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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options-house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location-it all can be quite overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve researched the best neighborhoods for families in Portland, so you don’t have to. You’ve no doubt seen our Portland City Guide, which includes a short section on a few of Portland’s most popular neighborhoods (oh, and by way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—Portland movers and movers throughout the country).
This list is a more in-depth neighborhood guides meant to examine what it’s like living in each of these highlighted areas, with links to popular destinations, as well as available houses for sale and apartments for rent.
What makes Portland a Great Place to Live?
With amazing restaurants, breweries, distilleries, coffee shops, events, music venues, art, and outdoor destinations, and a population of proudly self-declared eccentrics, Portland is one of the best and most interesting cities to live in.
One of Portland’s many advantages is its walkability. The city has a walk score of 84 out of 100, many daily errands and activities can be accomplished on foot, and that walking(and biking) is a convenient and popular way to get around in the city. The city also has a robust public transportation system, including buses, light rail, and streetcars, which can provide easy access to different areas of the city.
The city’s greenspaces are amazing. Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the United States, covering over 5,000 acres of land on the northwest edge of Portland. It has miles of hiking and biking trails, and is home to a variety of plants and animals. Washington Park is located in the hills above downtown Portland and is home to many of the city’s top attractions, including the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Portland Children’s Museum.
And, while Portland is associated with rain, the city actually receives less precipitation than many other cities in the U.S., such as New York City, Boston, and Miami. The difference is that Portland has frequent drizzly days, while cities with higher rain totals tend to have more sunny days overall. The city receives an average of 36 inches of rain per year, with the wettest months being November through February. Despite its moist reputation, summer months can be sunny and dry.
Know your Portland Neighborhoods
When analyzing the neighborhoods of Portland, it’s easiest to split the city into four quadrants. These quadrants are divided by Interstate 5, Highway 26, and Interstate 84. And many locals refer to the Westside and Eastside of the city.
Westside holds most of the suburban or residential neighborhoods in Portland with more newly constructed homes and condos. This area of the city has some of the best schools, the residents are diverse and more affluent, and transportation to downtown is relatively easy.
The Eastside of Portland has become more densely populated, and development has started to overtake some of Eastside’s long-standing buildings and character-rich neighborhood hubs to make room for new construction and apartments.
This side of Portland holds some of the cities older neighborhoods. Many houses on the Eastside were built between 1910 and 1950, and the area is rich in character and charm. Eastside emits that quirky and delightful Portland local feel with small neighborhood shops, eclectic restaurants, and walkable streets.
So, whether you’re looking for the good schools in the city, best housing deals, or a place where you can easily kick back and enjoy some nightlife, we’ve found the most family-friendly pockets throughout the city’s quadrants. Look below for our list of the best neighborhoods for families in Portland.
A note about safety: Like any city, Portland has safe and not-so-safe neighborhoods. In general, violent crime rates are the same as in other large US cities. Property crime rates tend to spike higher here than elsewhere though. Incidences of bike theft and smash-and-grab vehicle robberies, for example, are comparatively high. A good home alarm system and commonsense precautions will help keep you and your belongings secure. The neighborhoods we highlight in this article are among Portland’s safest.
Nob Hill
Nob Hill is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and stands out as authentically Portland. It’s packed with boutiques and locally owned restaurants and sits close to Forest Park’s 70 miles of nature-dense hiking trails. Residents of Nob Hill are commonly found walking or biking to their destinations – usually to Nob Hills great hubs like Pizza Schmizza or City Market NW or to the neighborhood’s plethora of salons, cafes, boutiques, and bars, making it our first choice on our guide to the best neighborhoods for families in Portland.
What’s Happening in Nob Hill
This district isn’t as expensive as the Pearl District yet, but there’s just as much to do. Besides Forest Park, Nob Hill is close to picturesque rose and Japanese gardens. For some of the best local eats, check out Besaw’s, which serves delicious home-style breakfasts and cocktails. The sunning, light-flooded brewery, Breakside, makes tasty and creative beer.
For sweets, pop into Papa Haydn and sample some late-night cake. Or taste the best bites of ice cream at the close-by Salt & Straw. On rainy days, grab a hot cup of tea at the Tea Chai Te lounge, and head over to one of Portland’s best-known indie-theaters, Cinema 21.
Schools in Nob Hill
Heads up, parents: The neighborhood is served by the Portland Public Schools district, which ranks average when compared to other school districts in the United States. That said, there are some highly-ranked schools in this area, including Lincoln High School, Chapman Elementary School, and Metropolitan Learning Center.
Homes in Nob Hill
Nob Hill has a number of Victorian style homes, restored Craftsman, and newer condos, apartments, and lofts. It’s a buyer’s market right now, median home prices have dropped significantly over the last year, with the average sales price now at $325K.
Pearl District
One of the tiptop places to live in Portland and located in the heart of downtown, Pearl District is chock-full of chic boutiques, galleries, and dining destinations. But it’s maybe best known for its diverse mix of regional and local breweries. The neighborhood is close to Powell’s City of Books and the Art Institute of Portland, and locals hit the pavement during the monthly art walk, making it a happening spot on our guide to the best neighborhoods for families in Portland.
