West Linn Real Estate is one of the most desirable places to live in the Portland metropolitan area. While the metro region continues to growth, West Linn is holding on to its rural home town identity. West Linn residents, neighborhood associations, the business community and city government are working closely to maintain West Linn's small-town character, natural environment, and high quality of life. Our shared vision: a safe city with fine schools and excellent public services, good transportation, a clean environment, recreational opportunities, businesses that serve the community, responsive, cost-effective government, and a city of unique and natural beauty.

West Linn boasts a high performing suburban school district located in the South Portland Metropolitan area. High quality teaching, learning, and leadership are what we are all about. The mission is to seek answers to the question: "How do we create a school community of the greatest thinkers and the most thoughtful people in the world?" The answers to this question lie in the continuing quest to fulfill the vision themes of a personalized education for all students, personal and academic excellence, community partnerships, a "circle of support" for each person in the learning community, educating the whole person -- intellectually, emotionally, physically, and ethically, and integrating technologies into daily learning. West Linn schools believe that the means to success of the mission and vision themes is through the development of high quality relationships among all in the learning community, designing and carrying out effective processes, and by expecting high quality results.

The City of West Linn encourages, recognizes and supports neighborhood associations. Neighborhood associations organized under provisions of Chapter 2.14 of the West Linn Municipal Code receive official recognition from the City of West Linn. Neighborhood associations are looked to by the City Council for advice and suggestions on any and all issues affecting the governance of the city, particularly on matters relating to the livability of the city's neighborhoods. A primary purpose of neighborhood associations is to facilitate communication between the residents of West Linn and their elected leaders, the city's staff, and the members of advisory boards and commissions.

West Linn has 10 neighborhood associations. Each is made up of citizen volunteers. They elect officers, adopt by-laws and establish geographical boundaries. Each association is entitled to identify its own interests and set its own agenda. Neighborhood associations do not levy dues. Membership in a neighborhood association is open to anyone who lives, works or owns property within its boundaries.

Neighborhood association activities may include monitoring and expressing neighborhood views on land-use issues or city policies and priorities, establishing neighborhood programs such as Neighborhood Watch or traffic safety projects, neighborhood beautification, organizing cultural or social functions such as neighborhood picnics or pot-lucks; neighborhood clean-ups, etc. Unlike privately organized homeowners' and recreation associations, neighborhood associations receive support from the City of West Linn.

Under the city's Neighborhood Assistance Program, neighborhood associations may be reimbursed for their expenses in carrying out eligible activities and projects. In addition, neighborhood associations in West Linn have the right to appeal land-use decisions to the City Council without cost. Neighborhood associations promote citizen participation in developing city policies and strategies. They provide a means for reviewing and evaluating issues affecting neighborhoods and the community as a whole. They serve as a voice for neighborhood interests and concerns. They improve communications between the city and its residents. They promote neighborhood and community identity.

Historically, the Willamette River was a wild river. Rising with massive floods in winter and spring, and expanding across a wide valley that bears its name, the river ran with power and a dynamic nature that is too seldom seen today. As the centerpiece of the Willamette Valley, the Willamette River pushed its way some 187-miles on its main stem, with cold runoff from the mountains and splashing valley torrents creating a vibrant flow. Throughout the long history of this river, it was common for great floods to result in the river changing its course significantly.

The valley was typified by open prairies and oak and conifer woodlands that covered the land, then tracing into the foothills of the Cascade and Coast Range mountains. Native peoples, mainly the Calapooia, populated the valley and utilized the river until the arrival of Euro American settlers from the East Coast. Abundant fish and other wildlife called the river and its valley home. Over the past 150 years much has changed in the Willamette Valley and the river reflects this change.

Today the river is surrounded by agricultural land with little in the way of riverside forests that once flourished. Cities now hug its banks and alter the River's character. Industrial facilities nestle against the river to utilize it as a water source and dumping ground. Its flows have been harnessed and modified by hydropower dams on the tributaries. Simply put, pollution and habitat destruction have altered the function and very health of the Willamette River. Though the nature of the Willamette Valley has been modified greatly, there are still opportunities to regain some semblance of the river's former health and vitality. The Willamette River can indeed be a place that is clean and healthy for the species that inhabit its waters and for the people that turn to this resource for recreation and solitude.

The Willamette River borders West Linn and many of the homes listed for sale are river front and river view properties.

Sports, outdoor recreation and a clean environment are just a brief list for a region, author Earnest Callenbach, called "ecotopia". The Northwest has so many environments available to you, from arctic to desert to the beauty of unmatched Pacific Ocean vistas. You may find the solution of two or three homes may appeal to you, just to enjoy all the richness of the seasons and the regional variety of local pleasures of living.