Living in Uplands: 9 Highlights of Lake Oswego's Uplands Neighborhood

Imagine the ideal community: quiet, spacious lots in a rural setting with easy access to city amenities. This is Uplands, a Lake Oswego neighborhood that evokes a sense of community and sanctuary amongst old tree groves and local parks.

Sitting in the heart of north Lake Oswego, Uplands is known for its abundance of deciduous and evergreen trees that create a heavily wooded setting. Uplands is one of Lake Oswego’s oldest neighborhoods, with historic, private amenities like a championship golf course, a members-only lake, and an equestrian center. Lake Oswego’s excellent restaurants, bars, and shopping options are only a few minutes from Uplands, making it a convenient location to enjoy the city’s many amenities. Here’s what to know about living in Uplands.

The Neighborhood Lifestyle: What Makes Uplands So Luxurious?

Early Lake Oswego was an iron ore mining town hoping to be the “Pittsburgh of the West.” Developers of old Lake Oswego saw its potential as an upscale residential community. A country club, golf course, equestrian center, and polo field were built in the 1920s, and neighborhoods, including Uplands, were developed around these luxury amenities with strict guidelines to preserve natural beauty and keep the area residential.

Uplands was intentionally designed to protect a rural, open feel. Streets are narrow and meander amongst homes with more curves than straight lines. Homes are set back from the road on large lots (most between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet), leaving many open spaces and landscaping areas. Lots sit above or below their neighbors and have an abundance of deciduous and evergreen trees and lush yards, giving Uplands a forested, hill-town feel.

Homes in Uplands were built primarily between 1940 and 1950, with most properties constructed before 1980. An eclectic mix of architectural styles exists here: mostly  three- to four-bedroom mid-century ranches, craftsman, English cottage, and bungalow styles. Most new construction homes are built in a northwest-modern style, and luxury properties often contain multiple guest suites, wine cellars, and media rooms.

Residents live in single-family houses; although additional dwelling units are permitted, there are very few. Homes for sale in Uplands typically range in price from the mid-$500s to over $6.5 million.

Part of what makes Uplands unique is its location in Lake Oswego, sitting in the heart of the city at the intersection of two major thoroughfares, allowing easy access to local shopping and services. Uplands’ natural boundaries include Iron Mountain Park and Springbrook Park, all connected by quiet neighborhood streets.

Employers Near Uplands

Lake Oswego is desirable because of its proximity to nearby Portland and the “Silicon Forest,” whose high-tech manufacturing jobs provide stable, sustainable jobs for the region. Uplands is a 10-minute drive to I-5, making it simple to commute to employers nearby. Some 300 high-tech companies exist in the area, including Intel and Tektronix, and Nike’s global headquarters is 11 miles from the Uplands neighborhood in Beaverton.

In this eco-friendly region, it’s no surprise that more than six percent of all Portland commuters get to work by bike. Towns like Lake Oswego make it a priority to help their suburban residents commute by bike or public transportation in Portland via the region’s MAX light rail system and TriMet buses at Upland’s neighborhood park-and-ride. 

Uplands Amenities

While Uplands is primarily a residential community, it is by no means isolated from essential services.

Uplands Neighborhood Services

Uplands has three TriMet bus lines operating throughout the week, connecting residents to downtown Lake Oswego, downtown Portland, and other regional transportation hubs. The area has multiple healthcare options, including Providence Hospital in the neighboring town of Milwaukie and several urgent care clinics around Lake Oswego.

Lake Oswego is an active community with fitness options nearby. Orangetheory, The Bar Method, and Twist Yoga are in Uplands’ west side, while IM=X Pilates and StretchLab are nearby in downtown Lake Oswego. 

Uplands is home to various activities, including tennis, championship-level golf, and an equestrian riding academy. The Lake Oswego Tennis Center is a public four-court indoor facility at the western edge of Uplands’ Springbrook Park, operated by the City of Lake Oswego. Tennis lessons and competitive and social events are available year-round. Those looking for an exceptional golf experience will enjoy the private Oswego Lake Country Club, established in 1925, featuring a challenging par 71, 18-hole championship course. Lake Oswego Hunt is a historic equestrian landmark built in 1936 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The facility offers private horse boarding, riding lessons, horse shows, and horsemanship training.

Shopping Near Uplands

While Uplands might feel rural and secluded, amenities and services are just a few minutes away. Grocers, including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and New Seasons Market, are all within a 10-minute drive of the neighborhood. 

Uplands’ closest multi-purpose shopping center is the Oswego Towne Square in the nearby Mountain Park neighborhood, just two miles away. This shopping center is home to Columbia Sportswear, grocer New Seasons Market, Mud Bay pet supplies, and various restaurants. It also houses offices for dental care, urgent care, pilates, a veterinary clinic, and other essential services.

Nearby Lake View Village in the heart of downtown Lake Oswego is just a two-mile drive along Country Club Road. This brick-paved mix of independent boutiques, local restaurants, and national retailers also has convenient access to medical offices and other professional services. 

