Portland Neighborhoods A - G
This list of Portland’s neighborhoods includes those most popular in the market today. Most of the neighborhood names come from the original owners who bought the land in Oregon’s early founding days. Other names came from developers and subdivisions. Some neighborhoods were based along and built by owners of old trolley lines that are no longer in existence. Some neighborhood names and their descriptions evolved from slang and are part of Portland’s evolution as a livable city. Newcomers to Portland from other large cities will appreciate the quality and convenience of public of transportation between downtown and all of our neighborhoods listed here.
As the crow flies, Portland is fairly easy to navigate with just a few nooks and crannies that will keep you looking at your Thomas Guide. The city is divided, mostly on a grid, into five sections, SW, SE, North, NE and NW. The Willamette River divides the city in half, East and West. Twenty years ago, the Westside was the “upper crust,” and the Eastside was the lower end of the city. But as trends have changed toward the walk-to neighborhood village, Eastside demand leads the Portland housing market, often driving even higher sales prices. Each area has its own set of unique characteristics that make it appealing. Simply put, Portland has a neighborhood to satisfy the wants and needs of almost any home owner.
Each neighborhood name is followed by city proximity, followed by my initial spin on the neighborhood. Then included is a general opinion of pricing based on the typical home within the neighborhood compared to the city as a whole. This non-exhaustive list is presented as guide for those new to Portland:
AINSWORTH. NE/N. This is a traditional area of homes based on a green meridian street, Ainsworth. Named after the steamboat captain, John Commigers Ainsworth. Find moderately priced homes of all ages and conditions, many from the 1920s. Ainsworth leads to Peninsula Park at Albina and Ainsworth streets, with one Portland’s most beautiful sunken rose test gardens. Sometimes referenced as Piedmont.
ALAMEDA. NE. One of Portland’s largest and favorite neighborhoods. Find medium- to expensive-priced homes, most in fine condition. I divide Alameda into sections: Lower Alameda (near Irvington), Outer Alameda (past 33rd ), and the Ridge and Upper Alameda (above Fremont Street). Much of Alameda was built in the 1920s with traditional streets and homes. Many homes were built in the decade 1900-1919, which we call, Old Portland, or Foursquare-style. Infill includes many deluxe ranch homes from the 1940s and later.
ALBERTA ARTS. NE. An evolving neighborhood with homes of all ages, sizes and styles for a wide range of buyers. Find moderate to expensive homes, with prices on the rise because of its popularity, renovation/improvements, and close-in location. Alberta boasts many new restaurants, galleries and shops.
ARBOR LODGE. N. An evolving neighborhood with homes of all ages, sizes and styles for a wide range of buyers. Find inexpensive to medium-priced homes with prices on the rise because of its popularity, renovation/improvements, and close-in location. Bordering Interstate Ave., it’s host to many trendy grocery stores, restaurants and new MAX line.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. SW. One of Portland Height’s crown jewel neighborhoods, bordering the Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden, Washington Park and Hoyt Arboretum. Some of Portland’s oldest and most expensive homes are found here. Even fixer properties can boast price tags nearing a million dollars. A very insulated area, with many architecturally significant homes on winding streets. Home sizes can vary from tiny to very large. Ask what the taxes are.
BELMONT. SE. Central in the eastside grid of homes, with a straight shot to downtown and blocks of favorite destinations, both north and south. Built around the old Belmont trolley line no longer in existence, now centered on an old, Belmont town strip. The new anchor, Belmont Dairy, houses the flagship Zupan’s grocery store and Belmont Dairy Lofts.
BOISE ELLIOT. NE/N. An evolving neighborhood with homes of all ages, sizes and styles for a wide range of buyers. Find moderate to expensive homes, with prices on the rise because of its popularity, renovation/improvements, and close-in location. Boise Elliot boasts many new restaurants, galleries and shops in the Mississippi St. area.
BEAUMONT / WILSHIRE. NE. An offshoot of Alameda, with more homes from the 1920s, bungalows and many fine ranch-style, or Cape Cod-style homes built in the 1940s-‘50s. Medium to expensive, well-maintained homes on pretty streets. Area boasts a lot of restaurants, shops and businesses along NE Fremont between 42nd and 57th avenues.
BRENTWOOD - DARLINGTON. SE. Just about Portland’s farthest south neighborhood before you reach Milwaukie. Affordable prices attract many home buyers. Great proximity to many conveniences. Homes of all ages, styles and sizes can be found here with prices to match almost every home buyer’s budget.
BRIDLEMILE. SW. A large, sloping, favorite SW Portland neighborhood. Medium to expensive homes, built mostly in the 1950s and later. Has a suburban feel, most homes are built on large lots but still very close to downtown. Many nice mid-century homes can be found here.
BROOKLYN. SE. A convenient, close-in, SE location of older homes, south of Powell and bordering the Willamette River. Moderate to medium-priced homes. Find Victorian to bungalows and a few infill 1950s. Brooklyn has a cult following of neighborhood fans.
