Old Evergreen Highway

Old Evergreen Highway sounds like a name out of a postcard, one look around and you will see the name fits the bill. “It’s absolutely lovely here,” says Rowena Lusby of Windermere Northwest Living. “The open spaces and trees are beautiful, it’s just such a quality place to live.” Lusby goes on to explain that Old Evergreen Highway is a diverse and inclusive community that has a lot less traffic than some of the more hectic suburbs, and the advantages don’t stop there. “There’s no state income tax in Washington,” explains Lusby. “You will get a lot of people who come from Oregon over the river for that purpose alone.”

Many of the homes in the area are dotted off the Southeast Evergreen Highway and come with plenty of space. A four-bedroom on a 10,000-square-foot lot runs nearly $700,000, while bungalow-style cottages on .29 acres are in the $900,000 neighborhood. For newer, larger builds with scenic views of the Columbia River, homes range from $1.5 to $3.5 million. The spacious lots are shaded by mature evergreen trees, and the Washington rain assures that the lawns are green all year long. The roads are winding and many end in dead ends or cul-de-sacs, leading to the quiet and secluded nature of the neighborhood. You won’t see many cars on the streets as many homes have garages, and you also won’t see many walkers on the steep hilled roads.

Students enter the Evergreen Public Schools district, beginning at Fishers Landing Elementary. Fishers Landing earned an A-minus rating from Niche and leads into the B-plus rated Shahala Middle School. Students then move to the A-minus-rated Mountain View High School. Known for its excellent music program, Mountain View has four ensemble bands and received the 2017 Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award from the National Band Association.

There is plenty of greenery so Old Evergreen residents will always feel close to nature. Wildwood Park is located right off Lewis and Clark Highway and provides the neighborhood with a large picnic area and playground equipment. Education moves outdoors at Columbia Springs. For over 20 years, residents have visited the 100-acre education center to learn about biology and environmental science. Each year, thousands of students come to learn about salmon and trout hatchery, while also enjoying the fish-feeding ponds and large nature trails. Residents also visit the Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum to take in the colorful flowers and take a moment to meditate or read on one of the many benches.

There are plenty of dining options just a mile north of the neighborhood on I-205. Since its opening in 2011, Breakfast at Valerie’s has become an Old Evergreen staple. Biscuits and gravy and corned beef hash are specialties, but Valerie’s also offers a fully customizable breakfast, so you’ll always get what you want. Jerusalem Café serves up authentic and fresh Mediterranean dishes like garlic chicken and saniha. For Thai favorites like drunken noodle and salmon panang head to Thai Terrace. For a twist on a favorite, head to NYC Pizza and try the Paneer Indian Pizza with tandoori chicken, ginger and roasted garlic. For traditionalists, NYC also offers classic pies and beer on draft.

Old Evergreen residents have no shortage of grocery options. For the shopper looking for organic options, Trader Joe’s provides an option to those looking to phase out unsustainable foods. Chuck’s Produce & Street Market is the spot to gather local produce for a quality dinner at home. Chuck’s also has a large cheese selection and offers a full-service deli. Stocking up on a full week’s worth of groceries is easy, as Safeway is just one mile north of the neighborhood offering plenty of trusted national brands. For everything else, Walmart Supercenter at Mill Plain Plaza has you covered. The Vancouver Mall is just four miles up I-205 to satisfy your shopping needs.

Written By

John Moyer

Photography Contributed By

John Othic

Video By

Jahlil Harris