Southwest Hills Residential League

Average Sales Price

$1,612,240

Total Listings

106

Southwest Hills rises along Portland's west-facing slopes above downtown, offering forested terrain, mid-century modern homes on view lots, and direct trail access into Marquam Nature Park and the West Hills trail network. Streets follow canyon drainages and ridge lines rather than a grid, and many homes sit on parcels ranging from a quarter acre to well over an acre with unobstructed downtown and valley views.

LISTINGS

$1,495,000

4 Beds3.1 Baths3,333 SqFt

2768 SW FERN ST, Portland, OR 97201

Listed by Where, Inc.
$1,595,000

5 Beds3.1 Baths5,000 SqFt

4633 SW HILLSIDE DR, Portland, OR 97221

Listed by Where, Inc.
$1,250,000

4 Beds4 Baths3,861 SqFt

2328 SW BROADWAY DR, Portland, OR 97201

Listed by Windermere Realty Trust
$950,000

4 Beds3 Baths2,958 SqFt

1500 SW Davenport ST, Portland, OR 97201

Listed by Windermere Realty Trust
$1,200,000

5 Beds3.1 Baths3,494 SqFt

1975 SW EDGEWOOD RD, Portland, OR 97201

Listed by Where, Inc
$772,000

3 Beds2.2 Baths3,010 SqFt

2656 SW GERALD AVE, Portland, OR 97201

Listed by Brad Davis Properties, Inc.

More Listings

RECENTLY SOLD

$692,475

$724,500 4.4%

2625 SW BRAE MAR CT, Portland, OR 97201

3 Beds2 Baths2,269 SqFt

View Home

Listed by Windermere Realty Trust

$1,000,827

$1,150,000 13.0%

2338 SW 15TH AVE, Portland, OR 97201

3 Beds2.1 Baths3,851 SqFt

View Home

Listed by Windermere West LLC

$675,000

3321 SW FAIRMOUNT BLVD, Portland, OR 97239

2 Beds2 Baths1,872 SqFt

View Home

Listed by Vetiver Street Real Estate

More Listings

Southwest Portland Neighborhood Guide

Living in Southwest Hills

An elevated residential enclave on Portland's west hills with forested terrain, canyon-carved streets, Marquam Nature Park access, and Oregon Health and Science University on the ridge above.

Updated April 2026 by Joe Saling

Neighborhood Overview

What Southwest Hills Is Really Like

Southwest Hills occupies the forested slopes and ravines rising west of downtown Portland, bounded roughly by SW Barbur Boulevard on the east, the West Hills ridge to the west, Terwilliger Boulevard on the south, and the Hillside and Goose Hollow neighborhoods to the north. The terrain here is the defining feature: streets follow canyon drainages and ridge lines rather than a grid, so addresses can be close on a map and a long drive apart by road. Elevation shifts of several hundred feet occur within a single neighborhood boundary, and homes perched on upper slopes can have unobstructed views of downtown, the Willamette Valley, and Mount Hood on clear days.

The daily rhythm in Southwest Hills is shaped more by nature than commerce. Morning runs and dog walks lead into Marquam Nature Park, which borders the neighborhood with miles of forest trails threading down toward Terwilliger. Midday, the streets go quiet; most residents commute out of the neighborhood for work and errands, and the absence of a commercial corridor gives the interior a distinctly residential pace. OHSU's presence on Marquam Hill brings a steady stream of medical staff and students to the adjacent blocks during shift changes, adding a practical heartbeat to the upper sections. Evenings on west-facing decks and porches routinely deliver one of the better sunset backdrops you can get from a residential Portland address.

On residential blocks you see gardeners working steep lots with terraced beds, residents walking forest-edge trails that connect directly to their backyards, and neighbors tending driveways that double as the only flat ground on the property. The lot geometry here rewards people who value outdoor connection and territorial views over walkability and errand convenience. Remote workers with strong broadband infrastructure tend to make good use of the elevated quiet, though verifying your specific address for fiber or cable service is worth doing before you commit.

Looking for broader context on the area? Read my full Southwest Portland relocation guide for how Southwest Hills fits into the wider district.

Housing & Style

Homes and Architecture in Southwest Hills

Southwest Hills housing was developed across several eras, and the mix reflects the terrain. Mid-century modern construction from the 1950s and 1960s dominates much of the upper hillside, with flat or low-pitched rooflines, large glass panels designed to capture views, and open floor plans that flow toward decks and natural light. Ranch-style homes from the same period appear on more accessible slopes, often with attached garages carved into the hillside below the main level. An earlier layer of 1920s and 1930s Tudor cottages and Craftsman homes fills some of the canyon-adjacent blocks and mid-slope lots. Newer custom construction and infill from the 1990s through 2010s rounds out the inventory, often on lots where older structures were removed to build structures that maximize view and access. Lot sizes vary enormously: canyon-bottom parcels can be narrow and deep, while ridge-line lots sometimes span half an acre or more.

