Choosing between Cedar Mill and Bethany in 97229 can feel like splitting hairs. They sit side by side, share parks and school districts, and many addresses even say “Portland” while actually being in Washington County. If you’re trying to match a home and neighborhood to your routines, you want clear, practical differences. In this guide, you’ll compare schools, parks, commute, housing styles, and 2026 pricing so you can decide with confidence. Let’s dive in.
97229 at a glance
Cedar Mill and Bethany are neighboring unincorporated communities on Portland’s Westside. The postal city line often lists “Portland,” which can lead to confusion about city services and governance. For a quick primer on how that works locally, see this overview from Cedar Mill News.
Cedar Mill is the older, established area centered along NW Cornell Road with Sunset High School as a local anchor. Bethany developed later with more master-planned neighborhoods and the village-style retail core at Bethany Village. For general context on Cedar Mill’s location and connectors, review the Cedar Mill overview.
Schools: how assignments work
Most of Cedar Mill and Bethany fall within the Beaverton School District (BSD). Attendance boundaries vary by address, and feeder patterns can change over time. To see the current elementary-to-middle-to-high school pathway for any home, use the BSD tool and verify by address at the district’s feeder and boundary page.
Typical patterns include:
- Cedar Mill: Cedar Mill Elementary or Terra Linda Elementary often feed to Tumwater Middle and then Sunset High School. Sunset is a long-standing comprehensive high school that offers an International Baccalaureate program. Learn more at the Sunset High School site.
- Bethany: Feeder patterns are more variable. Some neighborhoods feed to Bethany Elementary, Five Oaks Middle, and Westview High. Others may attend Jacob Wismer or Springville (K–8), then Stoller Middle, and later Sunset or Westview depending on exact location. Always confirm your address.
BSD has invested in facilities through voter-approved bonds in recent years, which means some schools in both areas have seen upgrades. You can browse current and completed work via the BSD bond program pages.
What this means for your search: If school pathways are a priority, check every address you consider. Two homes a few blocks apart can feed into different middle or high schools.
Parks, trails, and everyday recreation
Both Cedar Mill and Bethany are served by Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD). THPRD maintains an extensive system of parks, trails, natural areas, and recreation centers. Use the THPRD park finder to see current amenities and maps.
Highlights in Cedar Mill:
- Cedar Mill Park was redeveloped with new amenities, including play areas and sport courts. See THPRD’s update on the park’s reopening and improvements.
- Jackie Husen Park and the Jordan Woods Natural Area offer nearby green space with short trails and creek-side scenery.
Highlights in Bethany:
- Bethany Lake Park provides trails and water views, plus opportunities for low-key outdoor time.
- Bethany Creek Park, Bannister Creek Greenway, and Kaiser Woods Park add playgrounds, natural areas, and neighborhood paths.
- Bethany Village includes plazas and a water feature that create a casual community gathering spot.
Swim and recreation: THPRD operates multiple facilities that serve both areas, including swim centers. Check programs and hours on the THPRD aquatics page.
What this means for your search: If daily walks and playgrounds are part of your routine, you’ll find strong options in either area. Cedar Mill leans toward established parks and natural areas tucked into mature neighborhoods. Bethany layers newer pocket parks and greenways into planned subdivisions and the village core.
Commute, transit, and local access
Primary driving routes: US-26 (Sunset Highway) and NW Cornell Road are the main east–west connectors from both neighborhoods toward Beaverton and downtown Portland. In Bethany, Bethany Boulevard and 170th/174th Avenue function as key north–south routes. For context on Cedar Mill’s roadway connections, see the Cedar Mill overview.
Transit: TriMet bus routes serve both communities, including service along the Cornell corridor and lines connecting Bethany to transit hubs such as the Beaverton Transit Center and MAX stations. Routes and schedules can change. For address-level walk, transit, and bike scores, use a tool like Walk Score’s 97229 example to test specific locations.
Commute to Westside employers: Both Cedar Mill and Bethany offer proximity to Nike, Intel, and other Westside job centers, which is a key reason many shoppers focus on 97229. For an overview of the area’s orientation to those employers, see this Westside neighborhood context.