A 10-minute drive from Uplands to the neighboring Tigard community connects shoppers to the high-end outdoor mall Bridgeport Village. National retailers Anthropologie and lululemon align with more than a dozen restaurants and coffee shops, an 18-screen IMAX movie theater, beauty retailers, spa services, and professional and medical offices. 

Neighborhood Property Owners Association and Lake Access

The Uplands Neighborhood Association is active in the community. Its current focus is working with the City of Lake Oswego to improve roads, provide safer pedestrian and bicycling options, and water run-off solutions. It also partners with non-profits like the Friends of Springbrook Park to eliminate invasive plants from the park.

If you want to enjoy the lake lifestyle, a benefit of owning a home in Uplands is the possibility of lake access privileges for Oswego Lake. Approximately 3,000 homes have deeded lake access and are part of one of 20 lakefront easements for boating and recreational use of Oswego Lake. These easements are like members-only clubs with limited spots and waitlists to use the lake.

While Lake Oswego’s weather can be rainy much of the year, its warm summers make it the perfect time to be out on the water. Options for swim-only, boat memberships, and moorage slips for paddle boards, canoes, and power boats exist.

Things to Do in Uplands

From outdoor activities to nearby attractions, several Uplands amenities are available in the area.

Outdoor Activities

Two parks in Uplands, Iron Mountain Park and Springbrook Park, connect to form a two-mile loop for easy hikes and trail runs. Iron Mountain Park’s trails form part of the Oswego Iron Heritage Trail, a tour route that guides walkers to seven sites associated with Oregon’s pioneer iron industry. Springbrook Park is 52 acres of soft surface trails and wildlife viewing. Also nearby is Tryon Creek State Natural Area, a preserve with more than 600 acres of open space and trails for hiking and biking. 

Lake Grove Swim Park is the place to be during summer. All you need is proof of Lake Oswego residency to cool off in this lifeguard-supervised swim park featuring diving platforms, water sprayers, inner tubes, outdoor showers, and lounge chairs.

Restaurants, Breweries & Bars

While Uplands itself only contains residences, a few small businesses make this neighborhood their home. One is the award-winning Monte Ferro Winery with a reservation-only tasting room. 

Nearby on Boones Ferry Road, residents will find dine-in and take-out options. Oven and Shaker Bar and Pizzeria, run by a six-time James Beard-nominated chef, will surprise and delight with equally delicious pizza and cocktails. Jefe’s upscale restaurant setting belies its Mexican comfort-food menu and craft cocktails. Tucci features Italian-meets-northwest cuisine in a contemporary setting with an outdoor patio for warm summer nights. 

Nearby Attractions

The beauty of Uplands and Lake Oswego is their proximity to variety. The famed Willamette Valley wine region and its award-winning Pinot Noirs are a 20-minute drive from the community. 

Portland is close enough to visit for the day, with lots to offer. The Oregon Zoo, the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi, is ideal for spending a few hours enjoying the polar bear exhibit or seeing any of its 2,600 animals. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry features a planetarium, a giant-screen theater, and interactive labs to conduct experiments. Flower lovers (or anyone visiting the Rose City) should visit Oregon’s oldest public rose garden, Peninsula Park & Rose Garden, to take in the 5,000 different rose plants. Oaks Amusement Park is a quaint spot for carnival thrills and classic park rides like a Ferris wheel and bumper cars. Its historic roller rink is the largest on the West Coast and the last remaining skating rink in the country to feature live music from a massive Wurlitzer pipe organ in the ceiling.

Looking for more adventure? You could have your toes in the sand of the Pacific Ocean or ski Mt. Hood in under two hours. A few more hours from home is Oregon’s only National Park, Crater Lake—the deepest lake in the US—or exploring lava tube caves in the state’s high desert.

Schools in Uplands

Two public school facilities, Lake Oswego Junior High and Uplands Elementary (currently closed but still used for school district programs), are within the Uplands community. Other nearby schools include Forest Hills Elementary, Lake Grove Elementary School, and Lake Oswego High School. One private school, International Leadership Academy, is in Hope Church.

As part of the Lake Oswego School District, Uplands students have access to the Elementary Orchestra and Strings program, Lake Grove Swim Park, and the Lake Oswego Art Literacy program. Its Community School program offers classes and sports to youth and adults, including tutoring, chess, STEM activities, and sports.

Ready to Discover Your Home in Uplands?

With all Uplands offers, there is no doubt why it is such a desirable neighborhood. It embraces its eclectic mix of architecture and preserves its open spaces, creating a community full of green, heavily wooded lots. Uplands’ miles of parks and trails mean maintaining an active lifestyle can happen in your backyard. Its schools and community programs enhance lifelong learning. These best-in-class features, combined with Lake Oswego’s conveniences, make Uplands an ideal spot to settle down.