09 May . 2025
Get your greens: 5 residents on how living outside the floor plan changed everything
Think about the last time you felt truly at ease. Was it indoors, surrounded by artificial light and screens? Or was it outside, amidst a sea of green with fresh air filling your lungs? There's a reason we instinctively seek out green spaces. That sense of calm isn't just a fleeting feeling; it's a fundamental human need. In our increasingly fast-paced world, these pockets of nature aren't just a luxury—they're a vital necessity for physical and mental well-being.
Myriad studies have confirmed that urban green space leads to improved health and happiness as well as a stronger sense of community. According to the EPA, outdoor spaces—like parks, greenways, and community gardens—promote physical activity, enhance the strength of social ties between neighbors, reduce mental fatigue and stress, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution. And, according to the USDA, green spaces also have several benefits for climate change, reducing carbon emissions, capturing storm water runoff by increasing water infiltration, and decreasing air temperatures.
Welcome to the second installment of our new blog series, which features real people who live here in South Hillsboro sharing their experiences and opinions on a variety of topics, from the builders to what they love most about living here. Without fail, the #1 reason people are attracted to Reed’s Crossing is the expansive green spaces, which make up nearly 20% of the community. But do they actually make a difference in people’s lives? Read on to find out.
“I've never lived in a neighborhood with green spaces that were planned on such a large scope. Everything is walking distance, and it's not walking on the side of busy roads, it's walking through green spaces, through nature reserves, and we can enjoy nature on our way there. Hauling a bunch of kids around in a car is a bit of a pain. Being able to walk somewhere, talk to the kids on the way, and point out little things on the Greenway, is much more fun.” — Brian, resident since 2021
“I talk to everyone I come in contact with about where I live, because it’s been the most amazing place I’ve lived in a really long time. There are so many paths, green spaces, and parks to go to that it’s made us more active and more social. One thing that stuck out to me was all the sidewalks that are here. It’s really safe to walk around [and] there are double sidewalks for bikers and walkers. There’s tons of walking paths through the parks and along the Greenway and they’re all paved, so it’s really easy to walk.” — Melissa, resident since 2021
“We really wanted to make sure we had the space to spread out that our dogs and our boys deserved, but we also wanted a feeling of community. Then we found Reed’s Crossing, and it just checked all of our boxes.” — Jessica, resident since 2021
“The green spaces, walking paths, and parks were definitely a huge reason we chose to build in Reeds Crossing. We love it here!” — Charlie, resident since 2020
“My favorite part about living at Reed’s Crossing is being able to step out my front door and be less than a minute away from green spaces where my wife, dog, and I can walk and see our neighbors along the way. Being able to have easy access to the outdoors rather than being in a business-park type place, where I lived before, makes it very exciting. It’s easy to get outside and go for a walk, go for a run, see familiar faces, and just be outdoors.” — Ian, resident since 2020
Looking for a new neighborhood with green space in Oregon? Take a virtual tour, come by for a visit, or sneak a peek at what’s in store for the future.