Shorewood Offers Value Views

Shorewood Condominiums are on the bluff above Tidewater Cove. This near 50 year old complex of buildings features condos in several buildings of 4-7 stories each built from the early 70s through the mid 80s. The buildings are tall enough to see over trees and high on a bluff above SR-14 offering nice views of the River and both Downtown Portland and Downtown Vancouver or the high cascades including Mount Hood.

What makes Shorewood a value is the price! These condos tend to be available from the low $200s to the mid $400s. On the Urban Living in the 'Couv' website you can find several condos listed at Shorewood along with other urban condos in Vancouver. 

Not every unit in this development offers a great view, but those that do are still available at reasonable prices. The reason they are such a value isn't because the condo gods are gracious. No the reason is the buildings are a bit dated so this in effect is a tradeoff of great views in exchange for a less modern facility. That said, there is a an indoor pool, clubhouse and other amenities although they are a bit dated.

If you are interested in a condo with a view but can't afford the King Midas pricing at Tidewater or Columbia Shores, take a peek up on the bluff at Shorewood. What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view.

Why are Water Views So Coveted?

1 bed 1 bath houseboat $85k RMLS photo

Psychologically water makes us happy. That in a nutshell is the answer to the title query. People will pay a massive premium for a property with a good view of a lake, river, ocean, etc. Psychologists have written volumes about the calming effects of water, the soothing sound of the ocean, the tranquility offered by waterfront property or those high above with such views is so powerful to the human condition that people on average will pay more than 100% more money for a property with a waterfront location versus the same property without. This according to widely published real estate data.

Columbia River waterfront estate, $4.2 million RMLS photo

Right here in Clark County we can see the difference in price between homes and condos "on the water" and those a few blocks away. Even a 'peek-a-boo' view of the river or a lake can add substantial value to a property. We have a great many waterfront locations in Clark County. The Lewis River, East Fork of the Lewis River, Columbia River, Lake River, Washougal River, Little Washougal River, Vancouver Lake, Lacamas Lake, Salmon Creek, Burnt Bridge Creek, etc.

The Columbia River and Vancouver Lake are both large enough to have a big impact on the view from a nearby home. The Columbia River is more than mile wide in several locations around Vancouver and Vancouver Lake is more than two miles wide.

If all the PhDs are right, then we have a great many ways to be happy. From inexpensive house boats to crazy money on the Columbia waterfront along with everything in between. What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view!

View Condos are a thing!

I have been writing a great deal about condo units on Urban Living in the Couv, lately. That site deals with Vancouver's emerging urban condo market. There are some condos with great views including a few listed here.

Frontier Block at 500 Broadway, Vancouver. MLS#19319982 listed at $775,000

This south facing 5th floor unit has over 2000 SF and features a picture window view of the Interstate Bridge, Columbia River and nearby Cascades as well as Vancouver and Portland city lights at night.


Looking for a more laid back suburban feel with a nice view and close proximity to the city center? Look no further than Tidewater. Located just east of Downtown right along the banks of the Columbia River this community style development is top drawer for quality. This are well made, premium quality units. This unit has over 4000 SF of living space with views to the East and South

Tidewater, Vancouver, MLS#19480761 listed at $3,500,000

Shorewood, Vancouver, MLS#19376280 listed at #239,000

Perhaps my favorite condo building from a strictly view value is Shorewood. This complex is older with buildings ranging from 4-7 stories and built between 1972 and 1984. They are a bit dated, but these are solid units that are often well priced and have excellent views. Shorewood combines bluff elevation with building height to give a skyscraper feel to the view with out requiring the 20-30 story building. This unit has 1115 SF 2 beds and 2 baths and a fair view for less than $240k

So there it is views from $240k to $3.5m something for everyone, really. What ever you do please enjoy the view!

Another look at Mighty Mountain Views

Last year I wrote up a piece about the mountain views available from a variety of neighborhoods in Clark County, Washington. Still rings true today :)

Originally posted here, March, 20, 2018, by Rod Sager


There is something majestic about a grand mountain view. Last time I talked up this view and I figured I could elaborate a bit. As a Realtor® I often show or list properties with these wonderful views. Some of course are better than others. I do currently have a listing in Washougal, WA with a nice view of Mount Hood, OR. These homes with unobstructed views are often larger and more expensive, but I have seen very modest homes with truly amazing views. On this blog several years ago I wrote an article about such homes in Camas, WA several years back. Read about that here.


