One of Portland’s most affluent suburbs, the city of Lake Oswego shows like a painting: lakes, rivers, and towering evergreens; colorful flower boxes everywhere; chateau architecture, snow-covered Mt. Hood in the distance, and a classic spacious small town feel.

Lake Oswego is a 3-1/2 mile man made lake, with a dock at the east end that allows boaters to disembark and enjoy the city’s fine restaurants and cultural life. With about 38,400 residents, real estate in Lake Oswego is considered some of the most sought-after property in all of Oregon. About 8-1/2 miles southwest of  Portland (which was named America’s Best Big City by Money magazine), Lake Oswego has great schools, an appreciation for arts and culture, an exceptionally low crime rate, and NO sales tax. And the location can’t be beat – you can be in Portland’s city center within 15 minutes. Drive west for about 90 minutes and you’re at the ocean. Drive east for 90 minutes and ski on Mt. Hood. The climate is temperate, with averages in the 40s in the winter and 70s in the summer.

Housing types vary from single family dwellings with high pitched gable roofs, to sprawling estates, to condos and townhouses. Average household income is about $110,000, and median home prices are about $350,000. Professions within the area include education, healthcare, and social services. Most Lake Oswegans commute to Portland for work.

Few would argue that this affluent city is set in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Towering trees, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and rivers all work their magic on locals and visitors alike. And if you’re an outdoor enthusiast – and you will be if you live here – Portland can’t be beat. Within the city we have over 40 miles of hiking trails and 200 parks that just begged to be walked. Flowers are planted everywhere. You can drive an hour east and ski Mt. Hood practically year round, or drive 90 minutes west and enjoy the ocean.Portland enjoys all the arts and culture of any major city, including numerous festivals that draw visitors from around the world, and yet our half-a-million residents manage to maintain a strong sense of community. Education is a principle focus, with several universities and colleges in the area. Our dining and shopping are fantastic, and there is NO sales tax.Remember: Those are just some of the reasons Portland was named America’s Best Big City. We haven’t even talked about the friendly people, our world class microbreweries, vineyards, and coffee houses.Portland was once known as America's best kept secret, but for the last 20 years it has been consistently listed among the best places to live, work and play. Thanks to strong city planning, including a height restriction on building, nature remains the principle focus. Early city council members effectively drew a line around the metropolitan area, and left plenty of farmland and open spaces around it. Traffic congestion is held at bay by excellent light rail transportation, buses, and trolleys. Major employers Nike and Intel make their home base here, along with over 1,700 other technology outfits and manufacturing/distributing companies. The lumber industry is still a major exporter, just as it was when Portland was first founded back in the 1800s. And because the Port of Portland, situated on the Willamette River, is one of the top 5 auto import centers in America, AND we have no sales tax, the auto industry is a large part of the Portland economy.

In a city of only 24,000 people, West Linn has no less than 23 parks, comprising almost 300 acres. Even Nature Conservancy has protected parklands. The Camassia Natural Area, a prehistoric floodland that is home to rare plants and grasses, draws tourists and biology students from  around the world.

Skateboarding daredevils will tell you that West Linn is best known for its skate park, a concrete haven set among the evergreens. Whatever the enjoyment, be it cultural life and dining opportunities in Portland, trekking through rich nearby forests, or kayaking the Tualatin River, West Linn residents love coming home.