High-tech Jobs Lure Families to Beaverton’s Burbs
A haven for aficionados of mid-century modern architecture, Cedar Hills is a suburban community that’s grown alongside some of Oregon's most successful corporations. “It’s a great mix of retired people out walking dogs and visiting with neighbors, and parents walking their children to school,” says Shelley Lucas, Lead Broker with the Trusted REALTOR® Group at The Agency Portland. A neighborhood that began in the late 1940s as part of a planned development in the then-rural outskirts of Portland, it’s now becoming a busy community that is populated by the tech and sportswear workers of the region, where names like Tektronix, Columbia Sportswear, Intel and Nike – whose world headquarters are located on the eastern border – are often dropped as neighbors converse about work in their front yards.
Mid-century Modern Single-floor Living
“Cedar Hills is a little more expensive than other neighborhoods because it is a highly coveted area with wide streets and many one-level mid-century modern homes,” says Lucas. She would know, as she has lived in Cedar Hills and neighboring West Slope since 2006, and on top of selling there, she has also helped remodel mid-century homes in the community while keeping them faithful to the original design. Single-level ranch-style homes from the 1950s and 1960s comprise much of the housing. Manicured lots and attached garages sit back from the quiet streets as wide sidewalks crisscross the community. Condos here often go for $175,000 to $400,000, providing an entry point into the neighborhood. Single-level ramblers from the mid-century and contemporary multi-story properties sell for between $375,000 and $750,000. Custom builds from the 2000s are rare but can sell for $800,000 up to $1.5 million. Homes don’t go up for sale too often, Lucas says, “One of the wonderful things about the area is that many people here age in place; they’re there until the end.” This means that once homes hit the market they move fast, regularly selling in less than a month.
Some of the Top Public Schools in the Portland Region
Schools in the Beaverton School District, rated as the best district in Washington County by Niche, serve the students of Cedar Hills. “We see a really great diverse community of people aging in place and then new families coming in to put their kids in the schools,” says Lucas. Many will attend William Walker Elementary School, rated a B-minus by Niche, while some will attend Ridgewood or Barnes, rated as an A and a B-minus, respectively. Barnes Elementary features a student-tended garden with flowers and vegetables that is a big part of community pride. Barnes students will then head to Meadow Park Middle School, rated an A, while Walker and Ridgewood students will attend Cedar Park Middle School, which gets an A-minus and offers a special environmental science program that provides opportunities for service learning through community projects. Beaverton High School is in the heart of Beaverton and gets a B-plus – on top of standard paths, it offers elective pathways focused on career goals in areas including digital media, engineering and healthcare. The district also offers magnet programs, including the International School of Beaverton, the Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering, and the Arts and Communication Magnet Academy.
Recreation and Getting Into Nature
Play areas and nature combine across the parks of Cedar Hills. Cedar Hills Recreation Center and Cedar Hills Park are at the heart of the neighborhood, with indoor and outdoor activities, including tennis, weights and a playground for children. “Commonwealth Lake Park has a pond that kids fish in and a walking trail around it. It’s mostly a duck pond, but you see people fishing sometimes,” says Lucas, who also mentions that Foot Hills Park is popular for basketball and tennis. Just south of the neighborhood, Tualatin Hills Nature Park offers educational programs, with 5 miles of trails weaving between massive old-growth ash and oak trees through the 222-acre tract. It’s a great place to catch glimpses of local wildlife – in fact, it’s one of the few parks in the region that prohibit dogs to protect the native fauna.
Cedar Hills Crossing Offers a Convenient Stop for Retail and Dining
“Cedar Hills Crossing has many great restaurants including Elephants Deli, Wildfin, Oswego Grill, Milo Sushi, and Salt & Straw,” says Lucas, “I love the homemade soups and focaccia at Elephants Deli!” It’s a lively shopping and dining center that caters to various tastes, including global cuisines at Karam Lebanese Deli and Catering, Dough Zone Dumpling House and Bamboo Sushi. McMenamins, one of the original Portland craft brewpubs, also has a location here, pouring their handcrafted ales and ciders alongside pub fare with Oregonian twists, like their Electric Seoul fusion tacos. Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing is a legendary bookstore that draws booklovers from across the country. The shopping center is also home to New Seasons Market and WinCo Foods for grocery needs – a little further into Beaverton, the Beaverton Town Square is home to Trader Joe’s for more groceries, as well as Fred Meyer, Target, and The Home Depot for general home needs.
Hoa Events and Beaverton Puts on a Show
Residents get to enjoy a variety of events, from local neighborhood get-togethers to city-supported events. “The Cedar Hills Homes Association puts on a 4th of July Parade and Halloween Parade,” says Lucas. In the center of town, Beaverton Music Fest is a big draw in August, while the Legendary Makers Market celebrates Asian American culture in Oregon, the largest night market in the state. In addition to the vendors of the Market, events including film screenings and performances take place over the three-day event in July. The year culminates with the Beaverton Winter Lights and Tree Lighting in December.
