Portland Neighborhoods and Suburbs

Out of Love for Portland

Portland, Oregon is an amazing place with distinct neighborhoods and suburbs, each with its own attractions and culture. We love our town! We enjoy writing about these unique spots, offering relocation tips and providing stats on Portland neighborhoods and suburb growth, development, schools, and more.

The 5 Highest Rated K-8 Schools in Portland in 2021

April 2, 2021

As we’ve noted before, school rankings and performance have a tangible impact on real estate prices. Areas with high-performing schools will see more demand and therefore higher price tags. This is even more true today, in the age of the internet. More school information than ever is available at your fingertips. While what makes a good school is very subjective (data points won’t describe the dedication of a teaching staff, for example), having this information is a great way to get a feel for where to find great schools. Under the Fair Housing Act, Realtors can’t “steer” you towards a certain school district. These regulations are meant to prevent discrimination; real estate agents shouldn’t be pushing a client towards a...

Top 5 Portland Maps for Sustainability and Livability in 2021

March 29, 2021

It’s not exactly a secret that Portland has been on the forefront of urban movements, now popularized, for decades. This city values the environment alongside its citizens’ enjoyment of it. From biking to hiking, from walking the neighborhood to getting out of town, Portland wants its people out there. (And its environment protected all the while.) Unsurprisingly, Portland maps show up to the challenge! In honor of this, today we’ll look at the top 5 Portland maps that showcase our city’s dedication to livability and sustainability. What Makes Portland a Livable City? The question of livability is no doubt debatable and subjective. But for our purposes here, we’re looking at a few key factors. First, mobility. How easy is it...

5 Things You Didn’t Know about Sherwood, Oregon

March 22, 2021

Tucked into a quiet corner of the Tualatin Valley, Sherwood is a suburb of Portland that doesn’t feel like a suburb so much as its own quiet town. Centered around a quaint downtown, this little nook of the greater Portland area exudes history and charm. But while Sherwood maintains a small town feel, don’t mistake that for small town thinking. There’s something for everyone in this community, whether you’re looking for arts and culture, dining, or peace and quiet. Today let’s take a peek at five of the most interesting – and little known – aspects of Sherwood, Oregon, one of the best kept secrets in the Portland suburb market. #1 – Yes, There Is a Connection to Robin Hood...

5 Things You Didn’t Know about Aloha, Oregon

March 8, 2021

Once you cross over the western boundary of Beaverton, you’ll find yourself in a quiet but well-developed area called Aloha. Yes, like the Hawaiian word used as a greeting and as a signifier of peace and unity. (But also… not like that, as you’ll learn below.) Pronounced a-LOH-ah, this little suburb still lives up to its name, though. Remarkable because of its community engagement and natural beauty, Aloha makes an excellent place to settle down and make a home. Keep reading to learn 5 things you perhaps didn’t know about Aloha, Oregon. #1 – There’s a Reason Why Aloha is Pronounced the Way It Is (We Think) Full honesty, the history of how Aloha got its name is a little...

Top 10 Portland Neighborhoods: 2021 Update

February 26, 2021

Thinking of buying a home in Portland but not sure where to start? Right now is a very strange time to be buying a home. It’s the middle of a pandemic, which makes it much more difficult to get a feel for neighborhoods. When even the concept of indoor dining is at times hypothetical, how do you get a gauge of a neighborhood? But the good news is that means there’s still so much out there to be explored! So to help you in your search for a new home, we’ve gathered up our top ten favorite neighborhoods in Portland right now. If you’re wondering how we decide – well, the thing about neighborhoods is they’re organic. There’s something ineffable...

Is Portland, Oregon Safe? – 2021 Update

February 19, 2021

Is Portland, Oregon Safe? This is a legitimate question and like most good questions it has a nuanced answer. There are parts of Portland that have been hit hard recently, and other neighborhoods that haven’t seen any statistical crime increase. Thankfully, we have exceptional, official Portland Crime Maps provided by the city itself. This crime map is incredibly detailed down to the street level and you can even select what type of crime you’d like to research. You’ll notice the current map is the feature image of this article and downtown Portland is not faring well. Portland Crime Charts 2021 The Portland Police Bureau creates detailed monthly crime charts and makes them available to the general public. Here again, you...

5 Things You Didn’t Know – Milwaukie, Oregon

February 10, 2021

Milwaukie is the kind of suburb that you’ll sometimes hear city-dwellers might as well be part of Portland – but isn’t. In its quaint downtown, you’ll find local retail and dining reminiscent of some quieter Portland neighborhoods. And yet, it still manages to feel like its own cul-de-sac, tucked just south of much less price-friendly Sellwood and Eastmoreland. With easy access to the MAX and its own brand of small town charm, Milwaukie is a suburb not to be underestimated. Read on to find five reasons why not. 1. It’s Home to Two Iconic Oregon Businesses So Milwaukie is just a sleepy suburb of Portland, right? Think again. You might not find a huge Nike campus here, but you will...

Shhh: Here are Portland’s Quietest Neighborhoods

February 1, 2021

According to the Portland Police Bureau, “No excessive noise is allowed in the City of Portland between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am.” That doesn’t keep delivery trucks from backing up at 4 AM with loud beepers, partiers playing music outdoors after midnight, and, to quote one 3:22 AM downtown Portland noise compliant, someone “Throwing large blocks of concrete into metal truck… on a daily basis.” Noise is a part of life in any city, but some parts of Portland are definitely quieter than others. While those born and raised in the big city don’t mind – and even desire – a bit of noise, others may need to seek out some relief for their health and sanity. Let’s jump...

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Happy Valley, Oregon

January 15, 2021

When Shakespeare pondered, “What’s in a name?” … he probably wasn’t thinking about neighborhood incorporation and real estate. But the origin of Happy Valley’s name brings a little intrigue to the table. Local lore claims that the name originates from neighborhood youths who got into some hard cider before church services. Their boisterous singing dubbed them the “happy boys from the hollow,” and the name followed. However, even the city’s website acknowledges that this is most likely a tale spun for marketing purposes. Well, we can’t blame them, as the strategy has clearly worked. Happy Valley has been one of the fasted growing cities in Oregon for the past several years, and clinched the number one spot in 2020. PSU’s...

Gresham Real Estate Market: 2021 Update

January 1, 2021

Known for affordability, diversity and a welcoming attitude, the Gresham real estate market east of Portland is experiencing renewed interest after 2020 turned the real estate market on its head. Whether you’re considering getting out of the city and closer to the Columbia Gorge, or are looking for a starter home in an affordable neighborhood, Gresham and the neighboring cities of Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village provide bountiful options. Plus, they are closer to the ever-gorgeous Mt. Hood and many of the homes come with spectacular views (article photo). Gresham vs. Troutdale/Fairview/Wood Village With a population of over 110,000, Gresham is the second biggest city in the Portland metro area after Vancouver, Washington, or the largest if you’re not counting...