|
|
|
Places to Live in The Portland Area
|
Co-Housing at Cascadia Commons and Trillium Hollow
Based on a model developed in Denmark, co-housing aims to create an extended-family in a community that natures all ages. While each residence is separate, a common building provides space for shared cooking, laundry, children's play and recreation. Grounds are managed cooperatively, and residents eat several meals together each month. Decisions are made democratically; the legal entity is a condominium association.
Two similar co-housing communities, Cascadia Commons in the West slope neighborhood and Trillium Hollow in the Cedar Mill neighborhood, have homes for sale. Both neighborhoods are in the Beaverton School District.
At Cascadia, both remodeled and newly-built one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats and townhomes are available, all facing a greenspace with parking at the perimeter. Prices range from $130,400 to $219,300. Buyers arrange their own financing with any lender they choose.
|
|
|
Lake Oswego
Although it's just eight miles south from downtown Portland, Lake Oswego is not your typical bedroom community. The thriving city of 35,000 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 the well-heeled suburb of Portland, boasting graceful architecture and ample recreation. The parks, public golf course and meandering picturesque river make the community a pleasant retreat. Surrounded by farmland, Lake Oswego offers the benefits of a rural area without the isolation. Portland's urban amenities are close by and Lake Oswego also supports numerous local cultural endeavors.
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. But even if you don't own rights to the lake, the seaside is just a Sunday drive away.
You can download a Community Profile (PDF format) of Lake Oswego, as well as other communities in Oregon, from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.
To learn more about Lake Oswego, visit these Web sites:
Who lives in Lake Oswego: Families drawn to the highly-regarded school system and quiet suburban life style.
They probably drive: Lexuses and Mercedes are common - also SUVs.
Schools: Lake Oswego School District
Average single family home prices: Year 2000 - ZIP 97034: $359,755. Year 2000 - ZIP 97035: $278,111.
|
Multnomah Village
In 1908 the Oregon Electric Railway stopped here on it's way from Portland to Salem. Now Multnomah Village is a special Portland neighborhood with a small town ambience.  The Village has maintained charming atmosphere combining good service with imaginative establishments. With over 100 different businesses and community services, you will find antique stores, galleries, gift and specialty shops, distinctive restaurants and much more. There is something for every mood, every preference, every individual.
C. B. Woodward laid out the land around Multnomah in 1902, naming north-south streets after states and east-west streets after trees. streets after states and east-west streets after The Village is less than 15 minutes from downtown Portland (Southwest of downtown). Other attractions are the convenient access to the Multnomah Arts Center (learn to paint, draw, dance, sing, play an instrument, etc.) and the Southwest Community Center (swimming, exercise classes, etc.). To learn more about Multnomah Village, visit these Web sites:
Who lives in Multnomah Village: Families who enjoy a sense of community with a range of housing (single family, townhomes, a few apartments).
They probably drive: Small cars - Subarus are common.
Schools: Wilson High School / Gray Middle / Maplewood Elementary / Rieke Elementary
Average single family home prices: Year 2000 - ZIP 97219: $228,984.
|
|
|
 Pearl District
Located on the north edge of downtown, the Pearl District is now the liveliest area in Portland. Walk to work, eat out at a new restaurant practically every night, take walks along the river, and soon you will be able to jump on a streetcar that will loop the city.
The Pearl District Neighborhood Association was founded in 1991, taking as its boundaries NW Broadway Avenue on the east, West Burnside Street on the south, the I-405 Freeway on the west and the Willamette River on the north. The neighborhood encompasses the North Park Blocks, the 13th Avenue Historic District, the city's Main Post Office, and the Hoyt Street  Rail Yards, a 40 acre downtown land parcel still largely undeveloped.
Up until a few years ago, the Pearl District was just another grimy, downtown neighborhood that was showing its years. Today it is transitioning from an industrial warehousing area to one of the most desirable locations in the city. Renovations and adaptive use of historical and other structures have led to loft housing, row houses, condos, new restaurants, art and ceramic galleries, and a burst of new retail activity. A flurry of important new urban creative-commerce entrepreneurs, ranging from small internet firms to world-class advertising and multi-media companies, are staking out territory here.
To learn more about the Pearl District, visit these Web sites:
-
Brewery Blocks Located at the former site of the Blitz-Weinhard Brewery, is a five-block project in the SW section in the Pearl District. The Brewery Blocks will provide a transition between the Central Business District and the River District by introducing approximately 1.7 million square feet of urban retail, office space, and residential housing in addition to parking.
-
Lovejoy Ramp Murals In 1948, Greek immigrant Tom Stefopoulos started a series of paintings on the columns of Portland Oregon's Lovejoy Ramp. An effort is now being made to preserve the ramps.
Who lives in the Pearl District: Young singles and married couples of all ages drawn to the city life style. Forget about the yard work. Forget about driving to work.
They probably drive: When Pearl District residents need a car, they can rent one. Those residents with cars drive all kinds to include smaller SUVs.
Schools: School-age children are rare.
Average single family prices: Year 2000 - ZIP 97209: $364,127 Year 2001 YTD - ZIP 97209: $245,061.
|
|
