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Where Are the Best Places to Live Outside of Portland, Oregon?

September 25, 2024

One of the best parts of living in the Pacific Northwest is its natural beauty. Evergreen forests, mountain views, verdant wineries, and rolling rivers, nestled under a velvet grey sky. It’s a big part of why New Tradition Homes loves building homes in Washington State. Offering unsurpassed quality, lasting value, and enduring design, along with the most desirable locations in the Portland metro area, our communities are sure to fit your lifestyle and budget. 

The Best Suburbs to Live in the Portland Area 

The Portland area offers a variety of vibrant and welcoming suburbs, perfect for families, professionals, and anyone seeking the balance of city access and suburban charm. Whether you're drawn to scenic surroundings, outdoor recreation, or a peaceful environment, the towns around Portland have something special to offer. With unique places to eat, exciting entertainment venues, and quiet family-friendly neighborhoods, suburban Portland is the place to be. Some of the best towns near Portland, Oregon include: 

La Center

Tucked away just north of Vancouver, La Center, WA offers a slower pace of life surrounded by picturesque countryside. This charming town is ideal for those looking to enjoy a tight-knit community feel, while still being close to the amenities of the larger Portland metro area. With its parks, local eateries, and beautiful views of the Lewis River, La Center is a hidden gem for nature lovers and those seeking a quiet retreat.

Ridgefield

Ridgefield, WA boasts a perfect blend of small-town charm and modern convenience. Known for its stunning wildlife refuge, local wineries, and community events, Ridgefield is a great place to enjoy the outdoors while still maintaining access to urban amenities. It’s ideal for those who want to savor the best of both worlds—peaceful living with easy access to Portland and Vancouver.

Battle Ground

Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Battle Ground, WA is an affordable suburb for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With its spacious parks, hiking trails, and vibrant community events, the town exudes a welcoming atmosphere. The close proximity to nature preserves and the scenic Battle Ground Lake State Park makes it an ideal place to enjoy year-round recreational activities, all while being within reach of the big city.

Vancouver

Just across the Columbia River from Portland, Vancouver, WA offers the amenities of a larger city with the charm of a suburban community. From the bustling waterfront and exceptional schools, to expansive parks, seasonal festivities, and vibrant arts scene, Vancouver combines outdoor living with urban convenience. The city is perfect for those who want to stay close to Portland but also appreciate a lower cost of living and a slower pace of life.

Washougal

Known as the "Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge," Washougal, WA is perfect for nature lovers who want to stay connected to the great outdoors. The town’s scenic location along the river provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, boating, and fishing, while its charming downtown area offers local restaurants and shops. Washougal is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a peaceful, nature-focused lifestyle, with easy access to Portland for work or play.

Each of these Portland-area suburbs offers a unique blend of community, natural beauty, and accessibility, making them top choices for those looking to settle near the city while enjoying the perks of suburban living.

At New Tradition Homes, we are thrilled to be building our homes in the Portland area. The communities that we are currently building in offer something for everyone. 

Stephens Hillside Farm | La Center

Stephens Hillside is an exclusive neighborhood in a desirable location. It offers lovely homesites with different single level and 2-story floor plans to choose from. Its well-appointed amenities and different architectural styles create beautiful and diverse streetscapes. Nestled among mature evergreen trees and beautiful views, the community connects to walking trails, a beautiful neighborhood park and playground. Stephens Hillside is located near PDX Airport, and close to many different recreation opportunities including the Columbia River, Lewis River, downtown La Center, and endless hiking and biking trails. 

Paradise Pointe | Ridgefield 

Upscale Paradise Pointe is a stunning master planned community with large and rare homesites with many single-level and two-story customizable floor plans to choose from. It boasts walking trails that tie into the large Ridgefield trail system, parks and greenspace. Along with all of the new shopping and dining in the area, there is easy access to the charming downtown area and marina on the Columbia River. This community is in high demand, so don't wait to secure your perfect homesite and begin customizing your brand new home today. 

Amira’s Song | Battle Ground 

Amira's Song, a master-planned townhome community, features over 100 townhomes with six different floor plans, including single-level and two-story plans. This community, located directly across from Daybreak Elementary, is arranged in a duplex-style, complete with spacious fenced private yards and attached garages for each unit. The designer-curated amenities packages from our RISE collection allow you to customize your new home to fit your style. This beautiful community is surrounded by mature trees, protected greenspace, and community parks. 

Pleasant Woods & Si Ellen Farms | Vancouver 

Our newest community, Pleasant Woods, is officially open, and homesites are going fast! This highly sought after community is located in the South Salmon Creek area of Vancouver. Pleasant Woods is a serene community conveniently located near Pleasant Valley Schools. It offers spacious homesites with single-level and 2-story plans to choose from. This beautiful neighborhood is surrounded by mature evergreen trees, offering large yards, and easy access to both I-5 and I-205, shopping and dining choices in Salmon Creek, as well as Legacy Salmon Creek and the Vancouver Clinic.

Phase 4 of Si Ellen Farms is now open! This lovely community offers spacious homesites and a range of popular floor plans to choose from. Located in East Vancouver, this neighborhood is in the desirable Hockinson School District. This beautiful community is nestled just outside the city, with convenient access to Padden Parkway and I-205, with a short commute to PDX airport and downtown Portland. Many nearby amenities including Hockinson Meadows community park, Cedars Golf Course and nearby brand new East Vancouver shopping and dining.

Northside | Washougal 

Northside is a multi-phase, master-planned community located on the border of Camas & Washougal. Nestled within the desirable Camas School District, this stunning location offers views to the north mountain range, scenic Columbia River and Lacamas Lake, and offers parks and trails and many nearby recreation opportunities. Move-in ready Designer Homes available, or build to suit. 

Connect with New Tradition Homes Today!

New Tradition Homes provides you with a variety of choices in homes and communities in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon. All of our communities are located near schools, shopping, restaurants, and recreation, and have easy access to local highways, businesses, and area attractions.

If you’re considering a move to one of the cities near Portland, Oregon, take a closer look at our communities in the Vancouver area. With unique characteristics, a wealth of amenities, and plenty of natural beauty, it’s no wonder people put the Pacific Northwest at the top of their lists. When you’re ready to make your move, or if you have questions about homes for sale near Portland, Oregon, connect with us.