Top 10 Portland Neighborhoods in 2018

Portland has a dizzying variety of neighborhoods to pick from. The good news is, it’s hard to go wrong. Each has a distinctive personality and features that draw different types of home buyer. Yet, no matter where you end up in Portland, it won’t take long to feel at home. Here are my Portland real estate agent top ten Portland neighborhoods for 2018.

Sellwood Neighborhood

Riverside living at its best

Originally established as a mill town to the Southeast of Portland, Sellwood grew to a comfortable size before becoming a neighborhood of the larger city. Still, Sellwood maintains a distinct identity and a small-town feel while being within minutes of downtown Portland. Home buyers here are attracted to the extensive river frontage with many walking and cycling opportunities and a plethora of unique shops and restaurants. Easy access to the MAX (Portland’s light rail system) as well as a bike path running through Sellwood makes car-free commuting a breeze. Sellwood receives high marks for public safety, and those with kids can feel confident sending them to the #1 Public Elementary School in Oregon and the #3 Public High School in Oregon (according to niche.com).

Richmond Neighborhood

Urban diversity

Nestled between Southeast Portland and Mt. Tabor along Division Street, Richmond has a lot to offer. One one hand, its residential streets are quiet and tree-lined. Meanwhile, the main roads offer cuisine from around the world, hip boutiques and coffee shops, and a range of bars and music venues. It’s an easy drive, bike or bus ride to downtown Portland, but with attractions like the Hawthorne St. shopping district you may not need to travel as often as you think! Diversity is more than just a buzzword here, with Richmond’s Benson Polytechnic High School coming in second for most diverse school in Oregon. Organizations like the Richmond Neighborhood Association offer programs that support the health and vibrancy of this Portland community.

Mt. Tabor Neighborhood

For active-lifestyles

This Southeast Portland neighborhood boasts a 200-acre park, the site of the extinct Mt. Tabor volcano! Volcanic activity may be low, but residents of this neighborhood are in this park running, walking and playing every day of the year. Despite its location between busy Division and Burnside Streets, the residential lanes of Mt. Tabor are very quiet and safe. Accessibility both to downtown and other Southeast neighborhoods is good, which both commuters and students will love. Although this is a relatively small neighborhood, you can find just about everything you need in Mt. Tabor, from shops and restaurants to great schools. Mt. Tabor Middle School gets a 9/10 on greatschools.com, and nearby elementary and high schools are also well regarded by students and parents alike.

Pearl District

The urban core

For those who crave downtown living, there’s a gem – no, a Pearl! – of a neighborhood where all of life is within walking distance. Thanks to high density of housing compared to the rest of the city, there’s always something happening in the Pearl District, and residents and visitors alike catch the excited energy even on the cloudiest Portland day. Or maybe it’s just the high density of coffee shops in this former warehouse district! In addition, the Pearl boasts a plethora of galleries, Portland’s most beloved fountain/wading park and shopping galore. Chinatown, Nob Hill and Downtown are a quick walk or streetcar ride away. Several public and private schools are within a stone’s throw, giving students plenty of options.

Alameda Neighborhood

Crown of Northeast Portland

From the top of Alameda ridge, you can see all the way to Downtown and the Willamette River to the west, and to the Cascade mountain range in the east. While all of Northeast has become something of a hotspot in the last decade, Alameda retains its authenticity with many classic homes and buildings. Neighbors are active in their community, which is perhaps one of the reasons for Alameda’s low crime rate. It has its own elementary school, with higher grades not too far off. Downtown is just a few minutes away by car, and a half-hour by bus. The trendy shops and restaurants of the Alberta Arts district are even closer.

University Park

Now you know

Tucked away in North Portland between Lombard St. and the Willamette is a quiet little neighborhood that is — for now — somewhat of a locals’ secret. Cyclists love this neighborhood because it’s easy to get to everything you need by bike. Nearby St. John’s neighborhood has been described as a “town within a city” and it’s easy to see why. Most University Park residents do their shopping and go to school in St. John’s, but UP itself has a lot to offer. Start with affordable home prices and an easy commute to anywhere in North Portland (downtown is more of a trip unless you have a car, unfortunately). Throw in the fact that the area is beginning to develop into a trendy neighborhood, yet retains its student-centric, down-to-earth personality, and you have a great Portland neighborhood! Be sure to stop for chowder at Fishwife while you’re in University Park — it’s a local favorite.

Woodstock Neighborhood

Friendly and one of a kind

The southernmost neighborhood of Southeast Portland is right next to Reed College, a prestigious university known for progressive thinking. Walking the quiet avenues of Woodstock, one is likely to find beautiful older homes with unique and artistic touches, as well as interesting places to shop and eat with a global influence. Although it’s definitely an inclusive community, it’s also extremely welcoming; we’ve sold real estate here to folks who now feel like they’ve been living in Woodstock all their life. Several parks are inside and around the neighborhood, including an amazing rhododendron garden. Woodstock is home to a dizzying variety of schools, especially for elementary-aged kids, and all have great parent involvement. Commute-wise, it’s twenty minutes to downtown by car and not too far from the MAX station, which will get you there in the same amount of time.

Arlington Heights

It’s a zoo

Actually, Arlington Heights in West Portland is quite the opposite of a zoo — quiet, stately homes tucked up into the hill — but it is very close to the Portland Zoo! Not only that, but residents of this neighborhood can step out their front doors to visit the Japanese Gardens and everything else the 500-acre Washington Park has to offer. Historic Pittock Mansion is right across Burnside Road, a fascinating walk through Portland history and architecture. Burnside connects Arlington Heights with downtown Portland in a matter of minutes. Many residents will walk or bike down to work or school and take the bus back up the hill in the afternoon. With convenient shops and restaurants on 23rd Avenue as well as upper Burnside, it’s no wonder Arlington Heights is one of Portland’s most sought-after zip codes.

Concordia Neighborhood

Artist’s delight

Considered “very walkable” by walkscore.com, this North Portland neighborhood is not just easy to walk around in — it’s fun! From the Alberta Arts District in the Southwest corner of the neighborhood, to the offbeat Kennedy School Hotel, to Concordia University at the other end, every block of this neighborhood has something to see. While other parts of North Portland can feel isolated, this neighborhood is quite the opposite. With a New Seasons grocery store and several schools in the neighborhood, Concordia is a great place for families to settle in and stay. Downtown is twenty-five minutes by car and 40 by bus or bike. Oh, and Last Thursdays are the time to go and experience the arts scene in Concordia!

John’s Landing

Location, Location, Location

If you want the ability to be downtown in less than ten minutes, or need easy access to OHSU, John’s Landing is the neighborhood for you. It’s not all about commuting, though — this little neighborhood is a pleasant mix of old and new along the Willamette River. It’s a beautiful place to own a condo, and that’s the primary housing type here. Willamette Park is a great place to walk, and the path will take you all the way up to the South Waterfront with its trendy new restaurants and shops. If old is more your style, walk back through the streets paralleling the I5 for some historic wonders, including a home built entirely out of stone from Multnomah Falls.

This article was written by Stephen FitzMaurice and featured on Sparefoot.com, a moving guide website.