In my series exploring the neighborhoods and suburbs of the Portland area, this month I’m highlighting Oregon City. As you’ll see, I’m sharing the values and character of the area from my childhood that still endure today. I hope you enjoy it.
When my mother decided to move our family from West Linn to Oregon City, she wasn't following a real estate trend. She was following her instincts. What she found was a home nestled among towering Douglas firs, set on a half acre backed by open fields and perched at the top of a forested creek valley. For a kid who had grown sedentary in our old apartment, eating too many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches washed down with chocolate milk, it was a revelation.
Oregon City’s McLoughlin Promenade
That creek valley became my classroom. Thick moss draped every branch. Ferns filled every gap in the forest floor. The creek itself was alive with fish darting through the current and freshwater clams tucked into the stream bed.
Similar to what the creek looked like from my childhood in Oregon City
By the time I was twelve, Oregon City revealed itself in a different way, from the seat of a BMX bike. My best friend and I covered every inch of that town. We found the parks, the trails threading between neighborhoods, and the routes that wound safely down to the Clackamas River. What we learned the hard way was the city's dramatic geography.
Oregon City sits on a bluff with several prominent cliff faces and an elevation gain of roughly 500 feet from the riverbank to the “Top of the Hill”. Our legs became very strong with all the constant climbing.
Whenever we could, we'd take the historic Oregon City Municipal Elevator near Singer Hill Bluff, to spare ourselves at least one section of the climb back home. That elevator, still free and still running today, is one of the city's most charming quirks and a genuine point of pride for locals.
The public elevator in Oregon City Est. May 1955
We also spent time at Clackamas Community College, a beautiful campus that felt almost too inviting for a couple of kids on bikes daring each other to jump the concrete steps. After high school, I enrolled there myself and was grateful every day that it was practically in my backyard.
For buyers with young families or older children eyeing higher education, the college remains a tremendous community asset, offering an affordable on ramp to a four year degree just minutes from home.
The community college steps my friend and I jumped on our BMX bikes as boys.
Growing up, Oregon City had a rare quality that's hard to manufacture. It had a country feel with real city convenience. We had a roller skating rink, an outdoor movie theater, open fields where we rode dirt bikes, and parks scattered throughout neighborhoods that felt safe and genuinely neighborly. My sister and our friends roamed freely, to the river, through the trails, and across the vistas that open up dramatically. It was the kind of childhood that required space, and Oregon City provided it.
Some things have changed. The outdoor movie theater is gone. Several of the open fields we explored are now developed. The old skating rink has become an indoor movie theater. But the bones of what made Oregon City special remain intact. The parks are still there. The community college is still there. The Clackamas River corridor still offers some of the best outdoor access in the metro area. A new high school serves the community, and a growing number of shops, restaurants and amenities have arrived without erasing the laid back character that defines the place.
Oregon City Bridge constructed in 1922
For buyers considering Oregon City:
The natural setting is real. Forested lots, creek valleys, and hillside properties with sweeping views aren't marketing language. They are part of everyday life here.
The community has roots. Oregon City is the oldest incorporated city west of the Rockies, and that history gives it a depth of character that newer suburbs simply don't have.
Outdoor access is exceptional. The Clackamas River, forest trails, neighborhood parks, and the dramatic bluff topography create an environment where kids and adults stay active naturally.
It's more affordable than it should be. Given its proximity to Portland, roughly 20 to 30 minutes on I-205, along with its historic downtown and natural beauty, Oregon City consistently offers more home for the money than comparable suburbs.
Oregon's tax picture matters. There is no state sales tax, which helps at the register, but Oregon carries a notable state income tax. Property taxes in Clackamas County are moderate, and Measure 50 protects long term owners from sharp assessment increases.
Do your due diligence on older homes. Many of the most characterful properties, the craftsman homes and mid century ranches, may carry older plumbing or lead paint. A thorough inspection is essential.
For my family, my mother didn't buy a house in Oregon City. She bought us a childhood. For the right family, that's still exactly what Oregon City is selling.
🏆 Latest Win
After my client Kevin sold his home in Oregon City, I was able to help him purchase this amazing Molalla property. With an expansive home on 19 beautiful acres, he plans to build a barn for country-style weddings. I am happy to see him launch this new business doing what he enjoys most — taking care of people.
What’s next: Next month I'll be diving into West Linn. If you have questions about the area or anywhere else in the Portland region, reach out anytime.
As always, thanks for being in my corner. I don't take it lightly that you let me show up in your inbox.
And if someone in your world is thinking about buying or selling, I’d love to help them out. Feel free to connect me with them.
See you out there,
9755 SW Barnes Rd Ste 560 Portland, OR 97225.
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