Lake Oswego Real Estate Blog
All about Living in Lake Oswego, Oregon
Yes, the winter chill is on, and we are moving into Harvest Mode! Please mark your calendar for Sat, Nov 17th (this week) 10AM-3PM for the 7th Annual Reunion Farmers Market in Lake Oswego at Millennium Plaza Park ~ Get all the details, see the vendor list, and start making plans to be there! CLICK HERE
This is because the Lake Oswego Fire Department has achieved something that only 3% of Fire Departments in the entire country have achieved, a class 2 PPC (Public Protection Classification) rating. This is a huge accomplishment.
What does this mean to residents of Lake Oswego? First of all, we can all sleep a little better at night knowing we are protected by one of the best Fire Departments in the United States. Secondly, we may all see a reduction on our home owner’s insurance. Yes, that’s right, savings. Nice!
Thank you Lake Oswego Fire Department. Thank you!
Dianne
One of the things that Linda and I try to do with this blog is give helpful information about Lake Oswego. It occurred to me that one of the kinda significant things that may be important as you consider where to live, is how easy or difficult it is to shop in the area. So here is my run down of what it is like when you live in Lake Oswego.
I am going to divide the lake into two sides, the East side that is along the Willamette River and the West side that is near I-5.
On the East side there are two large grocery stores. Safeway on A Avenue and Whole Foods Market 365. For shopping for clothing and household goods there is Millenium Plaza which contains numerous boutiques and restaurants. The Lake Theater is on the East side for first-run movies and the Farmer’s Market is on the East side at Millinium Plaza Park on Saturdays May to October. If you need to make a larger purchase, say for a ladder or new furniture, you are going to drive to the West side of LO and the outskirts of town in the communities of Tigard and Tualatin.
There is significantly more shopping on the West side. There are 4 grocery stores, Safeway, Zupans, New Seasons and Trader Joes. Just outside of the city limits in the communities of Tigard and Tualatin are Costce, Winco, Office Depot, Home Depot and Bridgeport Village. Bridgeport Village was recently named by the Oregonian as Oregon’s best shopping center. It’s what’s called a “lifestyle mall”. The idea is that you park your car and then stroll through a village of shops and restaurants. Most of the stores are National chains such as Tommy Bahama, Sephora, and Soft Surroundings.
Prior to living in Lake Oswego I lived in the Sellwood area of Southeast Portland. Shopping was not easy from that location. It required about a 15 minute drive to get to a decent size grocery store. After living with inconvenience, I just really appreciate how easy it is from Lake Oswego.
I hope you found this helpful. As always, thanks for reading!
Dianne
This week (as most weeks) there are tons of activities to choose from in Lake Oswego. Fall is here and there are plenty of indoor choices.
Here are my picks for things happening this week!
Mon, Oct 15 2018– 9:30-11AM – Learning and Technology Group ~ -Every Monday this informal but comprehensive program welcomes walk-ins and addresses a wide array of technology issues. Recent topics have included Turbo Taax, Online Investing and more!~ Adult Community Center – Info: CLICK HERE
Tue, Oct 16, 2018 – Third Tuesday Author 7-8PM – Don’t miss Colonel William E. Campbell who will be discussing his book “The Vietnam War: An Untold Story of Drugs”. Colonel Campbell returned from Vietnam in 1972 after serving as Battalion Commander of the 90th Replacement Battalion. He witnessed first-hand the drug problems that affected the troops, and the Army’s attempt to detoxify those who had become addicted. ~ Lake Oswego Public Library Info: CLICK HERE
Wed, Oct 17, 2018 – 1:30-3:30PM – Alzheimer’s Support Group – The Caregivers group is designed for family members and friends caring for older adults with memory problems related to Alzheimer’s. Everybody could use a little help, plus tips and information for caregivers. Co-Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association every third-Wednesday ~ Adult Community Center –Info: CLICK HERE
Thu, Oct 18, 2018 4:00-5:30PM – All Things Yarn! ~ Have you always wanted to learn how to knit? Are you an experienced knitter who likes to hang out with friends while knitting? Either way, this is the place to be every third-Thursday for you! Yarn & snacks provided. ~ Lake Oswego Public Library: CLICK HERE
Fri, Oct 19, 2018 10:30-11AM (every Friday )- Baby Storytime– Bubbles, songs, laptime activities, and of course books, for you and your baby! – Lake Oswego Public Library Info: CLICK HERE
Did you know that you can get a passport here in LO at City Hall? Talk about convenient! The city has put out this announcement:
Planning a vacation abroad? The City, a designated official Passport Acceptance Facility, has expanded its passport hours – making it easier to get a passport! Passport services are now available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed Wednesdays), at City Hall, 380 A Avenue – 1st floor. Forms and other important information can be found online at www.lakeoswego.city/finance/passport-service-city-hall.
