Sherwood/Tualatin North - Sherwood, OR

The Sherwood-Tualatin North area was home to the Atfalati band of the Kalapuya Native American tribe until the pioneers came to settle. The neighborhood and the nearby areas remained quiet and peaceful until the California Gold Rush, which sent hundreds of people eager to make their fortune to the region. Today, the Sherwood area, according to Money magazine, ranks in the top 20 most-livable cities in the United States.

The Sherwood Foundation for the Arts frequently puts on summer musicals and also offers a jigsaw puzzle competition if you need more excitement in your day-to-day life. In addition, the West Linn Arts Festival, which features local artists on an annual basis, lies just southeast of the Sherwood-Tualatin North area.

Though Sherwood-Tualatin North stays quiet for much of the day, the lively restaurant scenes in both Old Sherwood and the Tualatin Commons lay just a short drive away. In Old Sherwood, Fat Milo's rises above all the other restaurants in the area. With a tiny seating area and a small-town restaurant feel, Fat Milo's offers vegetarian options as well as heavy, meaty breakfasts such as the enchilada omelet. The specialty wrap, complete with sunflower seeds and sweet potato pieces, also wins over the locals.

Closer to the Sherwood-Tualatin North neighborhood lies Crazy Sushi — a sushi place that prides itself on its bizarre combinations and piles upon piles of food; always come hungry to Crazy Sushi. From the crunch lobster roll to the monkey brain (avocado stuffed with crab salad and deep fried), the dishes are ideal if you have adventurous taste buds.

Taqueria Las Casitas, located more toward the Tualatin area, amazes with its fresh corn tortillas, white refried beans and succulent meat. Don't expect any wimpy salsa here; you’re going to get the spiciest, freshest homemade salsa you can imagine, and you won't soon forget it. If you’re feeling exotic, make sure to try the lengua burrito.

Plenty of pubs and bars have made home in and around the Sherwood area, and to get your Irish beer fix, you can head on down to Two Kilts Brewing Company, which excites with a wide selection of premium imported beers from the United Kingdom. Or, for a great time with line dancing and drinks, go toward Tualatin to Bushwhackers, which does not require a cover fee for ladies on Thursday nights.

Though getting onto I-5 can take upwards of 15 minutes from the Sherwood-Tualatin area even without traffic, Pacific Highway 99 and Sherwood-Tualatin Road offer faster ways out of the area into Portland or out toward Salem. The 76 bus, the 96 bus and the WES train remain popular methods of going around town and toward the Beaverton area, and a two-hour ticket costs $2.50 for either.

More than 21 bike lanes line the streets in Sherwood, and 111 bike trails lie in the Tualatin area, making every bike ride safe and, sometimes, adventurous. If you plan to walk in the Sherwood-Tualatin North area, you might be in for an hour or more depending on your destination because the neighborhood has been primarily residential and sprawls out as you go further north.

Calling a cab has never been a problem in the neighborhood, but it would be strange to other residents if you tried to hail one. Though some areas of the greater Portland area use Uber, Sherwood-Tualatin North does not yet over Uber service. Unlike in Portland, parking remains both plentiful and free in most areas of the Sherwood-Tualatin North neighborhood.

Sherwood-Tualatin North claims the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, which offers the biggest and best place to see wildlife in their natural habitats in the area. Walking trails abound, and the visitors' center offers binocular rentals — a must-have for truly enjoying the scenery.

Because admission remains free, this park has captivated both tourists and locals; however, you cannot bring your bike on the walking trails. To not disturb the wildlife, pets cannot enter the refuge. In addition, running is not allowed. For more open and less restrictive walking and running trails, in addition to a playground, you can head over to Pioneer Park, which also has a beautifully shaded area for lounging parents.

Living in Oregon has never been very cheap, and the Sherwood-Tualatin North neighborhood does not make exceptions. On average, it costs around 10 percent more to live in this area than the Oregon average, and it costs 25 percent more than the national average. The average cost to rent an apartment typically settles around $930 per month.

At Bushwackers, you can get a beer for $1 on Thursdays, but the average cost of a beer is $4-$5 when you get it at a pub. On the other hand, gas costs about 7 percent more than the national average, but the cost equals the average cost of gas in Portland.

Old Town in Sherwood has the biggest selection of locally owned stores in the neighborhood, including Bishop Manor Toys and Railroad Street Antique Mall, which offer great gifts and eccentric finds. Heading back over toward Tualatin, the Rosewood Shopping Center lies just a few minutes by car away, and the well-known Bridgeport shopping center only takes around 10 minutes to get to when the traffic is sparse. Once there, you have access to Barnes and Noble, Apple and restaurants such as P.F. Chang’s.

To get your groceries for the week, Fred Meyer, Safeway and Target all serve the Sherwood-Tualatin North neighborhood. However, the Tualatin Farmers Market offers fresher, local produce, but the selection can sometimes leave you wanting more.