LIVING ROOM E s LOCAL
April
Lilac Days
April 18th–May 10th
Each year in the spring, the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland, WA hosts Lilac Days to celebrate the beauty of lilacs in bloom. This event marks a longstanding tradition that draws visitors from near and far to experience the breathtaking beauty of lilac blooms at their peak.
May
Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 1st–5th
Portland’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is the largest multicultural festival in the state of Oregon, packed with festivities and culturally immersive programming. During the event, festival-goers can experience the spirit of Mexico through music, arts, dance, and sport.
Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market 2026
May 1st–2nd
Everyone’s favorite spring art and craft market! 200+ artists selling their goods at the Oregon Convention Center!
McMenamins UFO Festival
May 15th–16th
Second in popularity only to the UFO festival in Roswell, New Mexico, Oregon’s family-friendly annual celebration in McMinnville celebrates 26 years and features days full of parades, costume contests, expert speakers, and family fun.
Clue: Live in Concert
May 21st
Since its cult-classic debut in 1985, Clue has captivated audiences with its razor- sharp wit, eccentric characters, and endlessly quotable lines. Now the iconic murder-mystery comedy comes to life in Clue: Live in Concert, featuring the Oregon Symphony performing John Morris’ score in perfect sync with the film.
June
Vancouver’s Pride Block Party
June 13th
Stop by the annual Vancouver Pride Block Party— a free, family-focused event with 4,000+ attendees and 60+ vendor booths in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown.
Oregon Renaissance Faire
June 6th–28th
From jaw-dropping entertainment, robust cosplay, to the finest purveyors of food, beverages and crafts, the Oregon Renaissance Faire hosts endless routes to adventure and jubilation for every fairegoer.
PHOTO BY
Spring forward…after a nap.
IF YOU’VE MADE IT TO SPRING and still haven’t started that diet, home project, job search, or life overhaul you promised yourself in January, I want to ofer another perspective. What if you’re not behind at all? What if you’re simply moving in rhythm with the season?
When the New Year arrived, I took three weeks of and headed to the North Cascades, fully expecting to ski in the mornings and work in the afternoons. I had writing projects, planning sessions, and big ideas waiting.
But once the days slowed, I realized my body and mind weren’t interested in productivity. What I needed was rest. So I adjusted. I skied slowly, very slowly. My Apple Watch clocked my skate ski pace at under four miles per hour. Slower than a courting woodcock, a broken golf cart, or Friday rush hour trafc. I also watched movies, cooked good food, and let go of the pressure to produce. Most days, my only accomplishment was getting outside for an hour or two, and that felt like enough.
Because here’s the thing: everything in nature slows down in winter. Trees stop blooming. Animals hibernate. The sun gives us just enough light to get by. So why do we insist that this is the season to be at our most productive?
I decided to let nature set the pace. To trust that momentum would return with the light. And for now, to take the nap.
Then, in the middle of that deep rest, something kismet happened. I received an invitation from Libra Forde, executive director of the Women’s Foundation of Oregon, to speak on her podcast about “sleep from a regular person perspective, what it means, why it matters, and how it shows up, or not, in leadership, community, and lived experience.”
Her invitation felt like a permission slip. Resting was now ofcially part of the work I was doing to prepare and research! I was sure the universe was smiling on me.
I immediately reached out to Dr. Andrea Matsumura, a sleep and menopause expert I admire, asking if she would join us for the conversation. Rest, like all values, is easier to honor when it’s held in community, when we gently remind one another that it matters. (And a really smart doctor has scientific proof it’s good for you!)
As a business owner, a mom, and someone who thrives in community, I’ve learned how easily rest gets deprioritized. But over the years, I’ve also come to see that my most important insights don’t show up during the daily grind. They arrive on long hikes, quiet mornings, and road trips where my only plan is to watch the sky.
Even when I tried to get a jumpstart on my home improvement list this winter, our maintenance team kindly advised me to wait. The paint wouldn’t cure well in cold weather. Other projects made more sense to take on when days were longer and warmer. So I added them to the calendar for later, trusting the season’s wisdom instead of forcing my own.
This is something we often forget in real estate. Homes, like people, have seasons. Some homes pop in spring. Others need a little more time. Some clients feel ready to move before the flowers do. Others need to prune old expectations first.
We talk a lot about market timing. And yes, timing matters. But what we rarely talk about is internal timing. The readiness that comes not from external pressure, but from alignment. From knowing, in your bones, that the season has shifted and it’s your moment to act.
A home is not just an asset. It is a sanctuary. It is the place where you return to yourself. Where your body gets to rest. Where your ideas unfold. Where your courage grows. And it is from that place, from being deeply grounded, that we begin to make the decisions that move us forward.
This spring, as the days stretch longer and the city begins to bloom, you may feel the pull to begin something new. If you’re considering a move, whether across town or into a new chapter of life, our agents are here to help you do it on your terms.
At Living Room Realty, we believe the best transitions honor your own rhythm. We’ll meet you where you are and help you move at the pace that aligns with your goals, your energy, and your season.
And the good news? In Portland, there’s no wrong time to buy or sell a home. Every season ofers something unique. So you can ignore the pressure and trust your own timing. Let spring awaken what’s next; and know that when you’re ready, we’re ready to help you find a living room that supports your rest, your growth, and everything in between.
In joy,
JENELLE ISAACSON ETZEL FOUNDER, LIVING ROOM REALTY
We are in the business of sharing stories— stories of the people we work with and of the neighborhoods we know and love.
