Tucked into Portland’s West Hills, Sylvan Highlands offers a rare blend of deep-forest calm and big-city convenience. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you might sip your morning coffee while watching deer wander through your backyard, then hop on the MAX and be downtown before the mug cools.
For many residents, the morning walk to transit doubles as a stroll through Hoyt Arboretum’s network of trails, a daily commute shaded by trees that have stood for centuries. Sidewalks are scarce, but neighbors still describe the area as walkable. You’ll see plenty of regulars — often with dogs in tow — on the neighborhood streets.
Housing prices are on the high end, thanks to the unbeatable combination of trees, trails, transit access, and top-tier schools. Homes often sit on wooded lots that feel more like forest retreats than city residences — with the price tags to match. Despite the high cost of homes, the vibe is warm and down-to-earth; the local free community gifting group is very active, and you’re more likely to see neighbors in hiking boots than heels.
Families who land here tend to stay. The financial tradeoff feels worthwhile to many: a quiet, leafy refuge where kids explore museums, ride the MAX to adventures, and learn to name the trees in their own backyard.
If there’s a place where you can have it all, Sylvan Highlands just might be it.
What Neighbors Say
Elaine L. has lived in Sylvan Highlands for five years, after relocating from downtown. Now a mom of two — a toddler and a baby — she says the neighborhood has been exactly what her family hoped it would be.
“We really like that it’s close enough to downtown that it’s a quick Uber, but you’re not in downtown,” she says. “It’s quiet, it feels safe, and we can walk to the zoo. We do that all the time.”
Her family’s regular circuit includes the Oregon Zoo, Hoyt Arboretum’s popular Tree Time Preschool Walks, and the World Forestry Center — a place her son considers a second home. “If my son could live at the World Forestry Center, he would,” says Elaine. “Everyone who works there knows him by name.”
The walkability surprised her in the best way. “Even after living downtown, the neighborhood feels walkable. Before kids, I would run here every day,” she says.
Schools are another major draw. Elaine’s kids attend nearby Youngset Preschool, a cooperative program, and she plans to enter her children in the lottery for Ainsworth Elementary’s Spanish immersion program, which feeds into West Sylvan Middle School and Lincoln High School. The neighborhood also offers other options, including the Odyssey Program, a history-focused public charter K-8 located within its boundaries. “I would pick this neighborhood again for having young kids,” she says. “The schools are so great.”
Play Here
Living in Sylvan Highlands means Washington Park is essentially your backyard, offering families a year-round rotation of things to do. The Oregon Zoo is just a short walk away, with summer Friday concerts, family-friendly exhibits, and the magic of ZooLights in winter. Hoyt Arboretum shines in every season — the Magnolia Trail bursts with color in spring, kids sled its hills in winter, and all year long it offers a robust lineup of children’s programs, discovery activities, and guided nature walks. In summer, it’s not unusual to wander past a wedding unfolding on the Redwood Deck (pictured opposite) — a reminder that people all over the city cherish what residents get to call home. The World Forestry Center (pictured above) is a rainy day favorite, especially for younger kids who love its hands-on exhibits. The free Washington Park Shuttle makes exploring the entire area a breeze, and from the neighborhood trails you can hike to some of the city’s most iconic attractions — from the International Rose Test Garden to Pittock Mansion.
Whether you’re chasing fall color through the Arboretum’s maples, or pointing out the season’s first trilliums, outdoor play feels seamlessly woven into daily life here.
Eat Here
A neighborhood can’t have everything — and residents will tell you that Sylvan Highlands’ one missing piece is restaurant variety. But Pizzicato (pictured above), a longtime PDX Parent Reader Favorites winner, anchors the area with a cozy, counter-service spot perfect for family pizza nights. Most people grab takeout, but there are a few bar stools if you want to stay.
Neighbors are also counting down the days until Verde Cocina reopens after their pandemic-era fire; when it does, it will restore one of the area’s rare walkable dining options.
Fortunately, downtown is only minutes away by MAX or car, making fine dining, food carts, cafes, and date-night destinations delightfully accessible.
Live Here
$765,000: Median home price
$1,650: Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment
Source: Realtor.com and Rentable.com