This house today is a little less modest but still not too terribly high on the price either. It is brand new construction just below Colorado Ridge and the lot was perfect for a front view of Oregon's highest peak. The 3000 plus square foot home is less than 600k and has this view from the upper bonus room.

I would love to be able to kick back and just watch the snow fall on winter day or a sunrise behind that mountain. Wow what a view huh? Sure, I've sold a few homes with much better views than this, but those are usually home reserved for the fifty foot yacht owners. This home is within reach of people who don't own their own airplane.

In fact it is safe to say there are scores of homes in the hills above Washougal that have these sorts of views and for prices that are almost pedestrian.

Oh, by the way, for those wondering about the house attached to the views I showed today and last month, here it is in all her glory. It is a fabulous floor plan with more than 3000 squares and 2400 of those are on the main level. The master and a full guest suite are on the main along with a den/bedroom with 10 foot ceilings and then two giant bedrooms/bonus rooms up stairs. I love this house and you probably would too.

OK enough of my cheap marketing moments on this otherwise fantastic blog about views. I have always had a soft spot for a nice view and the hills around Washougal are one of many Clark County neighborhoods serving them up.

I will continue my quest for the ultimate views and pass them on to you as they come up. Rivers, mountains, city skylines and sometimes all from the same deck! I love it when that happens, anyhow, that's all I got this time, and please remember, what ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view.

Hip or Serenity? Pick a View

What's your favorite view? A hip view downtown, looking at the skyline or maybe an urban park, waterfront, etc.? Or perhaps something more serene, a quiet lakefront, forested mountains with snow-capped peaks in the distance. The best part is that we have all of that and most of the stuff in between right here in Clark County, Washington.

From Downtown Vancouver which has an increasingly urban vibe and lots of new high rise developments for the city dwelling dreamers right out to places like Yacolt and Amboy with serene forests and spectacular mountains. You can have the city buzz with the metropolitan clatter and clank of the busy bees downtown or you can hear nothing but the breeze through trees and the summer crickets singing at night.

The best part is that it is only about half an hour drive between to two extremes! That is more amazing than the sum of all the views. City to Country and back on your lunch hour.

I had an open house last weekend in a high rise condo downtown. The Farmer's Market was happening, the sun was out and the crowds were buzzing around the park soaking up the vitamin D after a chilly and snowy second half of winter. There is a serious cool factor being in the thick of the city with everything a short walk away, yet high above it all.

Clark County views are a diverse mix of city, suburban, and rural and they are all fabulous. What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view.

What About the 'lesser' Urban Views?

I recently wrote an article for Urban Living in the 'Couv' about views that are eliminated or obstructed when new high-rise projects are erected. That article focused on the potential for loss of property value as well as losing the view which may have been an important part of the decision to buy a particular unit.

Here is a link to that article: Careful, Urban Views can be Fleeting

But many units in urban areas already have obstructed views of the city. In fact the target project of the above reference article is Parkview Tower in Downtown Vancouver WA. This building has west facing units with a permanently protected view of Esther Short Park but the east facing units all look directly at Vancouver Center 3.

What about these obstructed urban views? Some may feel that their is a lack of privacy when you are looking right into the windows of another high rise only 50-100 feet away. But there is a certain cool vibe about it. Sure, at night you might want to pull the blinds in your bedroom, but looking out your living room window after dark yields a pretty nice city lights type experience. For some there is value in this real urban type view, that whole New York City style view. You don't have to be up 40 floors to get it either.

Really the view is highly subjective. Some people just like being up high off the ground, others expect a view to include something spectacular like a grand panorama or a river, mountain, etc. To each his own as they say, but bear in mind that those more majestic views will not come cheap in most cases. But "not cheap" is subjective as well. This nice little condo in Parkview is listed for $350k and features a permanent view of the very majestic, Esther Short Park. Who says you can't get a cheap view? The guy with a budget of 290k, I guess ;)

Whatever you do, enjoy the view be it majestic or just another building.



 

Best Mobile Home Park View?

Well friends if you need a mobile home Portland is your town! Yes I will head a mile south of the border to Hayden Island where we find the Hayden Island Manufactured Home Community. It is here where you will find a mobile home park with a few hundred mobile homes. Roughly 50 of these homes actually front the Columbia River. These home owners have had the prime viewing spot for the rise of Vancouver's new waterfront. The riverfront mobile homes have a small walking trail that lies between them and the embankment that drops down to the river.

