There are so many great neighborhoods in Lake Oswego, how do you decide if you’re planning on moving here?

One suggestion is to read some of my earlier blogs on Lake Oswego neighborhoods here, here, and here.

It also helps to know what’s important to you. For Natalie Bennon, Willamette River access was one of the things she and her family were looking for when they moved to Lake Oswego, bringing Hallinan neighborhood to the top of her list. She uses the trail that runs along the Oswego Creek to George Rogers Park to get her river fix when she needs it.

But since settling into the Hallinan neighborhood, Bennon has found other reasons to love where she lives as have many of her neighbors.

1. Abundance of nature. Besides the Oswego Creek trail, Bennon also enjoys walking through the Hallinan Woods on the way to and from Hallinan Elementary School. An active Friends of Hallinan Heights Stewardship Volunteer Party meet regularly to preserve the neighborhood’s natural beauty from planting sword ferns in Freepons Park woods to removing invasive species from trees in the Cornell Natural Area.
2. Safety. When she lived in Southeast Portland, Bennon felt she had to keep her kids on a short leash when they played outside. “The Hallinan neighborhood feels very safe,” she explains, and finds herself extending that leash much further.
3. Civic Mindedness. Perhaps it’s the size of Lake Oswego, but Bennon has found neighbors very invested in making their community a better place. Whether it’s in the school district or in the neighborhood association, Hallinan residents look for ways to engage. “You feel like you can have an impact,” Bennon explains. And it’s small enough, she points out that you can actually get to know your City Council members.
4. Friendliness. Hallinan is a user-friendly place. People are out walking their dogs, playing at the playground at Hallinan School, throwing block parties in the summer. “And there are tons of kids,” Bennon explains, making it a great spot for families with young children to call home.
5. Location. Depending where you live in the neighborhood, you can find yourself within walking distance to shopping and dining either at the corner of McVey and South Shore (Lamb’s Palisades Marketplace, Curry in a Hurry) or along State Street near Old Town and the Lakewood Center (Lake Theater and Café, Senor Taco, Nicoletta’s Table).

I’d like to add a sixth item: Affordability. While there is a high end range in the Hallinan neighborhood with homes over $1 million, there are more affordable homes available as well. There are five pending sales right now between $575,00 (for a 2 bedroom 2.1 bath) and $799,950 (for a 3 bedroom 2.1 bath). In the last six months there have been 33 sales between $441,000 (for a 4 bedroom 2 bath home at 2,123 square feet) and $1,569,000 (for a 4 bedroom 4.2 bath home at 5,922 square feet). The average sales price was $648,000. It’s a desirable spot, however, and it helps to be working with a Realtor who knows what you want and can give you a heads-up as soon as he hears of something. Give me a call at 503.939.9801 or check my website if you’re interested.