Southwest Hills, Portland

In Southwest Portland, the Southwest Hills refer to the neighborhoods perched atop the West Hills, or Tualatin Mountains. This neighborhood feels classy and expensive, and seems like a beautiful place to live, if you can afford it.

The Southwest Hills area of Portland is home to some of the largest, most upscale homes in the city. Depending on which part of the neighborhood you are in, your home may offer a glimpse of downtown Portland, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, or Mt. Saint Helens. As you'd expect, these homes are inhabited by married professionals with college educations and the sort of white-collar jobs that enable them to afford to live here. There are a few scattered apartments and condos for those who are set on living in Southwest Hills but can't afford the expansive homes this area is known for.

Residents of Southwest Hills enjoy access to beautiful parks. The neighborhood is very close to Washington City Park, which is where the Oregon Zoo, Arboretum, Rose Garden, and many other city landmarks are located. Southwest Hills itself is home to Council Crest Park, which offers stunning views and a great place to lay in the grass and relax.

Though there are a few schools in and around the neighborhood, most of the kids seem to go to private schools. Residents here tend to keep to themselves, and don't spend much time in the neighborhood itself, instead preferring to jump into their luxury cars and drive elsewhere in the city. Because the area is so hilly, with so many winding roads, it is not ideal for pedestrians. However, it is very close to downtown for an easy commute -- you won't even have to hop on the freeway!

Southwest Hills is a bit of a ritzy area. Most homes are very large, and I would say that most residents are pretty rich. So if you are struggling to pay for your mortgage, this probably isn't the place for you. However, if you can afford it, this neighborhood has a ton to offer including awesome views, grand old homes and really good schools. I also have read that there are lots of events just for the community.

It also is situated in a pretty convenient spot. Washington Park is just down the hill, so you can easily enjoy all the activities there including the Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Gardens, Portland Zoo and Arboretum. You are also just a short drive away from downtown. Also the views show a terrific expanse of downtown and/or the mountains. In Southwest Hills, you are up just high enough to appreciate all of this beauty!

There are also a variety of parks in this area (as Portland is so good about parks) including Council Crest Park, Governor's Park and Marquam Nature Park.