Small-town Oregon living
From the North American Bigfoot Center to gorgeous views of Mount Hood, there are many ways in which Boring, Oregon defies its name.
Named for local farmer William Harrison Boring, the community is nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Range and is within a short drive of dozens of scenic trails and viewpoints. Boring has an authentic small-town feel, with quiet lanes and just a handful of shops and restaurants interspersed among hundreds of acres of open fields and farmland. “Compared to communities further west toward Portland, it's a little bit more relaxed,” says Michael Fitz, the Chief of Boring’s Community Planning Organization “You get to know the people. It’s nice to walk into the convenience store and have somebody call you by name.”
Walking trails and Clackamas River recreation
Boring is close to a wealth of state parks and outdoor recreation areas, with Mount Hood just an hour away. Walking and biking trails wind through town, including the paved Springwater Corridor Trail and the gravel Cazadero Trail, with nearly 25 miles of trail accessible from the community. Golfers can catch glimpses of Mount Hood through the lines of fir trees while playing a round of 18 at Mountain View Golf Course. Mountain View is also home to Leaderboard Restaurant and Lounge, which serves up burgers, pizzas and refreshing brews.
Milo Mclver State Park is a 15-minute drive south of Boring and is home to 950 acres of thick forests on the western banks of the Clackamas River. The park is home to 14 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails and campgrounds. Anglers can cast a line into the river to reel in Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and steelhead while rafters and paddlers drift downstream.
Private lots
One of the biggest draws of living in Boring is the large lot sizes, with the smallest yards starting at half an acre and many on the outskirts of town reaching 3 acres and above. Architectural styles range from turn-of-the century farmhouses to modern craftsmans, many with stunning views of Mount Hood. Two-bedroom houses close to the center of town fetch $400,000 to $650,000, while the community's three-bedroom and larger houses on large, private lots will go for $600,000 to $1.3 million. On Boring’s east side, homes sit on private, wooded properties shaded by mature fir trees, while others border the community’s farmland.
The public schools of Boring
Naas Elementary and Boring Middle School sit next to each other on Southeast School Avenue, making morning drop-off easy for parents of multiples, and each earn solid B-plus overall grades from Niche. Sandy High School earns a B-minus rating and has over 20 club offerings, with topics ranging from forestry and writing to auto mechanics and aerospace. The high school also partners with numerous local colleges and universities to offer 22 dual credit courses.
Route 212 businesses
Route 212 cuts through the center of town and is lined with a small selection of local businesses. Country Coffee serves classic espresso drinks, smoothies and breakfast bites through a drive-up window. For a quick drink or snack on the go, locals can swing by Green Food Mart, and for a larger selection of groceries and everyday essentials, a Fred Meyer is 10 minutes away down Route 26. Chester’s Pub provides its patrons with cocktails, tap brews and classic pub fare from the western burger topped with onion rings to fish and chips. Across the parking lot, the North American Bigfoot Center draws in believers and skeptics alike from the greater Portland area.
A step back from busy Portland
It takes around 35 minutes to get to downtown Portland from Boring, allowing for easy access to the city’s center while providing large lots, a small-town feel, and a sense of privacy that isn’t as common closer to the city.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
