Sommerset West-Elmonica South - Hillsboro, OR Area Guide

The Tualatin Valley was originally inhabited by the Atfalati people, who were hunter-gatherers in the summer months and spent the cold winters in long houses near what are now suburbs of Portland. The Atfalati people faced large population decline when European settlers reached the area, and the survivors were moved west to a reservation in 1855.

Like most of the Tualatin Valley, Beaverton and Hillsboro were started by families who made significant land claims in the area. Both areas were early trading centers; riverboats and trains connected the areas to the rest of the country.

The city of Hillsboro plays host to the second largest Fourth of July parade in Oregon every year, bringing families from all over Washington County. The Oregon International Air Show happens at the Hillsboro airport annually and is the largest civilian air show on the West Coast. The Washington County Fair is a family destination every summer.

The close proximity to Portland's hub of entertainment makes living in this Sommerset West-Elmonica South convenient for party-goers and professionals alike. Public transportation from the area is an efficient means for getting to the city center for an evening on the town. For locals looking for a night out closer to home, Sommerset West-Elmonica South has plenty of options, though most trips require a car.

For a true Portland-style experience in the suburbs, head to The Cornelius Pass Roadhouse & Imbrie Hall. This giant brewery, ale house and detached snug sit on 6-acres of farmland. The Little White Shed, true to its name, is a tiny building on this sprawling property that serves a limited selection of craft brews and a large selection of whiskey and scotch. It also allows (and provides) cigars. Outdoor seating at the Shed is limited to campfire-like arrangements, so on cold Oregon nights, locals seek an indoor spot.

If you seek a rustic experience with a grander theme, Imbrie Hall serves McMenamins beer and food. Famous in the Portland area for quirky and quality dishes, Imbrie Hall is a favorite choice for long lunches, casual dinners and big parties. Make sure to order the tater-tots, Cajun seasoned with peppercorn ranch is the only way to go. Burgers are the go-to meal at Imbrie, including the dungeness burger, complete with blue cheese.

Although the food is noteworthy, the real standout feature at The Cornelius Pass Roadhouse is the ambiance. This bar/restaurant is set in a restored barn, with high ceilings, exposed beams and string lights twinkle above diners as they enjoy their brews. After eating, take a walk around the grounds. Relics of the site's former life are scattered throughout the trees, waiting to be discovered.

For sushi lovers, Toshi's is the best place for traditional, no fuss fish at a great price. Oregonians from around the Portland metro area make the trek to this sushi bar in a Beaverton strip mall for the sushi, tuna and ramen dishes. The chirashi bowl is full of salmon, crab and veggies and authentic flavor. If you are a sushi-phobe, don't fear. Toshi's has excellent curry, ramen and veggie rolls to sustain you.

Most errands in Sommerset West-Elmonica South require a car, and accessing major highways and roads is easy from the neighborhood. The public transportation infrastructure in both Hillsboro and Beaverton is great for commuters. Portland-based workers living in Sommerset West-Elmonica South commute on the MAX Blue Line to the city and connect with public transportation in Portland proper. The train to downtown takes about an hour and costs commuters $2.50 a ticket, or $25 for a book of ten.

There are dedicated bike lanes throughout the neighborhood, and bike-friendly options cover the cities of Hillsboro and Beaverton. Bike enthusiasts can saftey commute all the way to Portland or transport their bike on the MAX to cut down on travel time.

Sommerset West-Elmonica South is mostly residential, so walking around the neighborhood to run errands is not feasible. The neighborhood is safe and quiet, so walking is a peaceful recreational pastime for locals. If you're looking for an afternoon of urban adventure, both Beaverton and Hillsboro have walkable downtowns. Parking in either area is much easier than parking in popular Portland neighborhoods, so many locals get their urban fix in the suburbs.

Uber operates in Portland and is readily available in this neighborhood. Locals can also call a cab, but hailing a cab from this area is not possible.

For a family-friendly nature excursion, neighborhood locals head to Tualatin Hills Nature Park and Interpretive Center. This park provides several miles of paved trails, has several ADA accessible trails and hosts learning events throughout the year. Walkers, joggers and bikers use the trails for exercise and relaxation. Dogs are not allowed in this park because of the abundant wildlife and easily disturbed natural spaces.

If you have a furry friend in need of a play-space, the Hondo Dog Park in Hillsboro is the locals' choice. The park offers three areas: a big-dog spot, a little-dog enclosure and a winter area for those rainy days when the grass is too muddy to play on. The winter area also features an agility course for those talented pups who like that kind of thing.

The cost of living in Sommerset West-Elmonica South is about one percent lower than living in the rest of the state. The average rental rate for a one bedroom apartment is $974. Beer costs about $3.50 in a local pub, and gas prices are typically one percent higher than the national average.

Sommerset West-Elmonica South offers residents multiple grocery shopping outlets, from chain stores such as Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's to local grocers and farmers markets. One such local favorite, the New Seasons Market on 61st Avenue, offers less expensive organic produce, meat and seafood. Health-conscious locals choose this neighborhood place over Whole Foods for favorite health-food brands. New Seasons makes a concerted effort to stock local cheese, wine and produce.

Perhaps the most popular farmers market in the area, the Beaverton Farmers Market runs Saturdays from May to November and Wednesdays from June through August. It features Portland's famous food trucks, fresh produce stands, and local producers of meat and dairy products. This large farmers market also has a special section for local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Adults can sample beverages or buy a glass or two and sit outside in the beer garden. The market also features a doggie daycare in case you forget to leave your pup at home.

For area locals, the Nike Employee Store is a special trip to Nike heaven. However, it requires a guest pass to get in. The company store offers about 50 percent off everything inside, and unlike an outlet store, the items are the latest and greatest that Nike has to offer.

Nike isn't the end-all for sportswear in the area though; Aries Apparel in the nearby Tanasbourne neighborhood offers all-women sports gear with amazing customer service. From soccer to ballet, rock climbing to running, many locals turn to Aries for ladies sports gear.

For more local shopping options, The Streets of Tanasbourne is a small outdoor mall located near Sommerset West-Elmonica South. The mall offers mostly chain stores and name-brand shopping. Big players at this mall include Macy's and REI. The Streets of Tanasbourne houses the usual suspects of mall shopping: chain restaurants such as PF Changs and Qdoba, as well as popular stores such as H&M and Banana Republic. The mall offers an enjoyable shopping experience and is a closer option than the much larger Washington Square Mall, a shopping destination in Tigard.