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Tualatin - about 15 miles southwest of Portland - encompasses a fairly large suburban area with plenty of housing developments. Described here is mostly the "town center" of Tualatin, something the city re-created in the 1980s and is still trying to improve.
Tualatin Town Center is just west of I-5 about two miles, via the very busy Tualatin-Sherwood Road. There are several suburban towns like this, where you can find strip malls and chain restaurants everywhere. Tualatin has all of this but it is a step above most of the others because of the Town Center.
First of all, Tualatin Town Center is built basically in a marsh area. The city took advantage of this and created a small "art walk" which consists mostly of little plaques but also consisting of walking/running/biking trails through it. There is a strip mall on one side of the marsh, a couple of apartment complexes to the west, and the trails run between them. If you wish to live in one of these dwellings, you could enjoy the regular walk and the opportunity to see dragonflies, ducks, herons, nutria, even the occasional snake(!). It's just a step above what you might find elsewhere in the 'burbs.
Beyond the Applebees, Outback Steakhouse, and Carl's Jr. chains you find in the area, there are also some nicer restaurants in a little area called Tualatin Commons, which is a circular development of condominiums, offices, and restaurants around a little man-made pond and a fountain. There are even concerts there in the summer months.
The very trendy upscale, outdoor mall Bridgeport Village is only 2-3 miles away (without getting on I-5): a nice perk if you love to shop.
You might consider Tualatin Town Center only if you really hate urban neighborhoods (and like the 'burbs) and/or you will work somewhere nearby. The commute into Portland would not be fun at rush hour, but to drive in a few times a month in the evenings is probably a 25 minute drive assuming no traffic (double that if there's a backup in the Terwilliger Curves on I-5 south of downtown). The good news for commuters who like trains is that TriMet's Westside Express Service (WES) opened in early 2009, providing a fast train at rush hours up to Beaverton Transit Center, where you can catch a bus or MAX train elsewhere if need be. Otherwise, bus service near Tualatin Town Center is limited - see TriMet's website for more information. You'd almost certainly want a car living anywhere in Tualatin although there are bike trails where you can ride through the area.
Links: | City of Tualatin Website
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Tualatin Town Center, Art Walk
Tualatin Town Center, Art Walk
Tualatin Town Center, Art Walk
Tualatin
Tualatin Town Center, Art Walk
Tualatin Town Center, Art Walk
Tualatin Town Center, Stores
Tualatin Commons
Tualatin Commons
Tualatin Commons
Tualatin Commons
Tualatin-Sherwood Road
Tualatin-Sherwood Road
Pictures are all copyrighted by Andrew Hall and may not be used or copied without permission.
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