This heavy wooded area just west of downtown has narrow winding streets with an absent of sidewalks. Its attraction is the quick drive to downtown and its closeness to the Oregon Zoo and Hoyt Arboretum trails.
Many of the houses that now face Highway 26 are from the 1930s and 1940s, when houses were built along the south edge of the neighborhood near the Portland Racquet Club. The rest of the neighborhood sprang up in the 1950s, '60s and '70s. And the change continues as new condos and townhomes are being constructed on the western edge of the neighborhood.
The neighborhood association supported the tunnel for light rail, which could have run above ground through the residential area. Residents also expressed concerns when the Oregon Department of Transportation began to redesign the U.S. 26 highway between Sylvan and Camelot Court, including a new overpass bridge. The overpass project now has a bridge with stanchions at each end that read 'Sylvan' on a background of trees. The design that came from the neighborhood.
You see a few of the Sylvan-Highlands residents walk from their homes to the MAX Light Rail stop at the Zoo to either head into downtown for work or out to the west suburbs for work in one of the high-tech companies.
Origin of the Name of Sylvan-Highlands
The word 'sylvan' is derived from Silvanus, the Roman deity of the woods. The name seems appropriate for an area that is more like a forest than an urban neighborhood.
Sylvan-Highlands Home Styles
You will find a few older homes along with 50s - 60s homes which is the predominant style. Homes facing west have a view of the coastal mountain range. The last few years have seen some new condos being built along with townhomes.
Most homes in Sylvan-Highlands are owner occupied. An apartment complex is located at the south end of the neighborhood near the business district. Most of the detached single-family homes are owner occupied.
1Sylvan-Highlands Home Prices
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Number of homes sold in Sylvan-Highlands in 2010: 14. Distressed properties sales were 36%.
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Median price for homes sold in Sylvan-Highlands: $427,500 in 2010; $500,000 in 2009; $530,000 in 2008; $585,000 in 2007.
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1-year median sales price change in 2010 from 2009 in Sylvan-Highlands: -15%.
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5-year average sales price change in Sylvan-Highlands: 14%.
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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.
Please be aware that the above figures are subject to error and are intended as guidelines only. View the Sylvan-Highlands homes currently for sale by clicking here.
Parks and Gardens in the Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood
Hoyt Arboretum (232 acres) offers ten miles of walking trails and adjoins the neighborhood. Washington Park with its numerous attractions also borders the Sylvan-Highlands neighborhood.
Sylvan-Heights has 67 acres of park land and open spaces according to Metro and the Portland Department of Parks and Recreation.
Walking in Sylvan-Highlands
The SW Trails Group is a committee of Southwest Neighborhoods Inc that uses volunteer efforts to make trail improvements, lead walks, work with Safe Routes to School, plan and advocate for pedestrian and bicycle safety and other improvements in SW Portland Their walks are the second Saturday of each month, meet at 9 a.m. sharp under the Hillsdale Oak, behind the Dance Studio at SW Sunset Blvd and SW Capitol Highway near the concrete bleachers of the Wilson football field.
Hoyt Arboretum (232 acres) offers ten miles of walking trails and adjoins Washington Park and borders the Sylvan-Highlands neighborhood. The Arboretum's plant collection is made up of over 8,000 individual trees and plants, representing over 1,000 species, many of which are accessible and well-labeled.
Walk Score ranks 2,508 neighborhoods in the largest 40 U.S. cities to help you find a walkable place to live. Below is a Walk Score for an address in the center of the neighborhood.
More About Sylvan-Highlands
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Neighborhood Association Web site Sylvan-Highlands.
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Location Take West Burnside out of downtown and when you approach Skyline Boulevard, look to your left.
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2Drive Time to Downtown About ten minutes - more if you're traveling West Burnside during rush hour.
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Topography Moderate rolling hills, very wooded, winding roads. Very few homes have views.
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Streets and Sidewalks Not a straight street in the neighborhood and no sidewalks.
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Livability Study 96.3% of the Sylvan-Highlands residents rated their neighborhood "good" or "very good." The survey data for this neighborhood was combined with Forest Park and Northwest Heights. See Livability Study.
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Public Transportation TriMet No. 20 goes up Burnside Road, and Nos. 58 and 63 go to the Sylvan overpass. A MAX light rail stop at the Oregon Zoo is within walking distance for residents living on the east side of the neighborhood. Metro (regional government in charge of the Zoo) does not allow commuter parking in their Zoo lots. 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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3Demographics Population: 1,205. Area size: 538 acres. Average population density: two persons per acre. Number of households: 496. Median household income: $132,743. Percent of home owners: 87. Diversity: 5.9% non-Caucasian.
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4Crime Stats 2010 No violent crimes. Total crimes per 1,000 residents was 43. For the latest crime statistics for the Sylvan-Highlands neighborhood, click here.
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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. Sylvan-Highlands zip code(s): 97021, 97025.
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5Shopping and Services This neighborhood has a few commercial establishments on SW Skyline Boulevard. You will find a convenience store, cleaners, a couple of gas stations, and a pizza take-out. It is an easy 7-8 minute drive to the Northwest District where you will find all kinds of shopping.
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Eating Out Pizzicato, a well-regarded pizza take-out is located at the intersection of Highway 26 and SW Skyline Boulevard. Residents are minutes from restaurants in Northwest District and downtown.
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Walking Score Most of the addresses have a walking score in the 40s (not walkable) as recorded by Walk Score.
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Public Library You have to go downtown to the Multnomah County Central Library or to the Northwest District branch located at 2300 NW Thurman Street.
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Who Lives in Sylvan-Highlands With its proximity to downtown, the Sunset Highway, freeways and the light-rail line, Sylvan Highlands has attracted a diverse group of residents. Former Governor Tom McCall lived in the neighborhood when he worked for The Oregonian and Channel 8. Median age is 50.
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Cars in the Neighborhood SUVs, luxury autos, and a few vans (soccer moms).
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6Biking Quality is low. The neighborhood has six miles of bike lanes.
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Schools Elementary school: Ainsworth Elementary and Chapman Elementary. Middle school: East-West Sylvan. High schools: Lincoln High School.
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7School Report Card Grades Elementary schools: O. Middle school: O. High school: O. Click here for report card details.
Map of Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood
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Fly to the Sylvan-Highlands Neighborhood via Google Earth
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1Real Estate Values Data on real estate values provided by RMLStm. Distressed properties refer to the percentage of total homes sold that were short sales and bank-owned properties.
2Drive Time to Downtown Estimated commuting time obtained from Yahoo Maps and Google Maps. Drive time was calculated from a central intersection in each neighborhood to Pioneer Courthouse Square during the morning peak commute time.
3Demographics Data Numbers were obtained from Census 2000 and www.portlandmaps.com.
4Crime Statistics Numbers on crime represent total crimes for 2010 and were obtained from Portland Police Bureau. Violent crimes are defined as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Crimes per 1,000 are based on reported incidents of violent crime, as well as burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.
5Shopping and Services Numbers were determined from local directory listings and county/municipal library systems.
6Biking Quality rating based on the 2007 Cycle Zone Analysis conducted by the City of Portland Office of Transportation. The six-tier ratings have been reduced to three levels: High, Fair, and Low.
7School Report Card Grades Schools ratings from the Oregon Department of Education 2009-2010 performance assessment. "O" = Outstanding; "S" = Satisfactory; "I" = In Need of Improvement; NR = Not Rated.