Downtown Vancouver and Waterfront, taken from pathway
along river at Hayden Island Manufactured Home Community

The views from these manufactured homes, mostly double wide units and small lots, are as good as some homes I have seen in the multi-million dollar price range. These homes are much less expensive than that.
This is the view you'd get from one of the many decks strategically placed fronting the water in this pretty nice mobile home park.

One has to wonder how this park has resisted the temptation to redevelop this prime piece of Hayden Island riverfront. Yet it remains and oddly so does the empty lot just tot he east that was the former home of the Thunderbird Hotel.

It is kind of nice that folks on a more modest budget can find a place with a King's view yet it is an odd state of affairs to have that kind of real estate value under developed.

Sold unit $117k July, 2018

The unit shown to the left was sold over the summer at the tidy little price of only $117,000. That is cheap, but the space rent on these waterfront parcels is a bit higher than one might expect in a mobile home park community coming in at $922/month and likely rises every year. That is coupled with property taxes of $1850 a year. This view manny would cost roughly $1700 a month if financed. That is about what a garden variety no frills two bedroom apartment costs. Not bad really. Apartments in this area on either side of the river sporting a view like this would easily command double that monthly ticket.

So this quirky place on the island offers something genuinely unique in the area and for that it earns a spot on my golden view properties list. Very cool and remember, whatever your do, be sure to enjoy the view.

I'll be heading out through the Gorge on Friday to shoot pictures of a new listing way out in Goldendale. Some gorgeous views await all who venture into the amazing Columbia River Gorge. I'll revisit a post from yesteryear below.

Originaly posted September 18th, 2014, by Rod Sager

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is quite spectacular. The area is governed by a commission that makes building homes in the region challenging. The commission must approve all buildings and has a very strict set of guidelines for new construction. This is all intended to protect the integrity of America's second largest gorge behind the Grand Canyon.

All of that gorge commission red tape aside, the views from some of the homes are stunning. This 1.39 acre lot in White Salmon, Washington is listed at $500,000. It is in one of the few urban exemption zones and thus requires no gorge commission review to build. The views are quite amazing both urban and natural. This lot looks across the Columbia into Hood River, Oregon.

Prices are steep for these exempt parcels but the home will have an obstruction free view of one of the worlds most spectacular natural features and the glimmering lights of Hood River on the other shore.

The gorge-ous home shown here is listed at 1.1 million and is on the same bluff as the land listing. This is a spacious three bedroom home with 2600 squares and a three acre lot. The home has equally dramatic vistas. Looking West peers into the temperate rain forest portion of the Gorge. Looking East shows the dramatic transition to arid grass lands.

The Columbia River Gorge is a truly remarkable scenic area and to live up on a bluff overlooking this magnificent natural wonder is absolutely heavenly.

White Salmon is a city of roughly 2,300 people in Klickitat County. It is connected to Hood River, OR by the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge across the Columbia River. This long cantilever bridge spans nearly a mile across the river and features a lift section to accommodate commercial river traffic. White Salmon is 68 miles East of Downtown Vancouver via Washington State Hwy 14.

Hood River, Oregon has roughly 7,900 people and a nice historic downtown area. The city is 65 miles East of Portland, OR via Interstate 84.

This is a great area to retire and soak up the bounty of nature. The Washington side offers some advantages to retirees which you can read about on my Retire to Washington Blog.

I highly recommend you take a lovely drive into the Gorge and please, enjoy the view.

Vancouver's Felida has Views!

Not many people are likely to think of Felida as a view oriented neighborhood, but it does have several developments that offer great views. The extreme western end of the Felida area offers beautiful sunset views of the Coastal Mountains, Vancouver Lake and even the Columbia River. Along the northern edge of Felida there are subdivisions with homes perched above the gorgeous Salmon Creek Greenway. These homes feature views of Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and in some cases even the Mighty Mt. Rainier. The latter requires a crisp and clear day to see.

I took some photos of a new listing for one of my real estate colleagues and it happened to be a cloudy day. I got excellent photos and clouds provide a soft light. But the view off in the distance was obscured. I went back a couple of days later when the sun was out and much to my delight, the home had excellent mountain views to complement the greenway views.

Now this was not a modest home, but there are many homes in the Felida area offering up surprisingly beautiful vistas for prices that are within reach of a typical middle class earner. I love value views!

This home however was a little further up the scale as it was brilliantly designed and well appointed. With over 4500 SF it was out of reach for the aforementioned typical middle class earner.

