Bordering Portland, West Haven-Sylvan is one of the city’s closest suburbs, serving as a transition point to a quieter lifestyle with an agrarian history. “My grandparents moved here in 1926, and they had a goat dairy farm here. It was very rural, just farms here and there,” says Ed Blatter, owner of Cornell Farm Cafe. Now the area’s hills are lined with residential roads of single-family homes, widely developed in the 1960s. These are surrounded by canopies of red alders and maple trees, all within 5 miles of Portland’s largest and most famous parks: Forest Park and Washington Park. The area’s access to nature is one of its biggest draws, where dense greenery is home to outdoorsy types and wildlife. “People can have big animals, deer or coyotes, run up the street,” says Sue Galt, owner of the Little Store and resident of the area.
Cedar Mill Falls in West Haven-Sylvan is a part of the natural beauty of the area..
The Jordan Woods Natural Area in West Haven-Sylvan is almost 19 acres of recreational area.
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Hiking right in the community, plus quick access to Forest and Washington parks
Dense with trees, West Haven-Sylvan appeals to those who want to be able to hike right outside their homes. “There are these really cool cut-through paths, these little gravel paths that aren’t marked. They’re just embedded throughout the neighborhood,” says Jessica Corcoran, a local resident and Realtor with Eleete Real Estate. “You can take these walks up the hill to the higher areas with beautiful vistas.” Many locals bring their dogs on strolls throughout the trail system, which leads to neighborhood parks like Mitchell Park. This recreation space offers a baseball field, tennis courts and basketball courts. Just 5 miles away, many enjoy the proximity to Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the United States. “It’s close to Forest Park and a bird sanctuary. There are trails for running, walking and birdwatching,” says Realtor Brad Wulf, resident of West Haven-Sylvan for about a decade. The suburb is even closer to Washington Park, beloved for the Portland Japanese Garden and International Rose Test Garden.
West Haven-Sylvan is locate less than 5 miles from the 30 Mile Long Wildwood Trail in Forest Park.
West Haven-Sylvan is located a short Max train ride from Washington Park above downtown Portland.
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Spacious yards with ranch-style and contemporary homes in West Haven-Sylvan
Southwest Barnes Road cuts through the southern part of West Haven-Sylvan, offering retail, condo communities and apartment buildings. North of this thoroughfare is the bulk of the community — winding streets that ascend through hilly terrain, where single-family homes come with larger lots in a wooded suburban setting. “There’s privacy and room to spread out on the lots without an HOA,” Corcoran says. With the extra space, many of the yards are landscaped with Japanese maples and sculpted boxwood shrubs.
Many of the homes were built in the 1950s and ‘60s, and ranch-style homes are common. However, the northern part of West Haven-Sylvan has plenty of contemporary architecture, with homes from the 1980s and ‘90s. The median sales price in the area is $650,000. On average, homes stay on the market for 38 days, compared to the national average of 45 days. “When homes are priced right where they should be, they typically go pending quickly and pending with multiple offers. People move into the neighborhood and stay, especially with the older homes having bedrooms on the main level,” Corcoran says.
Rapid growth characterizes the largely residential area of West Haven-Sylvan.
Contemporary traditional homes are a popular home style in West Haven-Sylvan.
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Locally owned businesses, including Cornell Farm Cafe and Amaterra Winery
In West Haven-Sylvan, there are a few local businesses that foster community. Cornell Farm Cafe is a family-owned plant nursery and brunch spot on the town’s south side. “The cafe has events: plant swaps, a solstice event every year and a number of terrarium and bonsai classes,” Blatter says. Amaterra Winery, in the eastern half of town, offers a high-end feel, from a waterfall to a deck overlooking the West Hills. “I was there last night and the night before. It’s very wonderfully done, with live music, event space and views. Most of our other wineries, you have to drive 30 to 45 minutes to get to,” Wulf says. In the heart of town, the Little Store is a family-owned convenience store, while the closest grocery store is the QFC in the West Hills Plaza strip mall.
The Little Store in West Haven-Sylvan is a family-owned convenience store.
The closest grocery store to West Haven-Sylvan is the QFC in the West Hills Plaza strip mall.
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A prime location only 5 miles to downtown Portland
Prized for its proximity, West Haven-Sylvan is about 5 miles west of downtown Portland via U.S. Highway 26. “It’s the number one location; you are at this perfect spot where you can hop right over the hill to downtown Portland and right over the bridge to the east side. The other way is 217, so you can easily get out to Beaverton, or take 26 out to the coast,” Corcoran says. For jobs close to home, the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center is in the south side of the community, plus Intel and Nike are also in the westside suburbs. Along Northwest Barnes Road, there are multiple TriMet bus stops, and there’s a light rail station right in town. For farther travel, Portland International Airport is located about 15 miles away.
West Haven-Sylvan reesidents can
take the MAX, bike or drive to nearby downtown Portland.
One of the largest employers near West Haven-Sylvan is Nike in nearby Beaverton.
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Beaverton School District and Portland Public Schools
The area is served by two school districts, including Beaverton School District, which has an A-minus rating on Niche. Serving approximately 39,000 students, the district has a student-teacher ratio of 18-to-1. Portland Public Schools has a B-plus rating and a student-teacher ratio of 16-to-1.
West Haven-Sylvan is served by two school districts, including Beaverton School District
Sunset High School serves students in the Cedar mill neighborhood of West Haven-Sylvan.
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Crime and the environment of West Haven-Sylvan
The Washington County Sheriff's Office serves the community. Currently, crime rates are unavailable. West Haven-Sylvan has four seasons, from warm summers to cool winters with only a few weeks of snow each year. The community has an air quality risk because of the nearby hospital and highway.
Written By
Anna Anderson
Photography Contributed By
Brian Lee
Video By
GL Moses
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Katie Sengstake,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in West Haven-Sylvan, OR sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in West Haven-Sylvan, OR over the last 12 months is $715,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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