Center of Community - Lake Life Edition

I've been thinking lately about the communities that I gravitate towards and what draws me to them. One thing I noticed in particular is that I form community around water.

Growing up in Lake Oswego, the Lake wasn't just where we spent summer afternoons, it was where friendships naturally happened. Neighbors became lifelong friends, families gathered on docks, and weekends had a rhythm that seemed to revolve around being outside together. You spoke about what side of the Lake you lived on but really deep down the entire community of Lake Oswego is one. 

As I work with clients and think about what creates a sense of community, I often find myself reflecting on the places that naturally bring people together. This summer, those conversations have centered around communities with a shared gathering place.

Friends from Eugene tell stories about weekends at Triangle Lake, where families return to the same cabins year after year. Kids grow up together, traditions are passed down, and neighbors slowly become extended family.

I've heard the same kind of stories about Roslyn and mountain towns like Mt. Hood. While each place is different, the feeling is remarkably similar. It's less about the destination itself and more about the connections that are built there over time.

For my family, that place is Fishhawk Lake.

A cabin tucked between Portland and the Oregon Coastal Range. Off of logging roads, lined with flower stands and a mixture of farms either lined with Christmas trees or cute cows. Fishhawk lake is a small community with a no wake lake surrounded with sounds of pickleball, fishing, community events and a peace that is felt as soon as you pull off the main road. 

It became a personal retreat for many during the pandemic. Me included. Fishhawk is a place that feels a little quieter and is as connected as you want to make it. For me, that means kayaking on the lake, hanging outside with a day bonfire (when permitted), hiking the beautiful trails and watching the community connection with people playing pickleball all visible from our cabin deck. 

The Lake is the center area of meeting and saying hello safely. Quite literally the center of the community. I think it simply gives people a reason to be together. Lake Life at Fishhawk is a bit different. As no motor boats, only electric at low speed, the shallow depths, improved dam and community water system, Fishhawk has a special group of people who care to keep it healthy. I have enjoyed being able to visit. 

As a real estate broker, I spend a lot of time talking about neighborhoods. Discussing schools, commute times, parks, restaurants, and home styles because those things matter.

But what people are searching for usually isn't listed on a property brochure. 

They're looking for a place where they'll know their neighbors. Where kids ride bikes together. Where Friday evenings turn into impromptu dinners. Where community happens naturally. 

That's one of my favorite parts of this business.

Helping people find the right house is important, but helping them discover the right community is even more meaningful. 

Sometimes that means introducing someone to West Seattle because they'll love walking to local coffee shops and neighborhood events living off California Ave. Sometimes it means connecting a family with a small lake community they've never heard of. Sometimes it means referring them to an incredible agent in another state because the perfect place for their next chapter in the Pacific Northwest.

Real estate has introduced me to some incredible people, and over the years I've built a network of agents, lenders, contractors, designers, and community champions that I'm proud to share.

Because I don't just love houses.

I love connecting people.

If you're wondering where your next chapter might take you, whether that's across town but with a new view, across the country, or somewhere with a dock, a trail for biking… I'd love to help you find more than just a home.

Let me help you find a community you love. And if you think it could be Fishhawk Lake I know a few great properties for sale currently and I am always happy to make an introduction.