Evergreen Dream: Finding Your Ideal Family Home in the PNW

We all have that checklist in our brain when it comes to describing the perfect home. For some, it’s what’s inside—like an open kitchen or the ideal number of bedrooms. For others, it’s about what’s outside the door, whether that’s easy access to green spaces or a diverse, welcoming community. But whatever motivates you, one thing is clear: your checklist can shift a lot when it starts working in service of your family. 

Suddenly, things you never thought about before—like good schools, playgrounds, and health and safety—become absolutely critical. Thankfully, for all the questions that go into buying a family home, there are some tried and true ways to lock in on what’s going to work. To help, we’ve done the research and put together a simple list that covers some of the top considerations for families as they make this important decision. We hope it helps you on your own journey!

Location, Location, Location

If you’re already sold on the Pacific Northwest experience, then you’re probably a fan of stunning scenery, delicious food, and more dog parks than you can shake a well-chewed stick at. Many homebuyers are also finding joy in the idea of a master-planned community, which puts schools, shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and more all in one place. This thoughtful mix of suburban and urban living—designed to combine the best parts of both—is starting to be seen as a “just right” zone for many families who are tired of dealing with too many compromises in the big city. 

Parks, Playgrounds & Kid-Friendly Amenities

Countless studies have shown the benefits of outdoor space on children’s health, cognition, and learning, impacting skills that are critical to development and social relationships. Yet, while it may be common to see a park in every neighborhood, master-planned communities frequently boast multiple parks in the same amount of space, so parents can switch up their outings based on their child’s mood or needs. What parent wouldn’t love the idea of 5 different parks within a mile of their home?

At Reed’s Crossing, for example, each park has its own unique features—from the skate dot in Tamarack Park to climbing boulders in Reed’s Crossing Park. The community even has a park designed specifically around education! In the Nature Education Area, colorful signs teach kids about how insects and birds help bring flowering plants to life while they hunt for the tiny paw prints and miniature frogs and snakes “hidden” in the play structures. 

In addition, businesses in Reed’s Crossing Town Center offer kid-friendly activities to help littles expend their boundless energy. Active Wellness Center has private & group swim lessons from toddler to adult, while children in Active Kids Club explore arts and crafts, a reading room, sports, games, and more. Not to mention their popular Parents’ Night Out program, where parents can get a break by dropping the kids off for an evening of play. From Lunar New Year at The Ackerly to Holi in Tamarack Park, there are also tons of opportunities for kids in the community to learn about other cultures. Many of these events are open to the public, so if you’re curious about what it’s like to live here, this is your chance to find out!

Schools & Educational Opportunities

Ask a room full of parents if they’ve ever worried about their child’s future and every hand will go up. This is especially true when it comes to schools, which are usually one of the primary considerations for new family homes. And while city schools may be struggling, those in suburban areas are largely thriving. Studies have shown that suburban districts are better funded and more likely to offer curriculums where ELA and STEM, along with art and music, are standard. It’s even been shown that more suburban students go to college than their urban and rural peers.

In a master-planned community, schools are often built right into the neighborhood. In Reed’s Crossing, the Hillsboro School District owns several acres, with a brand-new elementary school and more schools tentatively planned for the future. Welcoming its first class of bright minds in 2023, Tamarack Elementary School features a rooftop solar array, STEAM lab, think tank, abundant natural lighting, and several group learning areas adjacent to the classrooms. Thanks to a symbiotic partnership with the community, the school’s gymnasium and turf field are available to area youth, leading to increased recreation options for those living here, while nearby Tamarack Park and the Nature Education Area offer opportunities for outdoor learning. The new school also enjoys a first-of-its-kind partnership with OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry), integrating scientific inquiry as part of its curriculum while also hosting various OMSI summer camp programs.

Affordability & Maintenance 

Finding the right balance between what you want and what you can afford can be tricky. There is little that feels worse than falling in love with a home only to receive an inspection report full of costly issues. Not to mention, many older homes include materials that emit toxins, like asbestos or lead. The good news is these headaches can often be sidestepped by looking into areas with new construction homes. 

Besides allowing homebuyers to forgo legacy issues like mold, water damage, roof replacement, or foundation problems, new construction can offer growing families more options and ways to customize their new home. Here in South Hillsboro, there are six different builders working within Reed’s Crossing, all of which offer their own unique layouts, styles, and options to choose from. This also allows communities like ours to offer a variety of price points, meaning more buyers can find a home they feel good about.

Layouts & Flex Space

One of the most important things for families to consider when shopping for a new home is how their needs may change over the years. Will a house that’s perfect for a toddler accommodate a teenager? How about two? Is there a quiet spot for homework, space to gather for family movie night, and enough room to host the grandparents or extended family? Weighing these options is very personal, and one of the reasons we always suggest people consult with a builder before locking into a specific plan. They’re the experts! 

However, one trend that’s growing fast is flex space, a handy term for rooms or areas in a home that can be used in different ways throughout your life there. Flexibility is key—ideally, the same room could be a sweet nursery, a teenage oasis, or a hobby room once parents find themselves with an empty nest. At Reed’s Crossing, we’ve seen residents use their flex spaces as home theaters, guest bedrooms, yoga studios, playrooms, workout spaces, and more. But what we love most about this idea is that it lets you change your home to match your needs at any time, meaning less worry about outgrowing a space and more time spent enjoying your home.

Community Culture

The right house can quickly feel wrong if you don’t mesh with your neighbors. And while simply walking around a new neighborhood at different times of day can go a long way, we recommend doing a little research into your new potential neighborhood—starting with the neighborhood association.

At worst, there won’t be one at all. At best, you’ll find a passionate group of people who truly care about their community. Since the earliest days of development, we’ve seen the residents of Reed’s Crossing banding together, starting clubs, and fully embracing their new surroundings. If you’re the type of family that loves meeting new people, it’s hard to find a more welcoming bunch.

We also recommend looking into what your HOA offers. While homeowners associations can get a bad rap, there are plenty out there that are doing it right. In Reed’s Crossing, the HOA doesn’t just cover things like front-yard maintenance. They also create a fun-filled monthly newsletter and a robust events calendar alongside the Reed’s Crossing Social Committee. From the annual Halloween Parade to the Summer Food Truck Series and Movies in the Park, there’s never a shortage of things for kids and families to do. Can you say the same about your neighborhood? If not, it may be time for a change!

Is your family ready to find the perfect PNW home? Take a virtual tour, come by for a visit, or sneak a peek at what’s in store for the future.