More Than a Move: Finding Home in Oregon ABOVE/LEFT
After 40 years in New York and a life-changing season, Lee was ready to begin again. We connected over Zoom, and by January he was in Oregon exploring. After long drives and many showings, we found the one; a single-level custom home on acreage in wine country. Some real estate transactions move quickly. The special ones leave a lasting mark. If we do this work right, we don’t just help clients buy homes—we build friendships beyond the closing table. We’re so excited for Lee’s next chapter.
Last One Under Contract, First One Closed RIGHT
There’s something extra special about helping first-time buyers find where their story begins, and this closing was the sweetest way to wrap up 2025 and welcome 2026. S & J connected with LRR on December 30, and found the one almost instantly. Within 24 hours of preapproval and their first call, their ofer was accepted, just before the new year. Watching them step into homeownership has been such a joy, and we couldn’t be more excited for all the moments they’ll create in this space. Wishing S & J all the happiness as they begin this beautiful new chapter!
The Scenic Route to Home ABOVE
Garen and Ali fell for this home before they were ready to buy. By the time they had pre-approval, it was of the market for winter. We stayed in touch, arranged an of-market showing, and after touring others, they knew this was the one. The seller reactivated just for us, and a clean ofer sealed it—no spring competition needed. Near favorite bike routes and with an ADU for income and flexibility, it was worth the wait.
Manzanita, on Oregon’s north coast, is a lovely town to visit any time of the year. Activities center on seven wonderful miles of sandy beach and outdoor activities. Cute shops and interesting eateries cater to your every coastal whim.
MANZANITA COFFEE CO.
60 LANEDA AVE. MANZANITA, OR
Grab your cofee and fresh, warm pastry in this small cofee shop with a big heart before heading to the beach.
HEAD TO THE BEACH!
JUST KEEP GOING WEST, YOU’LL FIND AN ACCESS POINT
Walk north or south with cofee in hand, hunt for shells, watch surfers, and breathe in that aggressively fresh air. There is nothing like the Oregon coast!
YOLK
503 LANEDA AVE. MANZANITA, OR
After your morning on the shore, it’s time for brunch at Yolk. Enjoy a specialty breakfast cocktail or simply unwind with a delicious breakfast or lunch bite. Yolk is all about making your visit special.
STROLL DOWN LANEDA AVENUE
LANEDA AVE. MANZANITA, OR
Laneda Ave is the main thoroughfare in Manzanita. Browse the gold mine of galleries, book stores, and small boutiques. You can also check out what is happening at Hofman Center for the Arts, a place for artists, writers, horticultural enthusiasts and creators of all kinds.
OREGON BEACH RIDES
34600 GAREY ST, NEHALEM, OR 97131
See the coast from a new perspective on horseback! Enjoy a scenic ride on beach trails, through sand dunes, to the ocean beach, and return on dune trails around beautiful Nehalem Bay.
NEAH - KAH - NIE BISTRO
519 LANEDA AVE. MANZANITA, OR
Perfect for a date night, a girl’s night, or just a Thursday night, Neah-Kah-Nie Bistro delivers gourmet comfort food in an intimate dining atmosphere.
MANZANITA
Want to know more about home prices in your neighborhood? Reach out to me any time!
OREGON
OUR Li ing s
Modern Charm Meets Flexible Living
5440 NE 35th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
This thoughtfully updated ranch blends modern style with classic charm, featuring an open living, kitchen, and dining area with a custom tiled fireplace. Designer finishes elevate the space throughout. With 4 bedrooms, 2 refreshed baths, a dedicated ofce, and a finished basement with exterior access, it ofers flexible living options. Enjoy a covered patio and new deck, all minutes from NE Portland hotspots.
4 bed | 2 bath | 2,501sq. ft. | $685,000
Modern Coastal Retreat
483 Meadows Dr, Manzanita, OR 97130
Move-in ready new construction ofering ~2,300 sq ft of flexible living with quality finishes. Reverse floor plan features two living areas, vaulted great room with gas fireplace, covered deck, and primary suite. Quartz kitchen with distant Nehalem Bay views. Durable LVP flooring. Lower level has 2 bedrooms + full bath. Private lot beside common space, close to town and beach.
3 bed | 2.5 bath | 2,300 sq. ft. | $1,049,900
Room to Grow on 1.25 Private Acres
1218 SE Singletree Dr, Vancouver, WA 98683
Privately set on 1.25 acres, this 6,739 sq ft home ofers space, flexibility, and incredible potential just minutes from Vancouver conveniences. With 8 bedrooms and 7 baths, multiple living areas, two kitchens, dual laundry rooms, and a 1,000 sq ft garage, it’s ideal for multigenerational living or guests. Vaulted ceilings, abundant storage, and no HOA make this rare property ready for your vision.
8 bed | 7 bath | 6,739 sq. ft. | $1,250,000
Super Duper in Cooper (Mountain)
8500 SW 184th Lp, Beaverton, OR 97007
Tucked on a quiet Cooper Mountain street, this contemporary home features soaring ceilings and light-filled spaces. Chef’s kitchen with Dacor, Jenn-Air, and Fisher & Paykel appliances. Skylit family room with gas stove and Mt. St. Helens views. Private primary wing, French doors to yard, A/C, oversized garage with loft workshop, and trail access beyond the back gate.
3 bed | 2.5 bath | 2,106 sq. ft. | $615,000