Oak Hills started out as a master planned community, all the way back in the 1960s. Their concept was ahead of its time, but it took a while for the project to be completed and for people to understand why this was such a great place to live.
Back when it was being built, Oak Hills was in a rural area west of Portland and still not quite next door to Beaverton and Hillsboro
Oak Hills started out as a master planned community, all the way back in the 1960s. Their concept was ahead of its time, but it took a while for the project to be completed and for people to understand why this was such a great place to live.
Back when it was being built, Oak Hills was in a rural area west of Portland and still not quite next door to Beaverton and Hillsboro. These days, of course, it's surrounded by those three larger entities, with little to mark the leaving of one and the entering of the other. The area known as Oak Hills has grown beyond that original development to include some of the homes around it. The proximity to Portland and the West Hills makes it a very desirable place to live. Housing and rent payments reflect that, but the quality of life is such that to residents, it's more than worth it.
Moving to Oak Hills
Most of the entire Portland metro area has less rental housing available at any given time compared to the national average. More people are always wanting to move in than move out and there's not enough new construction to keep up with demand, especially on the west side of the region. Make an early plan and stick with it. Develop a list of your favorite properties and go through it methodically when looking for places to rent in Oak Hills. Understand that a favorable credit check is almost always required, as is first, last, and usually a security deposit.
Neighborhoods in Oak Hills
Somerset West: On the western edge of the community is the area known as Somerset West, which is anchored by Somerset West Park and Swim Center. There are several large complexes close where you can search for apartments for rent.
Elmonica North: Part of the same greater neighborhood as Somerset West, Elmonica North is another planned section with a nice selection of single family homes and townhouses for rent. Nearby is John Marty Park, which is essentially green space near high voltage power lines that has hiking trails and play areas.
Spyglass Park: The northwest part of Oak Hills is bounded by Spyglass Park and Tokola Wetlands Park, near NW West Union Road. Claremont Golf Club is just a bit more to the north and Bethany Village provides a nice mixed use approach to the neighborhood.
Oak Hills / Perimeter Drive: This circular street, with Oak Hills Drive on the south and Perimeter Drive at the north, encircles the main part of Oak Hills. It's mostly homes on lots with mature landscaping that have been in place for some time. There are a few small complexes where you can search for 1 bedroom apartments for rent.
Living in Oak Hills
Is Portland the coolest city in America? Well, that might be a subjective question, but there's no doubt a lot of people want to live here, especially on the West Side, where Oak Hills is located. Technically with a Beaverton address, locals still consider the community to be its own entity. The nearby Sunset Transit Center provides light rail access to the metro area, including the airport. The freeways that are close can be a struggle during rush hour; so more people are turning to the rails. Professional sports like the MLS Portland Timbers and NBA Portland Trail Blazers play downtown, and the food scene is to die for. To the west, it's only a little more than an hour's drive to the spectacular Oregon Coast. Sure, it rains here -- but what many locals would prefer to keep a secret is that it's really not that bad -- and the summers are the best anywhere.