Lake Oswego is a lush, posh city built around its eponymous lake and serves as an upscale, suburban alternative to nearby Portland. Though only eight miles away from Portland — or about a 15- to 20-minute drive — Lake Oswego is a well-defined town in its own right, with a bustling, walkable downtown and 27 residential neighborhoods. The city is dense with trees and greenery, with more than 460 acres of parks and five forested trails for walking and running that loop around the city, totaling almost 24 miles. Interestingly, Oswego Lake is not a public lake and access to its waters is restricted to waterfront property owners and residents who belong to a lake easement, which are available in several lake-adjacent neighborhoods. There is, however, a swim park on the lake that is open during the summer to all Lake Oswego residents, complete with diving platforms and certified lifeguards.