For those of you that are familiar with Portland's layout, this can be a very easy city to navigate. If you are just moving to this city, there are a few basics that can help. To begin, the city is divided into quadrants (NE, SE, SW & NW). The Willamette River separates east and west. Burnside Street separates north from south. The Willamette River curves a bit to the west just north of downtown, and this makes for a weird fifth "quadrant" called North Portland. According to the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, (ONI) a city agency, there are more than 90 neighborhood associations in Portland. For additional information and neighborhood demographics, please visit the ONI website.
I have had the pleasure of living in the Belmont, Clinton, Piedmont, Nob Hill and Garden Home neighborhoods. I also spent my childhood in Tualatin, a suburb of Portland. Below are some of my favorite areas around town.
NORTHWEST PORTLAND
Pearl District
The Pearl District borders Old Town and Burnside St. Recently, this industrial area was transformed into one of the trendy and priciest urban neighborhoods in Portland. The contemporary high rise condominiums coupled with some of the swankiest restaurants, bars and shopping in town has made the Pearl extremely popular among young professionals.
Ironically, before the Peal was an expensive hot spot, it was a haven for artists who were drawn to the warehouse buildings because of the cheap living and work space. The area still holds onto that history and is a hub for art retailers. On the First Thursday of every month, you can participate in the Art Crawl. Retailers and galleries stay open late to host this event.
Elementary school: Chapman Elementary School
Middle school: West Sylvan Middle School
High school: Lincoln High School
Alphabet District, AKA "Nob Hill"
Nob Hill is conveniently located in Northwest Portland. It is a quick 5 minute drive to downtown Portland. It is also close to Highway 30 and the Industrial District.
The Nob Hill neighborhood, also known as the NW 21st and 23rd Avenue neighborhood is a very popular area to shop, eat, walk the dogs, get coffee or just hang out. There is a jumble of boutique shops, salons, bars and great restaurants to choose from. This neighborhood is always bustling with activity. The neighborhood has a lot of charm. In between the trendy strips of 21st and 23rd, there are gorgeous old Portland homes with tons of character.
Neighborhood Demographics and Census Statistics
Elementary school: Chapman Elementary School
Middle school: West Sylvan
High school: Lincoln High School
NORTHEAST PORTLAND
Irvington
Irvington is one of those beautiful, classic American neighborhoods that has storybook appeal. The quiet streets are lined with gorgeous, historic homes, manicured lawns and mature trees. If you are drawn to classic, older homes, you will love this established neighborhood.
Irvington is a fantastic location for both commuting, as well as getting to many other great Portland neighborhoods. It is ideally located between NE Broadway and NE Fremont, between NE 7th and NE 26th. Major freeway ramps located near Irvington include I-84 and I-5. Portland's Tri Met runs bus schedules, and the MAX light rail train is only blocks away from Irvington's Southernmost boundary, at Lloyd Center Mall. Drive West over the Broadway bridge to get downtown or to the Pearl District.
A good place to check out some grand old homes in Irvington is the National Register of Historic Places website.
Neighborhood Demographics and Census Statistics
Elementary school: Irvington Elementary School
Middle school: Fernwood Middle School
High school: Grant High School
Alameda
Alameda is bordered by the Irvington, Beaumont-Wilshire, Grant Park and Concordia neighborhoods. From downtown cross over the Willamette River on the Broadway Bridge and head north on NE Broadway. Take a left on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Turn right on NE Fremont Street - when you pass NE 21st Avenue look right or left and you're in Alameda. It takes apr 10-12 minutes to drive downtown by car. TriMet has three bus routes in Alameda.
Alameda is a simply gorgeous area. It's easy to want to live in such as prestigious northeast neighborhood. The quiet, clean streets are lined with historic homes in mint condition. The community has an enormous amount of pride in the homes and most have been completely restored. Homes in Alameda consist of old Portland style (Foursquares), Bungalows, English Tudors and some modest cottages and ranch style homes.
Elementary school: Alameda Elementary School
Middle school: Beaumont Middle School
High school: Grant High School
Alberta Arts District
The Alberta area is not officially recognized as an independent neighborhood. It borders the Vernon, Concordia and King Neighborhoods. However, after a 10 year transformation, the street has made a name for itself in the hearts of Portlanders.
The Art District spans from about 7th Ave to 30th Ave along Alberta St. The long strip has everything from bars and restaurants to blue collar businesses and St. Andrew Catholic Church reminding us of the streets long history.
