Mt Park - Lake Oswego, OR

Carl Halvorson developed his vision for the community of Mountain Park and officially established the neighborhood in 1968. Today, residents enjoy luxurious access to bountiful parks and playgrounds, miles of trails, tennis courts and a neighborhood recreation center.

For a dose of city history, check out the changing exhibits and regular events at the Oswego Heritage House, located about a mile from the neighborhood. In addition to housing rare historical artifacts and photographs, the cheerful staff always welcome the opportunity to share their extensive knowledge about various aspects of Lake Oswego's history.

The staff at the Mountain Park Clubhouse also host a variety of community events, programs and services at the clubhouse every month, including family movie nights, holiday bazaars, parties and a regular concert series.

The planned nature of Mountain Park means that much of the area is either undeveloped natural land or more manicured park spaces, but residents enjoy convenient access to the restaurants and businesses that surround the neighborhood.

Located on the northern border of the neighborhood, Mountain Park Plaza contains a ground floor of retail and restaurant options with office spaces on the upper floors. Indulge your Mediterranean cravings at Pasha, sometimes hailed as the best Middle Eastern food in the Portland area. Check out the daily lunch buffet to try a bit of everything.

For a light breakfast, a terrific coffee, a fresh lunch, or a satisfying dinner, head to the Harvest Wine Bar. Of course, wine is the heart of the restaurant -- check out the extensive wine list.

When you just want a great pizza, Flying Pie Pizzeria near the northeast corner of Mountain Park has you covered. Order the Miss Piggy pie and revel in pizza generously smothered with evenly distributed toppings.

When darkness falls, hop to the nearby Hanko's Sports Bar & Grill for a night of pool, darts, table tennis, and good drinks. A popular cluster of bars also awaits northwest of the neighborhood. Stop by Walter Mitty's at the Mountain Park Plaza for cozy ambiance and a great summer view from the outdoor patio, then continue up towards Bullseye Pub for Thursday night trivia.

Members of the Mountain Park community spend lots of their time hiking the beautiful wilderness that surrounds them. Find some wheels when you want to explore more urban spaces or just get from one side of the neighborhood to the other. As in the rest of Portland and Lake Oswego, bikers are a common sight in the streets of Mountain Park -- just note that some neighborhood trails are off-limits to bikers in order to preserve the natural space.

TriMet's bus route 78 stops in northwest Mountain Park and thereby connects the neighborhood to the surrounding Portland area. The membership-based taxi service Uber also offers convenient, classy rides to residents of Mountain Park and Lake Oswego. Register with the company to order and pay for fast, safe rides anytime and anywhere from the convenience of your smartphone.

Finding a place to park your car in this natural neighborhood is rarely a problem. In addition, Mountain Park lies less than a mile east from Interstate 5 and Highway 99W.

Nicknamed "Nature's Neighborhood," Mountain Park envelopes its residents and visitors alike with revitalizing natural spaces and fresh air. Walking trails meander through all of the Mountain Park's seven parks as well as through the wild common area of the neighborhood. Feel free to bring your four-legged friends along when you go exploring.

At 975 feet, the grassy Nansen Summit Park in northwest Mountain Park provides a beautiful 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape and cities. View the Cascade mountain range on a clear day, watch the sun set on Portland's cityscape, or enjoy a family picnic in the grassy area.

Just north of the clubhouse on Jefferson Parkway, you can play tennis at Brook Gutman Park or bring your kids to McNary City Park to enjoy the water reservoir and playground. Celebrate the Fourth of July with an annual community picnic at Tanglewood Park, and participate in the Easter egg hunt that takes place every year in Touchstone Park.

A private, luxurious life surrounded by nature with simultaneous proximity to the urban delights of the Rose City makes the cost of living in Mountain Park about 13 percent higher than the cost of living in Portland. You can rent a one-bedroom residence for an average of $982.70 in this neighborhood and expect to pay about $4 for a beer at a local pub. Gas prices average about 12 percent higher than the national average, but a TriMet ride to Portland's city center will set you back just $2.50.

While the Mountain Park Plaza features a few stores on its ground floor, the most unique cluster of shopping options sits near the northeast corner of the neighborhood. Browse a one-of-a-kind selection of vintage accessories and home decor at the Iron Gate Cottage, and talk with the creative owner to develop your own decorating and refurbishing ideas. Next, take a walk down the block to help develop custom-made fine jewelry at Trios Studio. Rest easy with unparalleled access to fair-trade gemstones and the owners' use of sustainable practices in all aspects of creating these beautiful, limited production pieces. Nearby, outfit the little ones in your life with affordable, finely-kept clothing and furniture from Hanna Andersson Outlet.

While you're in the area, get your food at the most popular neighborhood grocery store, New Seasons Market. New Seasons stocks locally sourced products as well as home goods and wellness supplies. The Lake Oswego Farmers' Market also takes place two miles from Mountain Park at the Millennium Plaza Park on First Street, every Saturday from May through October.