City of 38,000 containing the Port of Longview along the Columbia River
In southwest Washington and 54 miles north of Portland, Longview is a small city with an all-American, residential feel. Its gridded blocks extend out from the town square at the heart of the city, and its southern edge borders the Columbia River and the state of Oregon. Heading north, flat city blocks give way to hilly cul-de-sacs. Longview began as a 1920s lumber mill town and remains a manufacturing and shipping hub today. The closest major urban area is Vancouver, about 40 miles south. Affordability plays a role in attracting homebuyers to Longview: “There are people who left Vancouver because it’s more inexpensive up there [in Longview], and there are people who commute down here,” says Dylan Overton, Handris Realty broker with 20 years of real estate experience. A couple of miles east, Interstate 5 connects drivers to Vancouver and Portland. This highway stretches the length of the west coast, from Canada to Mexico. “In general, Longview has a small-town feel, even though it’s sprawling,” Overton says.
Northlake-Corman is located directly across from Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview.
Willow Grove is a recreational area 6 miles away with access to beaches.
Prices in New West Side generally range from $265,000 to $422,000.
Cascade-City View neighborhood features many tree lined streets.
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Homes in the heart of Longview or overlooking the city
As of 2024, Longview’s median single-family home price is about $380,000 – slightly less than the median price in the U.S., which is about $400,000. “In Longview, you can buy a home for $400,000 that’s pretty nice, whereas in Vancouver, $400,000 is kind of a dump,” Overton says. Some of Longview’s lowest home prices are in the Highlands neighborhood, which borders the industrial sector; here, Craftsman bungalows sell in the $100,000s. Old West Side has century-old, architecturally diverse options, many of which are two-story homes with basements and detached garages. In Cascade-City View and Longview Heights, multilevel and custom homes overlook the city and the Columbia River; from up high, residents can see smokestacks in the distance and catch the scent of pines in the breeze.
Single-family home prices range from about $345,000 to $629,000 in Old West Side.
Beautiful mid-century split levels have lush front yards in Cascade-City View.
Longview Heights contains many new traditional style homes.
Many colonial revival style homes in Old West Side feature stately shutters.
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Easy access to Interstate 5
Longview and its neighboring city, Kelso, blend together; only the Cowlitz River separates them. Kelso offers Interstate 5 access and the nearest Amtrak station; city buses take passengers throughout Kelso and Longview. Downtown Longview is walkable, and neighbors living near Lake Sacajawea Park can take shaded walks or bike rides to the park for events like the Fourth of July fireworks. PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, the region’s only hospital for about 50 miles, is in the center of Longview. The nearest airport is Portland International, about 47 miles away.
Lexington offers access to the Cowlitz River, where anglers can fish year-round.
The Lexington Bridge crosses the Cowlitz River and connects the neighborhood to Interstate 5.
Lake Sacajawea is a mile long man made lake stretching across several neighborhoods.
Longview's PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center is located in New West Side.
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The city’s beloved squirrels
Along the streets of Old West Side, squirrel bridges hang from tall oak trees. Ever since a local architect designed a bridge allowing squirrels to cross streets safely from treetop to treetop, Longview has adopted a strong love for the urban rodent. The first bridge has inspired the annual SquirrelFest celebration and the construction of more squirrel bridges. Every August, SquirrelFest gathers locals for family-friendly games, music and face painting at R.A. Long Square in the center of Longview.
Residents of Old West Side and Longview look forward to Squirrel Fest every August.
Between the trees, residents may spot a squirrel bridge which are unique to Longview.
Might Oak trees line the streets of Old Town West
Longview is known for its squirrel bridges which connect the tree tops across busy streets.
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Small businesses and chain stores downtown
Downtown Longview offers a mix of shopping and dining. Commerce Avenue and surrounding streets are lined with locally owned boutiques and restaurants. The Cowlitz County Farmers Market hosts local businesses and musicians twice a week. The Triangle Center between Ocean Beach Highway and Washington Way contains chain retailers. The city also has a handful of dive bars that have been around for decades.
Downtown Longview is nearby Beacon Hill and offers shopping and dining.
The Cowlitz Community Farmers Market has served the area since 1979.
Longview Heights residents can shop for clothing and home goods at nearby Marshalls.
Columbia Heights East is a quick drive to Triangle Tavern.
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Longview School District’s community gardens
Longview School District is rated B on Niche. With the help of an organization called Lower Columbia School Gardens (LCSG), 19 public schools across Longview and Kelso have implemented their own community gardens. Students learn how to grow produce and distribute it to locals through these school gardens.
R A Long High School
Mark Morris High
Cascade Middle school
Northlake Elementary School
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Walking the loop around Lake Sacajawea
Lake Sacajawea Park, the city’s largest park, borders multiple neighborhoods. When dog walkers and joggers take the loop around the lake, they pass by a Japanese garden, a covered basketball court and trees that turn vibrant colors in the fall. Golfers can choose between the public Mint Valley Golf Course or the private Longview Country Club. A short drive out of the city leads to Willow Grove, a peaceful recreation area along the Columbia River where anglers can launch their boats and fish for steelhead. Mountain bikers and hikers can drive to the trails around Mount St. Helens. This volcanic mountain last erupted in 1980, a historic event that dusted Longview with ash. Eruptions are hard to predict, but earthquake tremors could warn of impending geothermal activity.
Old West Side has a desirable location because it borders Lake Sacajawea.
Residents of Old West Side can stroll to and around Lake Sacajawea.
Japanese Gardens can be found on a small island on the north side of Lake Sacajawea
Lake Sacajawea is the corwn jewel of Longivew and is just south of Northlake-Corman.
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Some neighborhoods have higher crime rates
Other than five months between 2021 and 2023, property and violent crime rates in Longview remained higher than state and national rates, according to FBI statistics. Neighborhoods with higher crime rates include Broadway, Third Avenue and Downtown Longview; several nonprofits in these neighborhoods support the city’s homeless population.
On average, homes in Longview, WA sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Longview, WA over the last 12 months is $390,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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