NorthWest Crossing: Top Neighborhood in Bend Featured This Week

NorthWest Crossing is a neighborhood unlike any other in Bend. Charming, tree-lined streets and welcoming front porches are reminiscent of older neighborhoods. It is thoughtfully designed to provide residents with neighborhood conveniences like restaurants, shops, parks, schools and more.

Known as NWX among locals, the neighborhood was originally an old tree farm with 500 acres of ponderosa pines. This land belonged to a timber company, which once owned five mills in Bend. After its last mill closed in 1994, the company began looking into real estate opportunities, just as Bend’s population was beginning to boom.

NorthWest Crossing: A Little History About Ponderosa Pines

The company’s ponderosa tree farm was only 1.5 miles from downtown Bend, and the land was nearly flat. In essence, it was the perfect place for a new neighborhood. This opportunity became a reality in 1999, when two developers partnered to build a community in NorthWest Crossing.

Their master plan revolved around sustainability and preservation. In particular, they wanted to keep the gorgeous ponderosa pines on the property, and would even redesign a home to save a tree.

Experience the Difference

What makes Northwest Crossing different than other communities in Bend is that it was designed following the concepts of “new urbanism”, meaning that people who purchase homes here will find that Northwest Crossing is very pedestrian friendly and they will be able to access stores, schools or businesses within a short walking distance.

In other words, you don’t need to leave the community to do your errands. You can walk your kids to school, get fresh vegetables at the NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market, and pick up a baguette at the local bakery without getting into your car. The sidewalks are wide and lined with attractive landscaping and park benches, so you feel invited to go out walking or cycling.

Even traffic has been organized to accommodate pedestrians. Instead of a large road with a traffic light, the neighborhood has a roundabout, which cuts down on pollution and slows cars down. This means less noise, fresher air and more safety for pedestrians. This roundabout was the first in Bend and has since become a model for other roundabouts in the city.

Nature and Green Spaces

A sustainable community wouldn’t be complete without plenty of green spaces for relaxation and connection with nature. Located on the edge of the Willamette National Forest, NorthWest Crossing is connected to the West Bend Trail System and has convenient access to wilderness areas, as well as community-centered parks.

With a range of public parks and an extensive trail system, one of the greatest benefits of living in NorthWest Crossing is its proximity to central Oregon’s many outdoor recreational areas.

Residents can bicycle or walk into downtown Bend and along the Deschutes River, on trails and dedicated lanes; or they can head west into the still-wild public fringe of the city. NorthWest Crossing is just five minutes away from Shevlin Park, a 500-acre, city-managed forest with old-growth pines along clear Tumalo Creek.

Eco-Friendly Homes

Each home in NorthWest Crossing has been built according to the high standards set by Earth Advantage, a home building program that focuses on issues like recycling, landscaping, water, energy efficiency, building materials and indoor air quality.

NorthWest Crossing’s dedication to traditional neighborhood design is also strongly linked to principles of green building. Every home in the neighborhood is required to be Earth Advantage Certified. Two retail buildings in the commercial district were among the first in the state to receive the LEED-CS Silver designation. 

This means your home will have environmental concerns at its foundation. It will be energy efficient through details like duct sealing, tree shading and high-efficiency windows, lighting and appliances. You’ll also know that it was built efficiently, including proper disposal of building supplies. These eco-friendly principles won’t only apply to your home—your neighbors will have homes that were sustainably built, too.

NorthWest Crossing is a vibrant neighborhood you’d want to live in, especially since it has so many beautiful homes to choose from.

Here are some of the homes for sale in NorthWest Crossing for you to view:

Thinking about moving or purchasing your dream home in NorthWest Crossing? Please reach out to us at 541-306-3139. Let’s make your dream a reality!