Neotsu is a quieter coastal community outside Lincoln City
Curving northeast of Devils Lake, Neotsu is a rural community where life revolves around getting out onto nearly 700 acres of placid water. Locals love kayaking and water skiing in their backyards and at East Devils Lake State Park or exploring the nearby wooded hiking trails in the mountains of the Central Oregon Coast Range. You can soak in the scenery and seclusion of coastal Oregon in Neotsu within 15 minutes of the cultural centers, Pacific Ocean beaches, commercial life and commuter hubs of Lincoln City.
Getting out on Devils Lake and the Pacific Ocean
Devils Lake is the scenic centerpiece of Neotsu, whether you’re accessing it from a backyard dock or a public beach. There’s a small, sandy beach at Sand Point Park, where you can swim and picnic at the tip of a woodsy peninsula. East Devil's Lake State Recreation Area is a larger spot for kayakers to launch and anglers to cast for rainbow trout and largemouth bass. There are also hiking trails throughout the recreation area’s fir forests, but locals often head into the nearby Sieuslaw National Forest to more popular hiking destinations like the Drift Creek Falls Trail. To spend time swimming or beachcombing in the Pacific Ocean, you can head to Lincoln City beaches like the D River State Recreation Site.
Vintage cottages and lakefront properties for seasonal dwelling
Homes in many styles and sizes line Neotsu’s waterfront and hide away in pine-forested subdivisions. “There are lakefront homes with docks and cottages with a cute, older style that date back to when Neotsu was a place where people would build a beach home in the '40s,” says Heidi Rogers, a principal broker for Cascade Hasson Sotheby's International Realty. Even if your home isn’t right on Devils Lake, you might still have access to docks for boating and fishing through your HOA. Many buyers live in their homes seasonally, and may even rent their property to people looking for a lakefront getaway.
Prices range widely in Neotsu. Older, smaller cottages can sell in the upper $200,000s, while luxurious lakefront custom homes can go for closer to $1.4 million. Neotsu has a median single-family home price in the lower $400,000s. That’s lower than nearby Lincoln City and Rose Lodge.
Close to Lincoln City’s coastal commercial districts
“You’re really close to town, but you do have a quieter country feel,” says Amy Graham, a principal broker for Taylor & Taylor Realty Company. Locals often drive down U.S. Route 101 to the specialty shops, national retailers and beloved restaurants of Lincoln City. You’re about 5 miles from:
- Kyllo's Seafood & Grill, a popular restaurant where diners enjoy sweeping ocean views
- Mo's Seafood and Chowder, a longtime favorite known for its hearty soup and views of Siletz Bay
- Otis Cafe, a diner famous for homestyle breakfast dishes like German potatoes and molasses bread
- Prehistoric, a shop on the main drag that sells fossils and minerals from around the world
- Lincoln City Outlets, an outdoor shopping center where you’ll find dozens of specialty retailers
Traveling along Oregon’s coast and toward Portland
U.S. Route 101 connects Neotsu to coastal towns like Lincoln City, whether you’re going for a day on the oceanfront or to work at a major employer like Chinook Winds Casino Resort or Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital. You’ll take Highway 18 inland to larger cities like Salem and Portland, which are about an hour and two hours away, respectively. The nearest major international airport is also in Portland. While most people drive to get around rural Lincoln County, you can also access limited Lincoln County Transit bus service on Route 101.
Events on the lake and oceanfront
The Devils Lake Neighborhood Association organizes many community events in Neotsu, including several held in or around Devils Lake. Locals love:
- Independence Day Celebration, multiple days of festivities including a fireworks show over the lake and a boat parade
- Music on the Lake, a series of live music performances on floating docks around the lakefront
Lincoln City is well known for its entertainment destinations, from annual traditions like its two kite festivals to the slot machines and luxury amenities at Chinook Winds Casino Resort.
Nearby schools in the Lincoln County district
Neotsu is part of the Lincoln County School District. While the district serves a vast, rural area, all four schools that students will attend are within 15 minutes of home. While at Taft High School, older students can earn credit at local community colleges by enrolling in career and technical education classes.
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Julia Szymanski
