Walkable dining and shopping district in the heart of Longview
In southwest Washington, Longview is a former lumber mill city with a lingering industrial presence and boasting the only hospital for about 50 miles. Downtown Longview is the city’s main shopping and dining center. For such a commercial sector, it’s calm and quiet with no honking car horns. “This is the little downtown hub,” says Kristin Cheatley, River Ridge Real Estate broker born and raised in Longview. “For a while, I was doing a lot of tours for the hospital, trying to attract doctors to come to the area. And when you’re trying to sell them on the area, downtown’s where you bring ‘em.”
Commerce Avenue in Downtown Longview is lined with locally-owned businesses.
Downtown Longview is very walkable and bikeable.
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Locally-owned boutiques and restaurants
Downtown Longview is nearly all commercial with very few homes. The average home value is about $770,000. Commerce Avenue has small businesses and boutiques like Posh on Commerce and JoJo + CoCo. “If you need a new outfit for a wedding, you’re probably gonna start down here, or start at Marshalls and Ross and work your way down here,” Cheatley says. On the other side of Washington Way, the Triangle Center is the place to browse chain retailers like Ross and Marshalls. “But there’s also a lot of online shopping, and a lot of, ‘Oh hey I’m going to run to Portland.’ I feel like I haven’t replenished my wardrobe since pre-COVID.”
Shoppers can also grab groceries at the Triangle Center from WinCo Foods. The Cowlitz Community Farmers Market sets up downtown on Tuesdays. MiLL CiTY GRiLL, a locally owned restaurant decked out with wood-paneled walls and chopped lumber, pays homage to Longview’s start as a 1920s lumber mill town. Residents can get a drink from Keebler Coffee Roasters, a husband-and-wife operation, then walk up Commerce Avenue to Triangle Bowl, a bowling alley that offers all-you-can-eat-pancakes on Sunday mornings.
One of Longview's best boutiques is Posh on Commerce Ave in Downtown Longview.
JoJo + CoCo and a favorite boutique for both men's and women's clothing in Downtown Longview.
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Transportation and resources in Downtown Longview
Downtown Longview is very walkable and bikeable. Washington Way extends diagonally through the neighborhood, separating the blocks of small businesses from the chain retailers. Buses stop at Longview Transit Center, taking passengers throughout Longview and to Kelso, the neighboring city. The nearest airport is Portland International, about 48 miles south down Interstate 5. The closest hospital, PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, borders downtown. The CAP Index crime score for downtown Longview is 6 out of 10, higher than the national figure of 4. Nonprofits like Love Overwhelming and The Salvation Army provide resources to help the homeless population in the area.
Buses stop at Longview Transit Center located in Downtown Longview.
The area's largest hospital, PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center borders Downtown Longview.
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Walking distance from city parks and events
Downtown Longview borders the tip of Lake Sacajawea Park, a popular place to take leisurely walks around the large man-made lake. This 127-acre park hosts city-wide events throughout the year, like summer evening concerts and the December lighted boat parade. Downtown is a block from R.A. Long Square where SquirrelFest, a free family-friendly festival dedicated to Longview’s love of squirrels, takes place every August.
Enjoy picnics and leisure at Lake Sacajawea East Play Area, surrounded by lush greenery.
Lake Sacajawea Park borders Downtown Longview and offers peaceful places to relax.
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Longview School District’s community gardens
Students may attend Northlake Elementary, rated B-minus on Niche, Cascade Middle, rated C-plus and Mark Morris High, rated B. Northlake Elementary was the first of 19 area schools to implement community gardens. Local volunteers partner with the Longview School District to maintain these school gardens.
Northlake Elementary led the way as the first of 19 local schools to adopt community gardens.
GreatSchools:
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Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