Felida is an area that is mixed in the age range of neighborhoods. Unlike the Salmon Creek area to the north which is almost entirely post 1990 development, this area has subdivisions ranging in age from the 1960s right on up to brand new developments. Many of the older neighborhoods were built with very modest middle class homes that are well within the reach of mainstream buyers. These homes when coupled to a view will be significantly more expensive than homes in other areas such as Orchards, but the fact that one can get a view home without having to have a very large house is nice. I mentioned this when I wrote about Harney Heights, here.

So even though this home is a rather nice home at twice the median price, it went pending in 2 days at $689k. The home was great and the view was better than most would expect based on location. You see, this home is only situated about 270 feet above sea level. Salmon Creek is under 30 feet so the house looks out across the creek with a view that belies the home's relatively low elevation.

Low elevation views are nice because you get way less winter snow at 270 feet than you do in a place like Summer Hills at close to 1000 feet. Personally I like snow, but for many it is a nuisance.
These "secret views" are all over Vancouver. There are dozens of pocket neighborhoods with great views all over the city and some are attached to houses that are modest, others like this one are more expensive. And yes there are those multi-million dollar spots in Felida as well.

Felida area shown on Google Earth and roughly outlined in red. This area is typically accessed from exit 5 on Interstate 5. So yes it is close in just 5 miles north of the Columbia River and a dozen miles to Downtown Portland. As always be sure to Enjoy the View!

Vancouver's Secret View Neighborhood

Photo from RMLS, sold home 2015

A secret view society in the 'Couv', really? No not really, but there are a few places in Vancouver that are simply not noted for having views, but yet have great views. One of these "secret" neighborhoods is Harney Heights.

The broad area referred to as the "Heights" actually is composed of many neighborhoods including, South Cliff, Dubois Park, Evergreen Highlands, Northcrest, and several others as you move east towards Cascade Park. South Cliff and Dubois are rather spendy areas and many of the homes in that area feature spectacular views of the Columbia River and city lights. But Harney Heights is much less pretentious and the homes on the bluff are very reasonably priced when the view is taken into consideration.

Harney Heights is at the west end of the "Heights" area and is immediately east of Vancouver's Central Park area. Most of the homes in Harney heights are WWII and mid century designs. They are mostly modest homes and the vast majority do not feature a view. But all of the homes along the bluff that overlooks Fourth Plain Village have a nice view to the North and many offer a surprisingly breathtaking view of the Mighty Mount Saint Helens. These homes are only about 100 feet higher than the valley floor but the bluff is very steep and it is enough to see over the top of most of the trees in the area.

The result is a pretty nice view of the Cascades including our favorite angry volcano and the surrounding terrain. Of course the night time view will feature all the city lights from the scores of neighborhoods in Northeast Vancouver.

These homes are not terribly expensive. They are generally smaller homes with less than 1600 square feet and many are classic bungalows. The ones with views like the photo will of course fetch a premium, they are still rather affordable many with prices in the $300k range.

Whether you are on the south side of the Heights or taking advantage of deals to north, enjoy the view.

Peek-a-Boo; I see you!

Occasionally I photograph homes for other real estate agents. I always ask if the property has views. Sometimes the agent says, "no." When I arrive I may find a peek-a-boo view or even a great view that went unnoticed by the agent. This can be a value view!

Any home with a grand vista will likely have a stiff premium added to its asking price. But for those looking for the budget view one may have to poke around a bit to find it.

The picture of Mount Hood was made from the back patio of a house that did "not" have a view. In all fairness, the full length rear deck did not offer a view but if you leaned out over the rail just a bit this mountain came into clear view. Better yet, out beyond the deck was a patio area that took full advantage of the view providing that you were standing and not sitting.

This hardly constitutes calling the listing a "view property" but mentioning a peek-a-boo view does add some value to some people. People like me.

I love views even when they are of the minimalistic variety. I am likely not alone in this desire to have a view. Since many of us cannot afford to spend the enormous amounts of money on a home custom built to soak up one of the many grand spectacles of nature and man, some of us have to take it where we can find it.

What ever you do, be sure to enjoy the view!

Bargain Views are a Available in the 'Couv'

Is there even such a thing? Yes, my friends, there is indeed. Right here in the beautiful 'Couv' there are a few select neighborhoods that have modestly priced homes perched atop a bluff with spectacular views. "Really," You ask? Yes, really.