It can take up to six weeks to process a passport application, so it is important to start the process early.
Contact the Finance Department at 503-635-0260, for more information.
One more great thing about this town!
This week (as most weeks) there are tons of activities to choose from in Lake Oswego, and/but everyone is gearing up for Tuesday’s Neighborhood Parties for National Night Out!
Here are my picks for things happening this week! (I stayed away from meetings and focused on mostly family fun : )
Mon, Aug 6 2018– 2-3PM – Be a Rock Star ~ School of Rock! -Explore Drums, Bass, Guitar and more! (3 Days, Mon-Wed, Ages K-5) Lake Oswego Library CLICK HERE
Tue, Aug 7, 2018 – National Night Out Neighborhood Parties!!! 5-9PM – Enjoy this annual event celebrated in style all over Lake Oswego! Meet your neighbors & just have a good time. – Check out all the neighborhood party details here: CLICK HERE
Wed, Aug 8, 2018 6:30-8:30PM – Sounds of Summer ~ Westlake Park Concert ***Featuring: Ants in the Kitchen & LaRhonda Steele – CLICK HERE
Thu, Aug 9, 2018 – 8:30PM – Movies in the Park at Millenium Park Plaza – Bring the kids down for Coco ! Info: CLICK HERE Trailer HERE
Fri, Aug 10, 2018 1-3PM (every Friday )- Pinochle– Adult Community Center CLICK HERE
Lake Oswego, for the first time, will have two full-on fireworks displays.
Traditionally the Lake Corporation has hosted the big event. It’s done from a barge in the middle of the lake and it’s pretty special. There’s a guy with a trumpet who plays the National Anthem right before it begins and the sound of that music drifting over the water gives me goose bumps every year. It’s a great show that begins at around 10pm and lasts a good 20-30 minutes.
There has been concern in the past that even though this is a great event, viewing it isn’t so easy if you don’t live on the lake or have an easement on the lake. Because of this the City of Lake Oswego has stepped up and they too are hosting a fireworks display. This display will be set off from the beach at George Roger’s Park. The intent is that viewing will be easy from the park’s upper ball field and also from Millennium Plaza Park. This event is projected to last about 20 minutes.
I’m thinking I want to find a spot between the two and have fireworks in stereo!
Which ever show you choose to go to, enjoy!
Dianne
Well, Summertime is upon us & there are loads of activities to choose from in Lake Oswego! Here are my picks for things happening this week! (I stayed away from meetings and focused on mostly family fun : )
Mon, June 11th 2018– 9:15am – LO Walkers! -Explore Tryon Creek, Foothills, Willamette Park & more! (Mon/Wed/Sat) CLICK HERE
Tue, June 12th, 2018 – 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Thor Spyros who studied photography with Ansel Adams will share stories from his lifetime with “My Life, My Adventure” – Lake Oswego Library CLICK HERE
Wed, June 13th, 2018 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Performing Arts/Ronnie Robbins – Brooklyn-born guitarist and singer-songwriter Ronnie Robins will present a concert of Bossa Nova, Samba and MPB, as well as some of his original songs at the Lake Oswego Library! CLICK HERE
Thu, June 14th, 2018 – 9:30am – 12:30pm – Creative Hands – Join this group of volunteers who handcraft projects with donated materials which are made into useful items and then donated to various non-profit associations- Contact the ACC at 503-635-3758 for more information. CLICK HERE
Fri, June 15th, 2018 10:30am – 11:00am (every Friday/Birth-12 months ; )- Baby Storytime– Lake Oswego Library CLICK HERE
I think it’s rather impressive that a town the size of LO, not a very big town with just shy of 39,000 people, has 4 dog parks. All 4 of them have off leash areas.
Hazalia Field (17800 Stafford Rd) is the most impressive of the off-leash dog parks. It has two separate fenced in areas, one for normal dogs and one for shy or timid dogs. Seriously, do you know of any other town that has an off-leash dog park for shy dogs? The fenced in areas are impressive with double-gated entries to allow you to enter the park with your dog leashed and then take the leash off before you open the second gate to let them charge out to play. This park is open all year round.
A well-exercised dog is a well-behaved dog. With this beautiful spring weather get out there and let Fido loose. He needs a good romp just like the rest of us.
Dianne
Happy Mothers Day!!!
If you’re looking for a home in Lake Oswego consider one with an easement to the lake. Lake Oswego has many to offer, check them out HERE.
