West Linn
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West Linn is one of the most desirable communities in the Portland area. Called the City of Hills, Trees and Rivers, West Linn is home to around 24,000 residents and is located along the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers just 20 minutes from downtown Portland. The area was first settled in the early 1840s when Robert Moore purchased 1,000 acres of land from the Wallamut Indians and was eventually incorporated as West Linn in 1913.
West Linn was ranked by Money Magazine as one of the best communities for livability in the nation and for good reason. The primary draws are the excellent school system, relatively low crime rate, and an abundance of parkland and natural areas. West Linn is a vibrant community where citizens, civic organizations, businesses and the city government work closely together to ensure that it retains its hometown feel, high quality of life and natural beauty. Considered a quiet bedroom community with meandering streets, mature trees and river views, West Linn is a peaceful getaway from the city.
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The West Linn-Wilsonville school district has one of the best reputations and some of the highest test scores in the state. The city's residents are among the best educated in Oregon and earn incomes well above the state's average, making West Linn a center for many luxury properties and beautiful estate homes. The district services approximately 5,000 students and includes five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.
The Willamette River makes a great bend around West Linn and forms the city's eastern and southern boundary. Most of West Linn, following along the Willamette River from Lake Oswego to the Oregon City Bridge, is a 20-minute ride to Portland International Airport and a 15-mile drive into Portland.
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West Linn offers gourmet markets, coffee houses, fine dining restaurants, brew pubs, family restaurants and cafés along its main artery, Willamette Drive. A block or two off the drive you will find the West Linn Library, post office, a few banks and medical offices.
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The suburban community winds up a few steep streets to rolling neighborhoods, large estates on acreage and gated communities. While luxury homes abound on the heights, there are a few townhouse and condominium complexes close to a new upscale commercial area, city hall, a new church and two new schools. Many of the large homes on the hill have gorgeous views of the Willamette River Valley, Mt. Hood and the Cascade Range.
Just a little further south, where the Tualatin River flows into the Willamette, lies a quaint Historic Willamette District of West Linn. The Willamette neighborhood still has many of its vintage Victorian style homes from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries, featuring a country store built in 1915. The central business district in Willamette followed suit with renditions of historic-style, period-appropriate front facades decorating the business offices, stores and restaurants.
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