Where to Live in
Beaverton

The 2026 Beaverton Shortlist

Summary Table

The 2026 Vibe Check

Beaverton is finally cracking its "big suburb" shell. For years, the city orbited Portland like a moon with no real center. That’s changing. The real estate gravity has shifted toward Southwest and Downtown, creating two distinct poles. The "Miracle Mile" along SW Hall Blvd is the new frontier; it’s a strip of aging strip malls getting a facelift by high-density apartments and light rail extensions. Gentrification isn't a wave here; it's a slow, aggressive tide pushing out from Cedar Hills Crossing toward Beaverton Central.

You can feel the tension in the parking lots. Longtime locals complain about the MAX Light Rail noise and the loss of character, while the influx of tech workers from Intel and NVIDIA is fueling a boom in luxury rentals. The dive bars are disappearing. The Round is the symbol of this shift—a massive concrete mixed-use blob that feels sterile but is always packed. If you're looking for grit, you won't find it. If you're looking for walkable amenities and new construction, the Southwest Corridor is your target.

The Shortlist

Raleigh Hills

• The Vibe: Established Suburbia
• Rent Check: Above Average
• The Good: This is the gold standard for families who want Beaverton schools without the density. You get actual yards here, not the postage stamps in South Beaverton. The schools (Raleigh Park Elementary) are top-tier. It’s walkable in pockets, specifically around SW Scholls Ferry Rd and SW 100th Ave, where you have the Raleigh Hills Shopping Center with a decent New Seasons and the Laurelwood Public House.
• The Bad: Traffic on Scholls Ferry is a nightmare during rush hour. Older housing stock means expensive maintenance (get your sewer scoped immediately). It feels sleepy if you’re under 40.
• Best For: Families prioritizing school districts and backyard space.
• Insider Tip: Drive SW 102nd Ave between Scholls Ferry and SW Farmington Rd. It’s tree-lined perfection and shows you what Beaverton used to be.

Central Beaverton

• The Vibe: Hipster Main St
• Rent Check: Average
• The Good: This is the only area in Beaverton that feels like a "neighborhood" rather than a development. The Beaverton Farmers Market is legitimately one of the best in the state, taking over SW 5th St. You’re walking distance to Bagdad Theater (the Hollywood equivalent) and the Beaverton Central MAX station. The coffee scene is strong; Coava Coffee Roasters on SW 5th is the local office.
• The Bad: The homelessness issue is visible here, especially near the transit center. Parking is a nightmare on weekends. The housing stock is a mix of tiny 1950s cottages and overpriced flips.
• Best For: Young professionals who want a walkable life and easy access to Portland.
• Insider Tip: Skip the chain spots on Cedar Hills Crossing. Go to SW 3rd Ave and grab a beer at The Hop & Vine (if you can get a seat).

South Beaverton

• The Vibe: Commuter Hub
• Rent Check: Below Average
• The Good: Location, location, location. You are practically on top of the Southwest Corridor MAX line. If you work at Intel or Nike, your commute is 10 minutes. The inventory here is newer (mostly 2000s builds) and the prices are still reasonable compared to Raleigh Hills. The Riverview Restaurant is a solid local dive on SW Lombard Ave.
• The Bad: It is dense. You are looking at your neighbor's wall. There is zero walkability outside of the transit corridor. It lacks soul; it’s a place to sleep, not a place to hang out.
• Best For: Tech workers who want to maximize sleep time by minimizing commute.
• Insider Tip: Look for rentals specifically near SW Hall Blvd and SW Scholls Ferry Rd. The new construction here is high quality, and you can hop the MAX at Merlo Rd instantly.

Vose

• The Vibe: Quiet Residential
• Rent Check: Low (for now)
• The Good: This is the sleeper hit. Vose is tucked away in the southwest corner, bordering Tigard. It’s quiet, diverse, and has some of the best food carts in the metro area concentrated near SW 109th Ave and SW Allen Blvd. You get more house for your money here, and the lots are generous. It feels lived-in, not marketed.
• The Bad: You are reliant on buses; the MAX isn't as convenient here. It’s strictly residential, so nightlife is non-existent. You have to drive for everything.
• Best For: First-time homebuyers looking for value and families who want a tight-knit community feel.
• Insider Tip: The Vose Pool is the community hub in summer. Check out the "Beaverton Food Carts" pod on Allen Blvd for dinner—it beats anything in downtown.

Strategic Recommendations

• For Families: Raleigh Hills. The school districts here (specifically Raleigh Park and Ridgewood) hold their value better than anywhere else. You pay a premium for the older homes, but the lot sizes and community engagement are unmatched. Avoid Central Beaverton; the traffic near the schools is chaotic.
• For Wall St / Tech: South Beaverton. The commute to Nike World HQ is 5 minutes; to Hillsboro (Intel) is 15 via US-26. The SW Hall Blvd corridor is being built up specifically for you. If you want to feel like you're in a city, walk to The Round from a rental here.
• The Value Play: Vose. This neighborhood is the next domino to fall. It's adjacent to the desirable parts of Tigard and South Beaverton but hasn't seen the price spike yet. Buy a 1970s ranch here, hold for 5 years, and watch the Southwest Corridor development bleed into it.