West Linn Neighborhood Guide | SkyBlue Portland

West Linn Neighborhood Guide

West Linn Neighborhood Guide | SkyBlue Portland

West Linn, Oregon–known as the “city of hills, trees, and rivers”–is all about natural beauty, breathtaking views, family life, and PARKS. It also has top-notch schools and active neighborhood associations. In fact, it’s one of the 100 Best Cities to Live in the nation.

Just 12 miles south of downtown Portland, the 11 neighborhoods of West Linn enjoy easy access to the amenities of the larger metropolitan area, while retaining their rural, small town charm.

A recent search for All Homes for Sale in West Linn, Oregon shows a range of home prices from almost $4,000,000 at the high end to $200,000 at the low end. There’s a home for everyone in West Linn. And regardless of neighborhood or home price, the much lauded amenities of this vibrant city are available to all residents alike.

The majority of West Linn’s 11 neighborhoods are nestled in the tranquil, rolling hills overlooking the Willamette River. Here you’ll find Barrington Heights-Hidden Creek-Tanner Creek (popularly known as BHT), the upper elevations of Hidden Springs, Marylhurst, Parker Crest, Rosemont Summit, Savannah Oaks, and Skyline Ridge.

Spectacular views are prevalent in the hills, as are upscale homes and gated communities (Cascade Summit, Le Chevalier, Stafford Hill Ranch, Summerlinn). What you’ll get for your money are elegant, spacious homes, tree-line streets with sidewalk boulevards, and easy access to dozens of neighborhood parks.

Closer to the river, and thus lower in elevation, you’ll find Bolton, Robinwood, Sunset, and Willamette.

With the exception of newer, upscale homes on the river, the lower elevation neighborhoods in West Linn are older, with smaller, less expensive homes. These historic neighborhoods have older roadways as well–meandering, without sidewalks. Along the river, neighborhoods feel like waterfront vacation communities–laid-back, tranquil, and tousled. Mature trees and charming gardens are prevalent, as are cottage style homes. We love these neighborhoods with their unpretentious style and sense of history and place. If you’re into shabby-chic and want the tranquility of the country, you may find the perfect, charming home in West Linn’s historic neighborhoods.

Within West Linn’s seven square miles, there are over 600 acres of park land, ranging from active parks with sports, picnic, play, spray, and skate facilities to more passive parks for walking, biking, and communing with nature. Plus, there are 18 miles of trails through parks and opens spaces, and seven miles of trails along easements, city property, residential linkages and unimproved public right of ways. It’s an outdoor playland for all ages and activity levels, and it’s FREE.

Flanked by the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers, West Linn attracts fishing and boating enthusiasts of all types. The Cedaroak Boat Ramp Park offers access to the river, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hiking trails. Smaller Bernert Landing Boat Ramp in Willamette Park offers similar access at the junction between the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers. For land lovers, the new West Linn Fishing Dock gives bank fishermen access to the bounty of the river and its seasonal runs of Chinook, white sturgeon, steelhead, and Coho salmon.

Mary S. Young State Park is a favorite of birders, with numerous walking trails and river views. There are also sports fields, a shelter, and an unleashed dog area, as well as a walking bridge to Cedar Island.

The Camassia Natural Area, owned by the Nature Conservancy, has more than 300 plant species in the preserve, including the common camas. Camas, formerly used as a food source by Pacific Northwest Native Americans, has beautiful blue blooms in April and early May. Birders can find the wood duck, western bluebird, and California quail, as well as other well-known bird species in the natural area.

Basics

  • County: Clackamas
  • Zip Code: 97068
  • Location: 12 miles south of Downtown Portland

People

  • Population: 19,154
  • Median Age: 45
  • Median Household Income: $86.294 (3rd highest in Portland/Portland Metro)
  • Bachelor’s Degree: 34%
  • Graduate Degree: 15%

Lifestyle

  • Parks & Open Spaces: 600 acres
  • Walkability Score: 29 (all those hills)
  • Average Commute Time: 25 minutes
  • Minutes by Car to Downtown Portland: 26 minutes

Real Estate (April 2014)

  • · Medium Home Price: $385,303
  • · Average Home Price: $399,303
  • · Average Days on Market: 76
  • · Average Year Built: 1987 (Compared to Portland: 1956)
  • · Homes Built 2005 or Earlier: 62%

Neighborhood Guides (link to neighborhood pages)

  • · Barrington Heights, Tanner Woods, Hidden Creek (BHT)
  • · Bolton
  • · Hidden Springs
  • · Marylhurst
  • · Parker Crest
  • · Robinwood
  • · Rosemont Summit
  • · Savanna Oaks
  • · Skyline Ridge
  • · Sunset
  • · Willamette

Homes for Sale in West Linn

Neighborhood Maps

Neighborhood Associations

Neighborhood Websites

City Hall

Chamber of Commerce

Calendar of Events

Library

Public Schools

Parks | Recreation

Biking

Hiking | Running | Walking

Boating | Fishing | Rowing

Restaurants | Coffee Shops | Bakeries

The Portland suburbs are not often noted for their mind-blowing food, and West Linn is no exception. Up-and-coming chefs tend to hone their mettle and build their reputations in Portland restaurants. However, we like to eat when we’re in West Linn, and here are some of our favorites: Bugatti’s Ristorante, Allium Bistro, Thai Orchid, Thai Lemon, Linn City Pub, and Willamette Coffee House.

Shopping

West Linn is home to numerous shopping centers, so everyday necessities and services are close at hand.

  • · Cascade Summit Professional BLDG (22400 Salamo Rd)
  • · River Falls Shopping Center (1865 Blankenship Rd)
  • · Robinwood Shopping Center (19149 Willamette Dr)
  • · West Linn Central Village (21900 Willamette Dr)
  • For upscale shopping, Washington Square in Southwest Portland and Bridgeport Village in Tigard are also nearby. You’ll also enjoy gracious Lakeview Village nestled against Millennium Plaza Park in downtown Lake Oswego.

Markets

You have several good choices for supermarkets in West Linn:

And you’ll find these popular, upscale markets in nearby Lake Oswego:

Farmers Markets

Local News

City Maps

In the News

History

Social Media

Additional Resources