In particular the Heights area of Vancouver, which includes a variety of neighborhoods, ranging in price from the millions of dollars to very modest accommodations in the mid 200s. South of Mill Plain the prices rapidly rise until reaching the southern bluff where majestic homes are perched on the cliff with breathtaking views of the Columbia River, Mount Hood, and the City of Portland. This is one of Vancouver's original modern affluent neighborhoods dating back to the 1950s. Don't expect any "bargains" in South Cliff or Dubois Park.

This is a crappy cell phone pic, but you get the idea!

Interestingly enough, the same area north of Mill Plain has much more pedestrian homes. There is a whole bunch of 1950s and 60s ranch homes with the classic 3/2 or 3/1 layout on large lots often in the 10,000 square foot range. As it is with the southern bluff so it is with the northern bluff, except that the northern bluff has many small and relatively simple homes perched on the cliff. Harney Heights and Northcrest both offer some great view opportunities with pricing that is within reach of the middle class. The Majestic Cascades are brilliantly displayed with Mount Saint Helens the prominent feature. The homes along the north bluff are about 150 feet above Fourth Plain Village down to the Andresen Corridor. This is high enough to see over the tall trees below. There is even a condo/townhouse complex with some units featuring nice views in the 200k range. The photo above was taken while I was showing one of the units there a few years ago.

If you get far enough west, some homes may offer a view of the mighty Mount Rainier, the lower 48s second highest mountain and the jewel of the Cascade range. Some homes in this area offer views of Mount Adams, Washington's second highest mountain. If you are really lucky you might find a home with views of both of them. They do exist, I have seen them! Since this bluff faces North you will not find views of Oregon's Mount Hood nor any Columbia River views, but that may be precisely why there are relative bargains here. The Columbia River and Mount Hood are the areas most coveted views. A grand panorama taking in those vistas could set you back seven figures. If you aren't mingling with the 1% crowd, they are likely out of reach. But these north facing properties provide great views on a modest budget. Don't expect to find modern homes with the latest layouts, these are older properties. Some are dated and others are remodeled, but they are for the most art older. This may be Vancouver's best kept secret, at least regarding view property.

I am always on the hunt for views, even the peek-a-boo variety and I will tell you about them here. So please Enjoy the View.

Columbia River Gorge Views are Heavenly

The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful scenic areas in the world. We are quite fortunate to be nestled right up to the western entrance from our locale here in the Metro Portland-Vancouver area. Since the area is part of a National Scenic Recreation Area, there is a strict commission that oversees any development that can impact the area. There are a few grandfathered exceptions in places like Stevenson, WA, White Salmon, WA, and Hood River, OR.

Homes and lots within these exempt areas do come at a premium, but the views can often take the price pain away.

A friend and colleague of mine has a gorgeous 9 acre site with 8 engineered lots in White Salmon exempt from the Gorge Commission some of which offer breathtaking views of Mount Hood, OR, and the Columbia River Gorge.

White Salmon is in the transition point from the lush and wet Western Gorge to the drier, sunnier Eastern Gorge. I have written about White Salmon in the past you can check here. The warmer in the summer and drier conditions are often desired by retirees looking for a beautiful retreat. This area is close enough in and low enough in elevation to avoid a really cold and bitter winter but it will be notably chillier than the Western flank of the Cascades here in Vancouver.

Whether you want to look at real estate or just getaway form the city the Gorge is a place to enjoy the view!

Kalama Captures Views at a Bargain

Kalama is a great little town right off I-5 thirty miles north of America's Vancouver. This is a popular stop off for antique shops as the quaint Main Street through the business is filled with charming businesses. Kalama is built into a west facing hillside that is quite steep. At the top of the bluff there are a variety of developments ranging from 1960s to modern homes. Some of these homes have great views of the Columbia River, the Oregon Coast Mountains and fabulous sunsets.

You know why sunset views are so much better than sunrise views? Who the hell wants to wake up at 5:00 AM to watch a summer sunrise? Sunsets are coffee optional.

Kalama is a sunsetters dream locale. I pulled this listing off the MLS this morning and take a peak at what $335,000 will buy you in this lovely town.

This home is located in town just a couple of minutes to I-5. The ride to Vancouver takes a swift thirty minutes and depending on traffic another 10-30 will get you into downtown Portland.

The ability to feel like you live a hundred miles away from the city when in fact you are only 30 miles out is a plus here in the Greater Metro Portland/Vancouver area.

Back to the house. It has four bedrooms and two and half baths. There is a spacious 2471 square feet of living space situated on a good sized city lot of about 8000 square feet. Move this home 15 miles south to Ridgefield and you jump to half a million dollars! Kalama really is a bargain for view properties!

