Woodland offers a small community on the edge of the Portland metro area
As the cities around Portland and Vancouver continue to grow, more and more homebuyers are looking to smaller, peaceful communities along the Columbia River. Just 20 miles north of Vancouver on Interstate 5, Woodland is starting to draw some attention. “Woodland has a number of beautiful view homes, so that’s usually the biggest draw,” says Tracy Burgess, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate with 15 years of experience. “Woodland has sort of been a sleepy community with not much happening, but as Vancouver becomes less affordable, Woodland is now getting some infrastructure. It didn’t have much before in the way of grocery stores and things like that.” The area is home to about 6,500 people and offers a tranquil setting between the Lewis and Columbia rivers. Outdoor recreation and locally owned businesses fill the community, while the proximity to I-5 makes it easy to commute to larger cities for work.
Craftsman and New Traditional homes make up inventory
The interstate is a dividing line for home styles in Woodland. “If you’re on the west side of the freeway, it’s an adorable area of older Craftsman-style homes, and it’s very walkable to the little downtown,” Burgess says. “If you want more acreage or more of a country property, that’s on the east side of the freeway.” Houses on the community’s east side are typically from the 1990s to the 2010s. They are generally New Traditional styles and feature a mix of suburban properties and larger lots of about a quarter-acre. Most houses in the area cost between $370,000 and $740,000. Much of the eastern side of Woodland is prone to flooding along the Lewis River.
River and lake activities offer lots of fun in southern Washington
Water activities are among the most popular recreation in the area. Fishing and boating are available at several sites, including Goerig Park, Paradise Point State Park and Horseshoe Lake. The lake used to be part of the Lewis River until it was cut off by the construction of Highway 99 in the 1940s. Today, it’s stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass and other species. It’s also open for swimming, and Horseshoe Lake Park has playgrounds, a skate park and open lawn space for games. The annual Planters Days festival, held since 1922, takes place at Horseshoe Lake Park. It includes a carnival, parades, fireworks and many more activities. The Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continue the work of their namesake, who created several varieties of lilacs by hybridizing plants. Cedar Creek Grist Mill is another historic site that has been operating since 1876. It is open to visitors on weekends and offers freshly milled flour and cornmeal.
Locally owned shops and restaurants line the streets
Davidson Avenue and Goerig Street in downtown Woodland have locally owned businesses, including pubs and Mexican restaurants. Los Pepe’s is one of the highest-rated eateries in town, known for its margaritas and fajitas. Shops downtown sell everything from fishing gear to clothing. Rosie’s Restaurant is a diner on the east side of I-5 serving classic American fare for breakfast and lunch. Groceries are available at Grocery Outlet or Safeway. Other stores in the area include Walmart, Ace Hardware and Dollar Tree.
Major highways and buses provide commutes to the Portland area
Interstate 5 passes through the middle of Woodland, offering a north-south highway through Washington and Oregon. Vancouver is about 20 miles south, while Portland is about 30 miles away. Burgess says residents can reach these cities in 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Lower Columbia Community Action Program operates buses between Vancouver and Longview, with a park-and-ride station in Woodland.
Woodland schools prepare students for the future
Woodland Public Schools serves the area and has a B-minus rating from Niche. Woodland High School earns a B and offers several ways to earn college credit, including the Running Start program and College in the High School. Students can also prepare for careers with courses in agriculture, architecture, marketing, STEM and more.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