On the last Thursday of every month, Alberta holds a street fair in which neighborhood artists and businesses stay open late to display and sell their art or local products. On this particular night, the street is lined with people of all ages out to sample the unique and entertaining scene. The "Last Thursday Art Walk" is a guaranteed good time!
The Alberta Arts "Last Thursday" fair is a more "laid back" approach to the Pearl District's "First Thursday" art crawl.
This neighborhood is known for its fiercely independent vibe, look and sensibility. You won't find any corporate chains here. Starbucks is simply not welcome.
Neighborhood Demographics and Census Statistics
Elementary school: Vernon Elementary School Faubion
Middle school: Tubman Middle School
High school: Jefferson High School
NORTH PORTLAND
Mississippi
Mississippi Avenue in North Portland is one of those pockets of Portland that has gone from shabby to trendy in a relatively short time. Between north Fremont Street and north Shaver Street you'll find many popular establishments: The Rebuilding Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to recycling building material, The Mississippi Pizza Pub (whose adjacent lounge hosts live music almost every night), Muddy's Coffee House and Mississippi Station (great breakfast or lunch spots for the family) and the Crow Bar (one of north Portland's most popular dive bars). New sleek bars with shiny storefronts have sprung up all along the street. The atmosphere and easy access to downtown make this a very attractive place to live.
The thriving local businesses, youthful counter-culture vibe, location and quaint old Portland homes creates a growing demand for homes, renovations and new development in the Mississippi neighborhood.
Piedmont
Piedmont is bordered to the east by Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and to the west by Interstate-5. The north border is Lombard St. and the south border is Killingsworth St. The most noticeable landmark is the Peninsula Park and Rose Gardens. This beautiful park helped Portland earn the title "City of Roses".
Although Piedmont was developed in 1895 as an upper middle class suburb, the neighborhood fell into disrepair after WWII. It has seen its ups and downs. In the last 10-15 years, the residents of this neighborhood have been on a mission to revive its roots. The homes are well built and crafted with superb detail. Take a quick walk through this quiet neighborhood and you are sure to find another home being restored.
The location is ideal for someone who wants to bike or walk to the Alberta or Mississippi neighborhoods and be a short bus ride to downtown. The public transportation is great. The Max line runs down Interstate and 6- MLK Blvd buses run every 15 minutes or better during the day, every day.
Elementary school: Peninsula Elementary School
Middle school: Portsmouth Middle School
High school: Roosevelt High School
SOUTHEAST PORTLAND
Belmont/ Hawthorne
The Belmont District located in Southeast Portland, runs along Belmont Street from about 31st to 60th Ave. The Hawthorne District (6 blocks south of Belmont) runs along Hawthorne Avenue from about 11th to 55th Ave. Both of these areas are not recognized as specific single neighborhoods. They include and are surrounded by the Sunnyside, Buckman, Ladd's Addition, Hosford-Abernathy and Mt. Tabor neighborhoods.
Both Belmont and Hawthorne are very popular streets in SE Portland. Both have many independently owned coffee shops, markets, distinctive boutiques and restaurants. The area has a great mix of urban diversity coupled with a fun and funky feel.
The homes surrounding these streets are varied in style and size. You can find everything from a contemporary condo or loft to a charming bungalow.
Undoubtedly, Hawthorne and Belmont are two of the most unique areas in SE Portland. The vibe is liberal, laid back and buzzing with activity. With so much to choose from, you will never get bored in these neighborhoods.
Elementary school: Glencoe Elementary School, Abernethy
Middle school: Hosford Middle School, Mount Tabor Middle School
High school: Cleveland High School, Franklin High School
Mount Tabor
The Mt Tabor neighborhood is bordered by the Sunnyside, Center, Montavilla, South Tabor and Richmond neighborhoods. The Mount Tabor neighborhood lies between SE 49th Ave on the west and SE 76th Ave on the east, and between E Burnside St on the north and SE Division St on the south.
It is appropriately named for the 600-foot high extinct volcano that is its landmark. Mount Tabor is one of the only volcanoes within a major city in the US and home to one of Portland's most popular parks. Mount Tabor Park is a 195 acre public park that has hiking trails, reservoirs, bike paths, a dog park and stunning views.
Mount Tabor is a stable and established neighborhood with a range of different style homes. There is a mix of modest older homes and stately mansions. The proximity to downtown is great (apr.15 minutes to the west by car).
Elementary school: Glencoe Elementary School
Middle school: Mt. Tabor Middle School
High school: Franklin High School
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