What this means for your search: Expect similar drive patterns off the Westside via Cornell and US-26, with typical rush-hour congestion. If rail access matters, plan on a feeder bus or park-and-ride. Always test your preferred route at your actual commute time.
Housing styles and 2026 pricing
Housing character:
- Cedar Mill: Primarily established single-family homes. You’ll see mid-century and ranch styles, mature trees, and larger lots in many pockets. There is some infill and smaller new-home clusters, but the overall feel is “suburban established.”
- Bethany: Heavier mix of master-planned subdivisions with newer single-family homes plus townhomes and condos, especially near Bethany Village. Streets and lots tend to be more compact, and many neighborhoods include sidewalks and small pocket parks.
Market snapshot (January 2026, Redfin):
- Cedar Mill median sale price: about $667,402. See the current snapshot on Redfin’s Cedar Mill page.
- Bethany median sale price: about $726,000. See the current snapshot on Redfin’s Bethany page.
Recent trends point to fewer closed sales and somewhat longer days on market compared with the 2020 to 2022 peaks. For pricing on a specific home, request a current CMA based on active, pending, and recently sold listings.
Lifestyle fit: quick guide
Use these cues to match each area to your day-to-day needs:
Cedar Mill may fit if you want:
- An established neighborhood feel with mature tree canopy.
- Mostly single-family homes and larger lots in many pockets.
- A strong local identity centered along Cornell Road and near Sunset High School.
- Quick access to parks and natural areas woven into older streets.
Bethany may fit if you want:
- Newer construction across many subdivisions from the 1990s onward.
- A village-style core with everyday shopping and casual dining.
- A broader mix of home types, including townhomes and condos.
- Sidewalks, pocket parks, and neighborhood greenways built into the plan.
How to choose with confidence
- Verify schools by address. Use the BSD feeder tool before you fall in love with a home. Boundaries can shift with enrollment changes.
- Walk the parks you will use most. Compare Cedar Mill Park and nearby natural areas to Bethany Lake Park and your closest greenways.
- Test your commute both ways. Try your route at rush hour and compare drive plus bus-to-MAX options.
- Match home type and upkeep to your lifestyle. Cedar Mill’s older homes can offer space and character. Bethany’s newer builds and townhomes can mean different maintenance patterns.
When you combine the address-level school path, commute test, and on-foot park visits, the right fit usually becomes clear.
Ready to narrow your search?
If you are weighing two great Westside options, a local, team-based plan helps. ELEETE Real Estate pairs each client with at least two senior brokers supported by an in-house operations and marketing team. You get practical guidance on neighborhoods, a data-backed pricing strategy, and thoughtful conveniences like staging coordination and moving-truck access. Let’s create a short list that aligns with your timeline, budget, and day-to-day life. Request a strategic consultation with Lee Davies - Main Site.
FAQs
How do school boundaries work in Cedar Mill and Bethany?
- Both areas are served primarily by Beaverton School District, and feeder patterns vary by exact address. Check the BSD boundary and feeder tool for up-to-date assignments.
What are the 2026 home price medians in 97229’s Cedar Mill and Bethany?
- As of January 2026, Redfin shows a median sale price of about $667,402 in Cedar Mill and about $726,000 in Bethany. See current snapshots for Cedar Mill and Bethany.
Who maintains the parks and trails in Cedar Mill and Bethany?
- Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) serves both areas, operating parks, trails, natural areas, and recreation facilities. Explore amenities with the THPRD park finder.
What is the commute like from Cedar Mill and Bethany to Westside employers?
- Both areas have direct access to US-26 and NW Cornell Road and sit close to Westside job centers such as Nike and Intel. Traffic varies by time of day, so test your route during your actual commute window.
Are Cedar Mill or Bethany walkable or transit-friendly?
- Overall, both areas are more car-dependent, with transit available via TriMet bus routes and feeder access to MAX. Bethany’s village core concentrates some shopping and dining, while address-level walk, transit, and bike scores vary. Check a specific location using tools like Walk Score’s 97229 example.