Soaring in the Heights

If you want to 'enjoy the view' Vancouver's Heights is a great area with a mix of older and newer homes. Today I am featuring three properties currently listed on the MLS. All of the photos in this post were excerpted from the public MLS site.

The first home is modestly priced for a view property in the Heights. Listed at $449,000 it still manages to offer 3780 square feet of space with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It also offers a very nice view. This home was originally built in 1960 but has had more recent remodeling. This home offers up million dollar views for less than half that amount. The home is charming and quite comfortable. And about that view across the mighty Columbia over to downtown Portland; that's just really nice.

The second home featured today is a touch more spendy, priced at $875,000. It is however, a more modern home and quite a bit more elegant as well. This one offers 4821 square feet with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The view here is a sweeping panoramic from Mount Hood to the Interstate Bridge. This home is located lower on the hill off of Evergreen Blvd. The River is closer but the view is from a lower elevation than the first home. None-the-less this home was built around the view. It has a gorgeous covered patio that takes in the full 180 degrees of panoramic bliss. I could really get used to this place. It has a bit of that Mediterranean villa vibe and the view is worthy. Like I said, I could get used to this.

The third home has a prestigious address. It lies off Dubois Drive and is perched out on the bluff that overlooks the River. It features views across to Portland. This one is priced in the millionaire's club at $1,200,000. It has 5816 square feet of space with four bedrooms, two full baths and three partial baths. This home is also situated on a junior acre (0.91). There is a fantastic veranda that wraps the whole rear of the home, providing spectacular unobstructed views. Homes on the south side of Dubois like this one, are nicely positioned on the edge of a bluff that drops abruptly. This is why these homes have completely unobstructed views. The top of the bluff is about 300 feet above the Columbia River. I really love this house!

Prune Hill Views

From RMLS

There are many great locations in Clark County that provide homeowners with fabulous views. Today I am going to focus on one of the more popular locations, Prune Hill in Camas and Vancouver. Prune Hill is a geological feature that is prominent in the city of Camas and offers homes and lots with views of the Gorge, Vancouver, Portland, Mount Hood, The Columbia River and more.

The strongest attributes to this area is both the proximity to the urban amenities and the location very close to the Columbia River. The residents of this area are primarily located in the city of Camas but there are a few Vancouver neighborhoods on the west side of Prune Hill.

From RMLS

Another great feature about this area is the diversity of view properties. In the current market there are still view homes on the east slopes that are older but offer great Mount Hood  and river views. These older homes are generally more modest in design but some can be had in the upper 200's. As we move up towards the top and into the new neighborhoods prices do rise quickly and there are many neighborhoods with a seven figure cover charge.

This portion of Camas is very close to many things. The 192nd Avenue Corridor in Vancouver is just a minute or two away. Vancouver's large 164th and Mill Plain corridor just a couple of minutes more. Downtown Camas is also very close. Recreational activities are less than ten minutes away as well at Lacamas Park, Lacamas Lake, Round Lake, the Mighty Columbia River, Camas Meadows and Green Mountain golf courses and more.

This location is just 10-15 minutes from PDX and offers breathtaking views. Depending on the specific lot or home the views can be of Portland city lights, Vancouver and Portland, the River or into the Gorge and Mount Hood. Some of the more expensive homes feature up to 220 degrees of panoramic views sweeping from the Gorge, past Mount Hood and across the city of Portland and the West Hills. Prune Hill rises to an elevation just shy of 800 feet above sea level. The lower slopes begin at around 300 feet on the west side and drop nearly all the way down to sea level on the downtown Camas side.

The three pictures to the left are taken from the local MLS. This home under construction has since been built and sold. This is one of those more expensive homes and it had a prime lot with a wide panoramic view from Mount Hood to across the Columbia into Portland. Homes like this can easily flirt with a million dollars and larger more decadent properties are located nearby as well.

For those with a slimmer budget; there are still wonderful view homes in the area at $300k to $400k.

Prune Hill is an urban setting. Most homes in this region are built on hilly lots with less than 10,000 square feet; often much less. The streets can be treacherous during snow events that bring more than two inches of snow. Aside from those occasional bouts of wintry snow, this area is all about urban convenience. It is very close to schools, shopping and other city amenities and yet one can quickly escape to a more rural setting in just a matter of a few short minutes.

It is hard to beat Prune Hill if you are looking for a view property in close to town.