The suburb of Camas is named after the Camas lily, a delicate, purple spring bloom whose root bulbs were harvested by local Indigenous people as an important food source. Historically, people recognized the area for industry, not nature, as the city grew around Henry Pittock’s paper mill, the producer of the paper upon which The Oregonian was first printed in the 1880s. While the mill still holds space in the town, the production facility is mostly dormant as this area has grown into a high-demand community ideal for families.
Niche.com rates Camas as the No. 1 community to raise a family in Clark County, and the town has made the Money list of Top 50 places to live in the nation. Surging from a working-class town to a luxury, family-friendly community, the area is currently home to about 27,000 people. Much of the area activity is now driven by a highly rated school district and the active Downtown Camas Association. Residents who live close to downtown have plenty of options to walk or bike to, but those who live farther out will be more reliant on cars. Downsides can include more difficulty in finding affordable housing, and lesser diversity than other areas nearby.
What Neighbors Say
Meet the Marais family — Theo, Brie, Adriaan (7), Larissa (6), and the envy of all Bluey fans, a spirited mini Australian shepherd, Banjo. “Our story began in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where we met, but now, after years of traveling and working internationally, we are proud to call Camas our home,” says Brie, adding that they first came to Camas in 2018.
The Maraises live in the Crown Park neighborhood, which is a few blocks from downtown. “Living in the Crown Park neighborhood, we love that Camas allows us to walk to work, school and downtown events,” says Theo. “The vibrant community spirit, charming streets, and beautiful natural surroundings make it the perfect place for our family. We enjoy participating in local activities, from sports to the schools, and appreciate the small-town feel combined with big opportunities for connection.”
But Camas is more than just a place to live, says the family, it’s a community. They love that the Downtown Camas Association puts on more than 22 events each year; their favorite is the weekly First Friday event. “As outdoor enthusiasts, we also really enjoy the annual Camas Plant & Garden Fair in May as well as our amazing network of trails around our stunning lakes,” says Brie. “We don’t have to go far to feel like we are fully in the woods!”
The Camas Public Library is another favorite for The Marais family, and they enjoy the year-round events. “We really enjoy the summer storytimes in the parks around town!”
Play Here
It’s difficult to mention play in Camas without mentioning the wonderful Lacamas Lake Park (pictured above). Consisting of 312 acres of forest and trails, the park surrounds the adjacent Lacamas and Round Lakes. There are trails to run, play structures to climb, ropes to swing into the water or paddle boards to rent. Seniors have regular walking groups and families grab a shelter space for summer barbecues. This is one of those parks that has it all — for all ages and abilities. Fallen Leaf Lake Park is another local, hidden gem covering 119 acres.For those who want more urban entertainment, the active and historic downtown is a frequent host to events including trick-or-treating, summer farmers markets and art showcases. Catch a show at the historic Liberty Theatre, built in 1927, which features first-run movies and art films.
Eat Here
An all-star highlight of Camas might be the new, family-friendly food pod at Oak Tree Station (pictured above). The space features over 20 food carts including Slavic dumplings, Hawaiian food, pizza, and even a cart dedicated to all things with cheese. It’s got great ambiance, too, including a covered area, tap room, activity park and open space below the 100-year-old namesake oak tree. Summer events include live music and movie nights.Other highlights include the Grains of Wrath family-friendly brewery and restaurant, Top Burger Drive In classic diner, Camas Cheese Co. specialty cheese shop, and sweet treats at Ice Cream Renaissance. The Marais’ favorites include tastings at Navidi’s Olive Oils and Vinegars and gourmet Mexican food at Nuestra Mesa with some chocolate from Sweet Intention Gift Boutique for dessert.
Live Here
$962,500: Median home price
$1,699: Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment
Source: Realtor.com and Zumper.com
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