The Eliot Neighborhood in Portland – 5 Things to Know

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Portland locals know the inner East Portland neighborhood of Eliot as the site of the former city of Albina. Incorporated into Portland in 1891, Albina was home to much of the area’s black and immigrant population, and that diversity is still reflected today. Amongst stately Victorian mansions you’ll find signature Portland craftsman-style homes and newer condominiums. Homes aren’t all you’ll find in Eliot; read on to learn about five things that make this neighborhood unique, even for Portland.  

  1. It’s edible. Eliot’s Albina Cooperative Garden is the largest urban farm within Portland city limits! The Garden is a haven for city-dwellers, growing produce through volunteer effort and providing a beautiful green space even for those who don’t care to get their hands dirty. Want to participate but aren’t sure how? Expert gardeners host workshops throughout the year. The Garden is located at the southern edge of the neighborhood, adjacent to Lillis-Albina Park.
  2. Calmer traffic is coming. Neighborhood residents have been advocating for a safer NE 7th Ave for years, and now the area is up for transformation. Portland city planners haven’t made a firm commitment yet, but it looks like the street could be converted into a “greenway” for bicycles, complete with traffic diverters to calm speeding cars. When the project is complete, Eliot neighborhood dwellers will enjoy greater safety and walkability, two benchmarks that bode well for real estate values.
  3. Leading the way in green construction. All Portland homes will soon be more energy-conscious now that the Home Energy Score policy is in its second year of implementation. However, some Portland new home builders are getting ahead of consumer requests for zero-energy housing. The Tillamook Row housing complex combines passive energy efficiency with integrated solar to be the first new development in Portland to eschew the electric grid.
  4. Its schools are top-notch. Boise-Eliot Elementary School, Beaumont Middle School, Harriet Tubman Middle School, and Grant High School are common schools for Eliot students to attend, and all are highly rated among Oregon public schools. Compare and contrast the official Oregon Department of Education report cards for each school by clicking here.
  5. Eliot neighbors care. Even though the majority of Eliot residents are renters, the feeling of community is strong here. A glance through the newsletter of Eliot’s neighborhood association — one of the most active in Portland — shows the fruits of their labors: Litter gets cleaned up, storm drains get watched, air quality gets monitored and improved, and people feel welcomed. 

Does Eliot sound like the kind of place you’d want to live? Searching for similar Portland neighborhoods? Our top 1% Portland buyers’ team is here to answer your questions. Home prices are getting more reasonable across Portland — make 2019 your year to buy.

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