When you shop in Southwest Hills, expect a wide range of pricing driven almost entirely by view exposure and terrain. A mid-century ranch with valley views will be priced materially above an equivalent home on a canyon-facing lot without line-of-sight. Condition varies: some of the post-war construction has been continuously maintained by long-term owners, while other examples are reaching the point where roofs, decks, and seismic retrofits are overdue. The steep access roads mean that buyers with mobility considerations or who are concerned about winter driving should verify their specific address and test the approach in wet conditions before committing.

Mid-century modern
Ranch-style
1920s-30s Tudor & Craftsman
Lots vary widely, .25 to 1+ acre common
Premium for Southwest Portland

Around the Neighborhood

Geography, Amenities, and Getting Around

Marquam Nature Park

Defining Geography

Over 180 acres of forested canyon immediately adjacent to the neighborhood, with a trail network that connects to Council Crest Park and Terwilliger Boulevard. Many Southwest Hills homes back directly to the park boundary, providing a forest backyard experience unusual for a neighborhood minutes from downtown. The Marquam Trail links to the 40-Mile Loop and the broader West Hills trail system.

Hillsdale Town Center

Nearest Amenity Hub

The closest full-service commercial cluster sits in Hillsdale, approximately 10 minutes south by car, with a New Seasons Market, pharmacy, restaurants, and shops along SW Capitol Highway. OHSU's Marquam Hill campus provides on-site amenities for employees. For downtown Portland groceries or services, the OHSU aerial tram provides a fast link from the South Waterfront Fred Meyer or downtown Whole Foods, both accessible in about 10 minutes by car.

Council Crest Park

Outdoor Access

At 1,073 feet, Council Crest is Portland's highest point and sits at the top of the West Hills trail network above Southwest Hills. The park offers 360-degree views of five Cascade peaks on clear days and is reachable by trail directly from the neighborhood. Terwilliger Boulevard runs along the neighborhood's southern edge with a dedicated pedestrian and bike path connecting south to Lake Oswego.

Getting Around

Transit & Commute

Southwest Hills is almost entirely car-dependent for daily life. SW Barbur Boulevard connects to I-5 southbound or downtown in approximately 8 to 12 minutes off-peak. The OHSU aerial tram, accessed from the South Waterfront, offers a downtown transit alternative for those working on Marquam Hill. TriMet bus lines run along Barbur Boulevard, but most interior streets have no direct bus service. Peak-hour drives to downtown can stretch to 20 to 25 minutes.

From Your Agent

Joe's Take on Southwest Hills

When buyers tell me they want hillside terrain, forest access, and unobstructed views from a Portland address, Southwest Hills is the first place I take them. The honest trade-off is that this is one of the most car-dependent neighborhoods in the city. You will drive for groceries, coffee, and virtually every errand. There is no commercial corridor here, and the topography rules out the kind of neighborhood walkability you get in Hillsdale or Multnomah Village. What you get instead is a forest edge, a view, and residential streets that do not function as through-routes because they cannot.

The housing stock and location suit buyers who are drawn to mid-century modern architecture on terrain lots, who value proximity to Marquam Nature Park and the West Hills trail network, and who work on Marquam Hill at OHSU or can use the aerial tram corridor. It works particularly well for buyers coming from suburban environments who want a more wooded residential character without leaving the city. It is less well-suited to buyers who need to maximize walkability or who have concerns about steep driveway access in Portland's winter rain and occasional ice events.

Before you write an offer in Southwest Hills, run through a terrain-specific checklist. Verify the specific driveway grade and approach road condition; some addresses in this neighborhood are difficult to access in a standard sedan on wet pavement, and that matters both for daily life and for your insurance and refinancing options. Pull a foundation and retaining wall inspection for any home built on a cut-and-fill lot, which is common in 1950s hillside development. Check the landslide hazard overlay on PortlandMaps for your specific parcel; parts of the West Hills are in mapped landslide hazard zones, and disclosure requirements vary. Finally, confirm broadband infrastructure at the exact address if remote work depends on consistent high-speed internet, as service quality varies considerably by block in the hills.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Southwest Hills

How do home prices in Southwest Hills compare to the rest of Southwest Portland?

