My Favorite Neighborhoods in PDX
1. Irvington (NE) – Embodies the traditional PDX neighborhood feel, close to everything, great schools and walkable. You can’t ask for much more.
2. Hawthorne (SE) – A stronghold of classic PDX architecture, Hawthorne offers good value, great amenities (there are tons of bars and restaurants) and a tight nit community for families and singles alike.
3. Nob Hill (aka NW 23rd area) - The most sought after center city hood has it all; prime location, super walkable, relatively safe with trendy shops, eateries and bars. The drawbacks are the parking (horrendous) and the prices (at times exorbitant).
4. Boise/Elliot (NE) - M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I (still remember that from elementary school!). Mississippi St. has turned into a cool thoroughfare with tons of shops, food carts and other necessary retailers to satisfy the taste and palette of upwardly mobile hipsters, granola crunchers, young families, and long term residents alike.
5. Goose Hollow (SW) Goose Hollow?!?! Yes Goose Hollow! I will admit to my bias; I am living in the neighborhood currently. It is a great balance of residential and commercial, is close to the MAX, counts PGE Park as a resident and is a great location for people wanting to live close to downtown.
6. Corbett/Lair Hill (SW) Overflowing with stunning old Victorians, check. Views of the Willamette from much of the neighborhood, check. OHSU Tram overhead, check. Close to downtown, check.
7. Buckman (SE) I used to live in Buckman. It is an area full of fixed gear bikes, skinny jeans, good coffee, great beer and decent home and rent prices. It’s basically a raw version of Hawthorne. The part of this neighborhood to really keep an eye on is the “Central Eastside Industrial District”. This is the area from Burnside down to OMSI, from MLK to the river. In my eyes this area of town is the best location that is underdeveloped… don’t be surprised if it looks like the Pearl down there in 20 years.
8. Arlington Heights (NW) Incredible houses only. Tucked into the West Hills between Washington Park, Burnside St. and the Zoo. This area is old money and it shows. Pony up $500k minimum if you want to buy around here.
9. St. Johns (NoPo) St. Johns may not be close to downtown PDX but that doesn’t really matter because it has the feeling of a tight nit small town in which residents can easily walk to coffee shops, grocery stores, the post office etc… Also, St. Johns Bridge is the coolest one in the city hands down.
10. Multnomah Village (SW) A village it is. With a quaint and very walkable strip Multnomah Village doesn’t have a downtown vibe and yet you can hop on I5 or Barbur Blvd. and be there in 5 minutes. MV also has some of the best home prices in PDX relative to amenities and location.
HONORABLE MENTIONS. Sellwood, Alameda, Overlook, Sabin, Collins View, S. Burlingame, Portland Heights, Abernathy, Ladd’s Addition, Laurelhurst, Downtown, The Pearl, Hollywood and Mt. Tabor.
I will do this list again next year, lets see how much it changes.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in PDX? Let me know in the comment section.