A sense of privacy near downtown Portland in Raleigh Hills
Luxury homes, spacious properties and verdant recreational areas line the streets of Raleigh Hills, a walkable community around 6 miles southwest of downtown Portland. “Raleigh Hills has almost a rural feeling even though you’re within city limits,” says Kate Farrand, a community resident and employee of the Garden Home Community Library. “A lot of families live in the area. People are attracted to the forested feel and privacy between neighbors while still being close to downtown.”
A diverse housing market and large lots
Mature trees line the residential streets of Raleigh Hills, with a wide array of home styles and price points throughout the area. Most houses sit on quarter-acre to full-acre lots, and many yards have established tree growth and thick greenery. Fenced-in backyards and attached two-car garages are common. Modest ranch-style homes and split levels can go for $450,000 to $810,000. Multi-story builds and larger homes with recent renovations are common in Raleigh Hills, from Colonial Revivals to modern traditional homes, and tend to sell between $850,000 and $2 million, with a few estate-style homes on large lots reaching over $3 million. Condos range from $225,000 to $530,000.
Middle school extracurriculars and career-based learning
Local students may attend Raleigh Hills Elementary School, which earns a B-plus overall grade from Niche. Also with a B-plus, Whitford Middle School has a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including clubs centered around journaling, art and Dungeons & Dragons. The B-rated Beaverton High School offers 5 career-based education pathways ranging from digital media to health careers. High Schoolers can take dual enrollment courses through Portland Community College. The West Slope Community Library lies along 78th Avenue and has been serving the area for over 50 years.
Miles of hiking trails and sports facilities near Raleigh Hills
In Raleigh Hills, most neighbors are within walking distance of a park, recreation center or golf course. In the Raleighwood Wetlands Natural Area, visitors can spot blue herons, and belted kingfishers while walking alongside Johnston Creek. The 16-acre Raleigh Park has facilities for baseball, tennis, basketball and soccer, along with a playground and paved walking trails. The Raleigh Swim Center is located in the park and offers a 25-yard outdoor pool in the summer months. The members-only Portland Golf Club was established in 1914 and is home to an 18-hole championship course, a pool and racquetball courts. The 5,200-acre Forest Park is a short drive from the neighborhood and is the largest public recreation area in Portland, with over 80 miles of hiking trails.
Nearby shopping and community staples
Scholls Ferry Road and the Beaverton Hillsdale Highway run through the center of Raleigh Hills and are lined with shopping centers, chain eateries and local businesses. McMenamins Raleigh Hills Pub is a local favorite serving Northwest-style pub fare. “McMenamins is a Portland chain that buys old historic buildings and turns them into restaurants and movie theaters,” says Farrand. Old Market Pub & Brewery offers pizza, handhelds and wings. Patrons can enjoy a draft beer or cocktail while playing a game of pool or shuffleboard. Nearby grocery stores include Trader Joe’s, New Seasons Market and Fred Meyer.
Traveling around Portland via TriMet or U.S. 26
U.S. Route 26 sits just north of Raleigh Hills and spans around 6 miles east to downtown Portland. Commuters are within a 7-mile drive of major employers like Nike, Intel and Google, among others. TriMet operates the area’s bus routes, with stops throughout the community on Scholls Ferry Road and the Beaverton Hillsdale Highway. There’s also the MAX Light Rail System, and Portlanders can take the Red Line from Beaverton to Portland International Airport.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
