Beaverton, Oregon: Portland’s Top Suburb 2021

It would be difficult to name a more quintessentially Oregon suburb than Beaverton. Inspired by Oregon’s state mammal which also adorns our flag, the word “Beaverton” aptly describes the city next door to Portland, surrounded by nature and thriving with industry. 

Beaverton Oregon Basics

Beaverton is a popular suburb because of its proximity to Portland, its stand-alone qualities as Oregon’s sixth-largest city, as well as great schools, many acres of parks and natural areas, and a strong economy. 

Beavertonians who commute to Portland travel an average of 7 miles, or 20 minutes by car. The area is also serviced by the MAX Blue Line (light rail), which carries over 55,000 people on an average weekday between downtown Portland and Beaverton, and continuing out to Hillsboro. 

The current population of Beaverton stands somewhere around 98,000 people, pending 2020 census data. After Portland, it’s the biggest city in Washington County.

Beaverton consistently earns local and national acclaim as one of the best places to live in Oregon and in the country. Some of the accolades include:

• Named #12 Best Place to Live in the US by Money Magazine in 2017 (and it made the top-100 list in 2019 and 2016)
• Ranked as one of the Top 25 Suburbs to Retire in the US by Forbes.com in 2014
• In its 2020 rankings, Niche.com lists Beaverton as the #2 Most Diverse Suburb in the Portland Area (after Hillsboro), the #11 Best Suburb in Oregon and the #5 Best Suburb for Young Professionals

Are there Beavers in Beaverton?

Locals and visitors alike appreciate many facets of Beaverton, but it’s well known for being an urban place for nature lovers, with plenty of places to spot an actual beaver. 

• Forest Park, between Beaverton and Portland, is a perennial favorite. At 5,200 acres with over 80 miles of trails, it offers something for hardcore hikers and day-picnickers alike. 
• Tualatin Hills Nature Park, just west of Beaverton, is impressive in its own right: 222 acres of forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds and meadows. It’s perfect for getting out of the city for a short hike without actually leaving town. 
• Cooper Mountain is another great place to find a few miles of trails, southwest of Beaverton. By climbing Beaverton’s tallest peak (775 feet), you’ll get grand views of the Chehalem Mountains to the south. 

Though Beaverton-based football lovers need to travel a couple of hours south to see the Beavers (Oregon State University) play the Ducks (University of Oregon), there are plenty of other games to play in and around Beaverton. The Beaverton area boasts two outstanding golf courses, a municipal athletic center featuring soccer fields and tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, and 200+ dog-friendly parks. Find out more. 

Shopping and Restaurants? Yes and Yes. 

One of Beaverton’s claims to fame is its diversity, and with diversity comes great food. Browse the offerings from the Beaverton Downtown Association, from classic brewpubs to award-winning international cuisine. 

Shoppers will delight in Beaverton’s Washington Square, a nationally top-ranked shopping center with hundreds of stores. Keeping it local, there’s a weekly farmers’ market and seasonal, entertainment-filled night markets which attract thousands of visitors. 

Beaverton Real Estate Market

Is Beaverton ticking your boxes? Let’s talk home prices. 

Real estate in Beaverton and its next-door neighbor, Aloha, moves quickly. According to Realtor.com, Beaverton homes spend 43 days on the market; in Portland they spend 46 days on the market.

In the third quarter of 2020, Beaverton tied for #4 on Portland Business Tribune’s “Hottest Suburb” list, with 309 homes sold (the tie was with the Foster/Powell neighborhood in SE Portland). 

The biggest factor turning up the heat on Beaverton is its affordability compared to Portland. As of September 2020, the Regional Multiple Listing Service reported a median sale price of $410,500 for Beaverton/Aloha, up 3.6% over the prior 12-month period. For the entire Portland metro area, median sale price is $430,000, up 4.9%. 

Overall, market trends in Beaverton tend to follow those in Portland. There was a drop in home sales in the spring of 2020, but a strong recovery. With increased teleworking options, demand for homes in well-connected suburbs like Beaverton is likely to increase in 2021. 

Neighborhoods of Beaverton

The City of Beaverton comprises 11 official neighborhoods, but several unincorporated areas of Washington County south of Hwy 26 are informally considered Beaverton territory as well. These include Cedar Hills, West Slope and Raleigh Hills. For landmarks, the Nike campus is to the northwest of Beaverton, and highway 217 borders Central Beaverton to the east.

While we don’t have space to cover every Beaverton neighborhood and outlying area, we’d like to highlight some stand-outs:

Cedar Hills

Named Portland’s #1 Hottest Suburb in 2020, this Beaverton-adjacent neighborhood was actually constructed starting in 1946. It’s a good place to find modestly priced suburban homes in a well established neighborhood. 

Central Beaverton 

For those who enjoy an urban feel with shopping, restaurants and transit within walking distance, Central Beaverton is the place to shop. Condos, townhomes and historic cottages are easy to find in this neighborhood. 

Aloha

Known for livability and affordability, Aloha has been the site of many of the Portland area’s biggest housing developments of the last decade. New homes and condos in a semi-rural setting are the draw here, as well as access to the acclaimed Beaverton school district. 

West Slope

One of the more upscale neighborhoods between Beaverton and Portland, West Slope features sprawling ranch-style homes as well as newer condos and townhomes. Commuting is a breeze and the views are spectacular.

Beaverton Schools

Families are drawn to the Beaverton area for access to its top-ranked school district, but this feature is a positive for any home buyer based on the connection between great schools and strong home prices. 

Beaverton School District is the third-largest in Oregon, serving students in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Aloha, and unincorporated areas of Washington County. Close to half of its schools are rated “above average” by Greatschools.com, and the district is nationally recognized for high student achievement and innovative programs. Parent involvement in schools, one factor tied to student success, is high, and classroom sizes are smaller than the state average.

Ready to seek out a home in Beaverton, or any other Portland suburb? Take advantage of slowing market activity as we move into fall. Contact our top 1% buyers team today!