Tree-lined streets and easy access to downtown in Garden Home-Whitford
Towering Douglas firs and ponderosa pines shade the residential lanes of the Garden Home-Whitford community, located around 8 miles southwest of downtown Portland. “It’s really the perfect location with easy access to downtown, major companies in the Sunrise Tech Corridor and Washington Square shopping,” says Peggy Hoag, owner of Hoag Real Estate, who has been working in the Garden Home-Whitford area for over 34 years. “You have leafy, quiet streets here while still being close to downtown and major roads.” A lack of through traffic allows for walkable streets, and most residents live within a half mile of the nearest park. Garden Home-Whitford is in proximity to some of the largest employers in the Portland area, including Nike, Intel and Columbia Sportswear.
Private yards and midcentury architecture
While most houses sit close together on quarter-acre or smaller lots, old-growth trees and dense greenery give the community a private feel. Modern traditional houses, ranch-style homes and midcentury modern builds are common throughout the area, and most were built between the 1940s and early 2000s, with a few brand-new builds throughout. “There are some newer subdivisions where developers have taken old farmhouses on 2-acre properties and turned them into 10 new homes,” Hoag says. Quaint ranch-style homes and fixer-uppers range from $400,000 to around $570,000, while larger, multistory houses and homes with recent renovations can go for $600,000 to $1.4 million. Two- and three-bedroom condos and townhouses range from $360,000 to $515,000.
Career pathways at Beaverton High School
Most local students attend Montclair Elementary School or Raleigh Hills Elementary School, which earn A-minus and B-plus grades from Niche, respectively. Also with a B-plus, Whitford Middle School has a variety of extracurriculars, including clubs centered around journaling, Dungeons & Dragons and board games. Beaverton High School receives a B and offers career pathway programs in engineering, marketing, education, digital media and health careers. Students can earn college credit by taking dual enrollment courses through Portland Community College.
Paved walking trails and community programs in Garden Home-Whitford
There are numerous public green spaces throughout the Garden Home-Whitford area. Garden Home Park has a playground, tennis courts, walking paths and open field space. The paved Fanno Creek Trail is accessible from the north side of the community and winds for nearly 5 miles through parks, wetlands and forests. The Garden Home Recreation Center hosts dozens of classes and camps throughout the year, from kids’ art camp to Middle Eastern cooking classes. There are two popular golf courses in the area: the private Portland Golf Club and the public RedTail Golf Center. The 90-acre Gabriel Park is a short drive northeast and is home to a dog park, a community garden, plentiful sports facilities and a large playground.
Local favorites and nearby international cuisine
Both local businesses and chain eateries surround the intersection of Garden Home and Oleson roads. Black Rock Coffee Bar offers espresso, smoothies and baked goods, while Old Market Pub & Eatery is a local favorite serving handhelds, pasta and pizza along with over a dozen craft beers on tap. “Marco’s Cafe is one of the most popular restaurants in the area,” says Hoag. The restaurant offers a wide range of breakfast fare and an espresso bar. Broder Söder is a popular Scandinavian restaurant serving authentic Nordic fare, from Danish pancake balls to seafood platters. The community is just east of Washington Square, home to over 170 shops and restaurants. Trader Joe’s, Grocery Outlet and Target are nearby options for groceries.
TriMet transit and driving to downtown Portland
Drivers can take Interstate 5 around 8 miles northeast to downtown Portland. Oleson Road is lined with bus stops operated by TriMet, with the MAX Light Rail connecting nearby Beaverton with Portland City Center.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
