This small, 4-square-mile Clackamas County city knows how to show up big for kids and families. In 2006, city leaders decided to convert a space that was once a Thriftway grocery store at the heart of the city into an early childhood center. In 2008, the Gladstone Center for Children and Families opened its doors with the goal of reducing barriers and improving access to all manner of services. The center provides health, dental and wellness care, child care support, and kindergarten readiness for families.
And as Gladstone as whole has worked to lower rates of school absenteeism post-pandemic. Last year “Gladstone Shows Up” yard signs in English and Spanish popped up all over and helped lower the rates of student absenteeism across the city (pictured right). In fall of 2024, the Oregon Department of Education reported that Gladstone students met grade level expectations at a higher rate than the state average.
Another reason your family may want to look to move to Gladstone: the median sold home price is $74,000 less than the median sold home price in Portland as a whole. But while the overall cost of housing is lower in Gladstone compared to Portland proper, it’s still high. And not only that, the housing market is extremely tight. As of press time, there were only 11 houses on the market in Gladstone.
What Neighbors Say
Maureen Healy, her partner, James McDonough, and their two boys Anwynn, 17, and Finn, 11, have lived in Gladstone for 11 years. Healy’s favorite aspects of the area are its friendly, small-town feel and accessibility to different areas. “If you want or need to get to downtown Portland and all of the bigger city amenities of Portland, it’s only 12 miles from Gladstone to the center of downtown Portland,” she says. “It’s also very easy to get to more rural areas, such as outer Oregon City, Canby, Molalla and Aurora.”
Healy’s family also appreciates the walkability (especially during the Halloween event along Portland Avenue when businesses host activities for kids and hand out candy and cider) and they like to ride their bikes to the Clackamas River and have picnics there. She also notes that the downtown area is nicely maintained and feels safe. And she’s observed improvements in her city as well. “We just got a brand new library that opened in September 2024. Some newer restaurants have come in, such as Gladstones.”
Healy has been impressed with the small Gladstone school district as well. “Where we live, we are actually zoned for Oregon City School District,” she says. “However, we did an inter-district transfer for Anwynn to go to Gladstone High School, right around the corner from us, instead of busing to Oregon City High School. And I’m so grateful we did. The teachers and staff know those kids, and it shows. The building itself is also modern and very well maintained. It’s been a very safe space for Anwynn to learn and thrive.”
Play Here
One of Gladstone’s lesser-known gems is The Children’s Course, a 9-hole, 3-par public golf course (pictured above). It’s a great place to introduce kids to the game of golf. Pro tip: There’s a pro shop with kids’ equipment and snacks for purchase in the clubhouse. Families also flock to the Trolley Trail, a bike and pedestrian path along the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers that also connects to the Springwater Corridor and I-205 Multi-Use Path and is easily accessible from Cross Park. And wildlife lovers can walk paved and unpaved trails at Gladstone Nature Park to spy creatures of all kinds — bring binoculars!
Eat Here
Gladstones sports bar welcomes kids from 11 am-8 pm with a kids’ menu that includes choices such as a quesadilla and chicken strips (pictured above) in addition to breakfast favorites like pancakes. And grown-ups can order pub favorites or opt for tacos or wraps. For lovers of Indian food, Masala Box gets rave reviews for their curry, samosa and naan. Gladstone families can also easily get to Lake Oswego and Oregon City for even more dining options.
Live Here
$456,200: Median home price
$1,795: Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment
Source: Realtor.com and Zumper.com
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