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Southwest Hills

Southwest Hills

Suburban Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

Multnomah County 97201, 97221

Neighborhood Reviews
3.8
$1,149,637 Average Value
$355 Average Price per Sq Ft
59 Homes For Sale

A sprawling community of forest, parks and a suburban feel

As the name suggests, Southwest Hills is an idyllic residential neighborhood on Portland’s west side. Most of the neighborhood is separated from Central Portland by the Tualatin Mountains, which can make it feel like it’s not part of a city at all. “It’s a very beautiful area, with lots of trees and lush nature,” says Realtor Cassandra Marks of Realtor Cas, who has more than five years of experience. There is hardly any shopping in the area; instead, folks get a taste of the rural lifestyle. But for most locals, that’s the whole point. The neighborhood feels secluded, yet nearly every home is within a 10-minute drive of Downtown or the shops of Southwest Portland and Hillsdale. This is one reason why many business executives choose Southwest Hills.

Elevated views and prices for Southwest Hills' homes

Residential streets ebb and flow along the edge of Route 26, with ample forest area filling in the gaps. “Since it’s on the west side of Portland, it’s still the city, but the neighborhood has a little more nature along with the suburban,” says Marks. Houses here include the usual bungalows and ranchers, but there are also mansions in the Colonial Revival style and more modern builds. Terraced streets of varying elevations lend a clue to this neighborhood’s name, with houses of all sorts available. Buyers can certainly choose a home with a better view of Downtown, but at a price. With homes going for more than the national average and Portland, folks can expect to pay between $600,000 and $1.6 million for a single-family dwelling.

Plenty to do outdoors southwest of Downtown Portland

What the neighborhood may lack in shopping, it makes up for in green space. Southwest Hills is home to some of the most popular parks in Portland and some of the most highly regarded urban trails in the nation. On top of this, many of these spaces are connected via the Marquam Trail, which cuts through the neighborhood and allows hikers to go from one park to another. The most famous of the many local parks is Washington Park, which has just about anything you could ask for. Washington Park has it all, from playgrounds and trails to a Japanese garden and arboretum, which accompany stunning views of the cityscape. That’s all without mentioning the Oregon Zoo, home to over 2,500 animals. “People love going there,” explains Marks. “They host events with all sorts of lightings, and even beer tastings for adults.” Kids can find endless entertainment with the zoo’s scavenger hunts and keeper talks, which are engaging and educational.

Getting the grade in Southwest Hills

Students in Southwest Hills can attend Ainsworth Elementary, which earns an impressive A-minus from Niche. West Sylvan Middle makes the same grade. Over 400 students at Mountainside High participate in one performing arts program or another. These Maverick musicians can choose between marching band, symphonic band, pit orchestra and more. The school earns an A overall from Niche. For higher education, both Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University are a short drive away.

Head to Downtown Portland for the action

Downtown Portland is renowned for its plethora of events. Stand-up comedy, live music, and LGBTQ+ pride are just some highlights of the Downtown lifestyle. Full calendars of current and seasonal happenings are available online.

Navigating Southwest Hills

While there’s no light rail in Southwest Hills (and just a single entrance to Sunset Highway, which borders the neighborhood to the north), many bus stops are scattered throughout. The neighborhood’s trail system also makes nearby employers such as Oregon Health & Science University conveniently walkable.

Dining closer to Downtown

Restaurants are out of reach in Southwest Hills. That said, folks can still stop into Vista Spring Café for a quick slice. As one would expect, Downtown is a popular hub for good eats. Local favorites like Blue Star Donuts and Cheryl’s on 12th are just some of the varieties offered. Groceries lie in the opposite direction along Route 10, where shoppers can choose between the Fred Meyer and New Seasons Market.
Andrew Moreno
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Elizabeth James
Photography Contributed By
Elizabeth James
Stewart Taveras
Video By
Stewart Taveras

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Katie Sengstake, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Portland International

24 min drive

Bus

SW 18th & Elizabeth

Bus

SW Patton & Old Orchard

Bus

SW Vista & Broadway

Bus

SW Patton & Montgomery

Bus

2600 Block SW Ravensview

Bus

SW Vista & Isabella

Bus

SW Spring & Vista

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.8 2 Reviews
4.0 Niche User
2/21/2016 Niche Review
Very little crimes, except there seems to have been an increase in car break-ins recently.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Southwest Hills US
Homicide 3 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Southwest Hills Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,062,500
Median Sale Price
$995,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,225,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$685,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$299,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Last 12 months Home Sales
89
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$355

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,867
Number of Homes for Sale
59
Median Year Built
1952
Months of Supply
8.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,550
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,615
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,278
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
722
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Katie Sengstake, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,804
Median Age
44
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$151,295
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$174,442

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.6%
College Graduates
79.3%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
41%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.5%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
1''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

46 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

15 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

57 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Southwest Hills