Lake Oswego, but where else to look? (Portland, West Linn: real estate, new home)

[pod]

Hi, I'm looking at Lake Oswego soon, but would like to know some other places to check out as I'm flying from MA. I like to be in the more "upscale " neighborhoods and wondering what your thoughts are to some other areas similar to that. Land, quiet people, useful town, are all things on my checklist..

thanks for any help.

[PeacePlease]

LO has many neighborhoods.. each has their own feel. Also checkout West Linn and NW Portland and the NW Heights area. It all depends on what you want in a house and in a neighborhood. Some of these neighborhoods have large houses, some look very suburban, and some have cottage like style homes, and some are simply older and well established. Some come with a view and some are surrounded by tall trees.

[pod]

^ thank you for your advice. Is there any area with multi-million dollar houses, the only area I could see so far is Lake Oswego.

[PeacePlease]

I have no idea... I believe Dunthorpe has the most expensive homes in the area..

[Todd.LA]

Lake Oswego on the lake is some of the priciest real estate in metro Portland (there is a big difference between properties that are on the lake and those that are not). Dunthorpe is wedged between SW Portland and Lake Oswego and is also one of the most elite neighborhoods around, with a lot of very large, relatively recently built mansions overlooking the Willamette on big lots. In the city of Portland, the West Hills ring the downtown and have many expensive homes with nice views. The West Hills are more urban and its residents tend to be more "old money" (to the extent that such a concept exists in Portland, a young city) than Lake Oswego, which is more suburban and "new money."

[davefr]

You said you want land. LO tends to be high end homes on regular size lots and I agree that the culture can be characterised as "new money".

I you want a high end home AND some acreage, then you should expand your search to include West Linn (hills), Wilsonville (along the river), maybe Dunthorpe and the Bald Peak/Chehalem Mtn. area.

[lemonbutter]

Riverdale school district is just North of Lake Oswego with VERY exclusive and expensive homes. It is very close in to Portland downtown as well unlike LO which is further south. The school district is A-rated and if you go to RMLS.com™ Regional Multiple Listing Service - Home and type in Riverdale under the "High School" option, you'll probably find that there isn't a single home there that is under $1mil.

[pod]

thank you guys for the information

[nmsegal]

If you're looking at $1.5M+ (for one of the least nice homes in the area), Dunthorpe (aka Riverdale) is your best bet for land. Mixture of old and new homes, typically 4000 sq ft+. But it's a ways out and you're driving everywhere. Close-in west hills (look at Kings Heights, Portland Heights, Greenhills, Council Crest) have older homes, many with great views but city (5000 sq ft) lots. The east side has older great neighborhoods with some gorgeous homes. Highest end is the Alameda ridge which has fabulous views and is walkable to lots of shops, restaurants, neighborhoody, etc.

[Nell Plotts]

Dunthorpe-Riverdale, Council Crest and Kings Heights are where the mansions can be found. More large lots can be found in the Dunthorpe area. The families in these neighborhoods run in the same circles. The advantage of Council Crest and Kings Heights is that the kids don't need a 'driver'.