Southwest Hills prices toward the top of the Southwest Portland range, driven primarily by view exposure, lot size, and forested terrain. Homes with unobstructed downtown or valley views command significant premiums over comparable homes in Hillsdale, Multnomah Village, or Garden Home. Canyon-adjacent lots without views price more moderately. The overall range is wide because terrain and view orientation create enormous value differences between addresses that are geographically close. Current average sales prices and active listing counts are shown at the top of this page and update automatically.

What are property taxes like in Southwest Hills?

Multnomah County property taxes in Southwest Hills run at an effective combined rate of approximately 1.3% to 2.1% of assessed value, in line with the rest of the county. Because home values in this neighborhood tend to be higher than most Southwest Portland addresses, annual tax bills are also higher on average. Oregon Measure 50 caps assessed value growth at 3% per year, meaning long-held hillside homes often pay substantially less than their market value would suggest. Verify the current assessment for any specific address at multco.us/assessment-taxation before making a decision.

Which schools serve Southwest Hills?

Southwest Hills is served by Portland Public Schools. School assignments in this neighborhood vary significantly by address given the terrain and boundary configurations. The most common elementary assignments include Ainsworth, Bridlemile, and West Sylvan Middle School for middle grades, with Lincoln High School as the typical high school for much of the area. Always verify the specific assignment for your address using the PPS boundary finder at pps.net, as boundaries have shifted and can change. Portland Public Schools offers open enrollment for families interested in applying to schools outside their default assignment.

What is the housing stock like in Southwest Hills?

The neighborhood is a mix of mid-century modern homes from the 1950s and 1960s, ranch-style construction from the same era, earlier 1920s and 1930s Tudor cottages and Craftsman homes, and more recent custom builds. Lots are notably larger than most Portland neighborhoods, with many parcels ranging from a quarter acre to over an acre on ridge-line addresses. Marquam Nature Park borders much of the eastern edge of the neighborhood, and Council Crest Park sits at the top of the ridge. Many homes have significant hillside decks and terracing given the terrain.

How long is the commute from Southwest Hills to downtown Portland?

Downtown Portland is typically 8 to 15 minutes by car via SW Barbur Boulevard or SW Terwilliger outside of peak hours. Peak-hour drives can stretch to 20 to 25 minutes. Residents working at OHSU on Marquam Hill can use the aerial tram, accessed from the South Waterfront, which runs frequently on weekdays. TriMet bus service is limited in the interior of the neighborhood; Barbur Boulevard lines serve the eastern edge with connections to downtown.

Is Southwest Hills walkable?

Southwest Hills is not walkable for daily errands. The interior streets are residential and not designed for pedestrian access to commercial areas, and the terrain makes walking to off-neighborhood destinations impractical for most addresses. Walk Scores in the neighborhood are generally in the 20s to 40s depending on proximity to Barbur Boulevard. The neighborhood does offer exceptional trail access: Marquam Nature Park, the Terwilliger multi-use path, and connections to Council Crest and the 40-Mile Loop are all within walking distance for those who prioritize natural terrain over urban walkability.

How does Southwest Hills compare to nearby Southwest Portland neighborhoods?

Southwest Hills prices above Hillsdale, Multnomah Village, and most of Sylvan-Highlands on a per-square-foot basis, primarily because of view lots and the forest-edge character. Hillsdale offers significantly more walkability and commercial amenity access. Tryon Creek provides a similar forested residential character at a lower price point with better grid access. Homestead, which borders Southwest Hills to the north, has more limited outdoor access. Southwest Hills is the choice when hillside terrain, Marquam Nature Park proximity, and view exposure are the primary priorities and car-dependence is an accepted trade-off.

Can I add an ADU or short-term rental in Southwest Hills?

Many Southwest Hills lots are eligible for an accessory dwelling unit under Portland's Residential Infill Project rules, but terrain constraints, steep slopes, and landslide hazard zone overlays can complicate or limit what is buildable on specific parcels. Short-term rentals require a City of Portland STR permit; Type A permits require owner-occupancy, and Type B permits have stricter limits. Verify ADU eligibility and any slope or hazard zone restrictions for your specific address with Portland Bureau of Development Services at portland.gov/bds before counting on additional income.

Thinking About Buying in Southwest Hills?

I help buyers navigate Southwest Portland neighborhoods every week. Let's talk about what you need, what you can afford, and whether Southwest Hills is the right fit.

Schedule a Free Consultation Or call Joe directly: (503) 910-7364

Joe Saling · Saling Homes at eXp Realty · 10+ years serving Portland metro buyers and sellers

Saling Homes at eXp Realty is committed to the principles of the Fair Housing Act and Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed in the State of Oregon. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Verify all data independently before making real estate decisions.