BUCKMAN. SE. A convenient, central and close-in, SE location of older homes, a straight commute to the city, 20-30 blocks! I call it the closest-in of all of the eastside grid neighborhoods near downtown. Medium to expensive homes. Find Victorian to bungalows and multifamily. Buckman has a cult following of neighborhood fans and an urban/neighborhood living feel.
BURLINGAME. SW. Homes built on a large hill (among the last of Portland’s West Hills) south of Hillsdale and Terwilliger. Medium-priced and medium-sized homes mostly of 1940s and ’50 vintages. Some homes have views or are located near the I-5 freeway, and many conveniences.
COLONIAL HEIGHTS. SE. One of Portland’s favorite neighborhoods. Find medium to expensive homes, most in fine condition. Very close to the city core. Most of Colonial Heights is 1920s, all traditional streets and homes. Plus, many homes were built from 1900 to 1919, which we call, Old Portland or Foursquare-style. Infill includes many deluxe ranch homes from the 1940s and later. Bordered by SE Hawthorne (and the Hawthorne/Sunnyside neighborhood) and Division, this neighborhood offers one of largest villages of eateries, shops and more.
CONCORDIA. NE. A popular, far north NE area of homes built around Concordia University and NE Ainsworth. Medium prices, varying styles and sizes. Find stretches of 1920s bungalows next to a ranches or large tracts of postwar dream homes. Find prices on the rise because of Concordia’s popularity, renovation/improvements on quality homes of varying periods.
COUNCIL CREST. SW. Some of Portland’s best panoramic views and most expensive homes are found here. Even fixer properties can bring prices nearing a million. A very insulated area with many 1950s homes (some older) on winding streets. Home sizes can vary from tiny to very large. Next to Healy Heights. Ask what the taxes are.
CRESTON-KENILWORTH. SE. A small favorite neighborhood anchored by Kenilworth and Creston parks. In part because of affordability and proximity, this neighborhood has a loyal following and residents often don’t want to leave. Moderate to medium prices. Homes of all ages, styles and sizes can be found here with prices to match almost every mid-range home buyer’s budget.
CULLY. NE. Divided into Cully Crafts and Country Cully, depending on size of lots and street improvements. Inexpensive to moderate prices. Homes are various sizes, styles and conditions. Many homes are built on large lots. Great starter neighborhoods at low prices.
DOLPH PARK. NE. A Step up from neighboring Grant Park and Alameda with homes built of the highest quality. Expensive. Large Tudors and Colonials line pretty streets. Most homes were built in the 1920s-‘30s and feature elegant interiors.
DUNTHORPE. SW. One of Portland’s most exclusive enclaves, bordering the Willamette River. Some of Portland’s oldest and most expensive homes are found here. Even fixer properties can bring prices topping a million dollars. A very insulated area with many architecturally significant homes on forested streets. Many homes are built on large lots, some with boat slips. Many of the homes were built by famed Portland architect, Wade Hampton Pipes. Riverdale is a very popular grade 1-12 school. Ask what the taxes are.
EAST MORELAND. SE. A neighborhood steeped in tradition. Find beautiful homes with formal gardens, expensive to very expensive. Greatly influenced by the east coast feel of the famed Reed College, which it borders. Many homes are Cape Cod or Colonial with a nice mixture of Arts and Crafts and bungalows, too. Many of the streets and trees are the prettiest of Portland. Check out East Moreland’s little sister, West Moreland.
FOREST HEIGHTS. NW. A grand-scale subdivision beginning in the late 1980s and winding down into the 2000s. Expensive to very expensive depending on custom details, size and views. Some condos and townhomes. Everyone loves the convenience Forest Heights offers in the form of high-end, newer construction and Portland schools. Ask what the taxes are.
FULTON PARK. SW. Hillside neighborhood that was divided upon completion of I-5 near Terwilliger. Moderate to expensive depending on view or location. Relatively close-in SW location. Homes were built starting in the 1890s and later with significant infill from the 1950s onward. Some spectacular river and Mount Hood views are available from hillside lots.
GARDEN HOME. SW. Outer SW Portland suburb just before Beaverton/Tigard. Moderate to medium prices. Lots of 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s and later built on large lots. Close to many conveniences. Can buy a lot of home for the dollar. Be sure to check you commute time.
GARTHWICK. SE. Actually, this is in Portland, but just over the border into Clackamas county, which may confuse some people. Expensive. It’s located north of Portland’s oldest golf course, the Waverley Country Club. The original, exclusive subdivision to the south, Waverley, consisted of 16, five-acre parcels! Garthwick developed next to Waverley, extending the same charm and distinction. This small neighborhood offers showy homes with alley-access garages that help project a very formal street front. Most homes are meticulously maintained with beautiful gardens.
GRANT PARK. NE. A nice, older neighborhood of Craftsman bungalows, cottages and Old Portland-style homes of varying sizes surround Grant High School and Park. Medium to expensive. This is an insulated neighborhood near many popular destinations.
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