Sublimity, OR

Set among the rolling fields of the North Santiam Valley, Sublimity is a quiet town of roughly 3,000 residents about fifteen miles east of Salem. Founded in the 1850s, it has maintained its peaceful, agricultural roots while offering safe neighborhoods and a relaxed pace. Every September, the community hosts the Sublimity Harvest Festival, a long-running tradition featuring tractor pulls, monster trucks, and family activities that draw visitors from all over the valley.

ATTRRobert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA / CC BY 2.0

For families, local kids attend Sublimity School through eighth grade before heading to nearby Stayton for high school. Highway 22 borders the town, giving commuters a straight twenty-minute drive into Salem and outdoor enthusiasts quick access to Silver Falls State Park, Detroit Lake, and the Cascades. Sublimity offers the comfort of a small, friendly community with the bonus of city amenities and mountain recreation just down the road.