreeing to the "Conditions of Use Statement" you will be redirected to a "Enter Search Criteria" page. Insert a zip code in the "Zip" field and click on the "Query" button.
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3Shopping and Services Number of supermarkets: 5. Number of health clubs: 6. Public libraries: 1.
There are three commercial areas in Lake Oswego.
(1) A 5-6 block area known a First Addition along Highway 43 on the east side of the city. This commercial section continues south of the First Addition along highway 43.
(2) A mix of malls and businesses on the west side of Lake Oswego and south of Kruse Way on Boones Ferry Road.
(3) A mall on the north end (west side) of the city on Boones Ferry Road.
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Renters vs. Home Owners Occupied units in Lake Oswego, according to Clackamas County Business and Economic Development Services: owner occupied is 70.88% and renter occupied is 29.12%.
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Who Lives in Lake Oswego Families drawn to the highly-regarded school system and quiet suburban life style as well as retirees who want to golf and enjoy the facilities of the Adult Community Center.
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They Probably Drive Autos such as Mercedes are common, along with many SUVs.
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Schools Lake Oswego School District. The schools in the Lake Oswego rate among the best in the state.
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4School Report Card Grades Elementary schools: O/S. Middle schools: O/S. High schools: O/S. Click here for report card details.
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Housing Types and Styles Lake Oswego’s original neighborhoods reflect a glimpse of England, with English Cottage and Tudor Revival homes designed by architect Richard Sundeleaf between 1920 and 1940. Today most residents live in new developments in a variety of housing types to include condos and townhomes.
5Lake Oswego Home Prices
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Number of homes sold in Lake Owego in 2010: 564. Distressed property sales were 22%.
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Median price for homes sold in Lake Owego: $400,000 in 2010; $408,000 in 2009; $492,500 in 2008; $485,000 in 2007.
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1-year median sales price change in 2010 from 2009 in Lake Owego: -2%.
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5-year median sales price change in Lake Owego: -18%.
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Metro area median home prices: $239,900 in 2010; $247,000 in 2009; $278,000 in 2008; $290,000 in 2007.
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Metro area average home prices: $282,100 in 2010; $289,900 in 2009; $330,300 in 2008; $342,000 in 2007.
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