What’s Happening in the Pearl District
Pearl District is one of Portland’s most walkable areas. And its streets are clad with cobblestone and riverside docks. Previously an industrial area, Pearl District is now one of the most up and coming neighborhoods for young professionals and families. Community events, breweries, restaurants, and local shops all meet here.
Exhibits and galleries line the street like Bullseye Projects and Annie Meyer’s contemporary painting gallery. The area also features Oregon’s oldest craft brewery, Bridgeport Brewing Company, as well as Deschutes, Bridgeport, Rogue, and 10 Barrel. Sample the eclectic cuisine at Mediterranean Exploration Company, Irving Street Kitchen, Piattino, and Zaatar. Or grab some tapas with a group of friends at Andina.
Schools in Pearl District
While the Portland Public Schools district ranks average, there are some well-ranked schools in this area. As in Nob Hill (see above) the top schools are Lincoln High School, Chapman Elementary School, and Metropolitan Learning Center.
Homes in Pearl District
Pearl District offers a variety of housing options – from historic homes to contemporary apartments. Median sales price has remained the same over the past year, selling for a median price of $450K.
Alameda
Alameda proudly offers some of the best views of the city. From the top of its ridge, locals can scan downtown, the WIllament River and the Cascade Mountain Range. The neighborhood has a low crime rate, good schools, and friendly neighbors who are active in their community, making it an excellent choice for a neighborhood for families in Portland.
What’s Happening in Alameda
Alameda is only a few minutes away from downtown and is considered an arts district.
The Alameda Brewhouse is a hot-spot for locals and offers homey drinks and dishes like their Black Bear Stout and Turkey Pot Pie. Sample an elegant breakfast at the Guilder Cafe. Or explore the Italian meats, cheeses, and wines at Amalfi’s.
Schools in Alameda
The top-ranked schools in this neighborhood include Alameda Elementary, Beaumont Middle School, and Grant High School among others.
Homes in Alameda
Alameda was originally built by upper-class residents of early Portland history. The homes are large, beautiful, and can be quite pricey, with many cottages, craftsman, Tudor, and bungalows. The good news is that prices have dropped a bit, compared to last year, the median home price is now $460K.
Sellwood-Moreland
This family-friendly neighborhood has some of the best schools in Portland. Its easy public transportation, cute homes, and attractions – an array of shops, vintage vendors, and restaurants – make the historic Sellwood-Moreland the home to many happy Portland families. With beautiful residential streets plus plenty of city amenities, Sellwood-Moreland feels like a mix of urban and suburban, making it a versatile choice as far as neighborhoods for families in Portland.
What’s Happening in Sellwood-Moreland
Sellwood-Moreland is packed with activities for adults and kids alike. It’s home to movie theaters and amusement parks as well as riverfront woodlands and scenic parks. Shop through the streets lined with antique malls and indie stores like Stars and Fuchsia. Or sample some of the neighborhood’s best local restaurants, like Reverend’s BBQ, A Cena, Papa Haydn’s, or Jade Bistro & Patisserie.
Schools in Sellwood-Moreland
Schools in this neighborhood include Sellwood Middle School, Creative Minds Learning Center, and St. Agatha Catholic School among others. As noted above, this neighborhood boasts great schools.
Homes in Sellwood-Moreland
This neighborhood used to offer some great deals, but prices have risen over the past year. Homes are now selling for a median price of $639K
Goose Hollow
Goose Hollow offers some of the best varieties of activities in Portland with a pleasant mix of shops, restaurants, and residential streets. The area’s great location (a walk or bike ride away from downtown), easy public transportation, and affordable homes have piqued the interest of many young professionals and families in the area.
Though it’s only blocks away from the bright and new renovations of the city, Goose Hollow offers its own vibe, which tilts more toward historical and residential. It’s close to some of the best schools in the area, and its homes are tucked away on the western edge of the neighborhood boundary, making its streets feel quiet and private.
What’s Happening in Goose Hollow
Goose Hollow is close to Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo, and the Portland Japanese Garden. Its also steps away from Providence Park, home of the Portland Timbers, the city’s professional soccer team. But there’s more than serene strolls in this neighborhood.
The Artist Repertory is Portland’s longest-running theater company and plays great shows regularly. Coco Donuts serves coffee and sweet treats. And Little Red’s bakes up plump cinnamon buns, brioche rolls, croissants, and hand-decorated sugar cookies. For a fully plant-based menu, visit Ichiza’s Kitchen. And for dinner, visit the cozy Goose Hollow Inn for a Reuben sandwich and beer.
Schools in Goose Hollow
Goose Hollow is another Portland neighborhood that is served by some of the city’s highest-ranked schools. These include Ainsworth Elementary School, West Sylvan Middle School, and Riverdale High School among others.
Homes in Goose Hollow
Goose Hollow has some historic homes as well as elegant condos built into repurposed mansions. The area offers both modern and historic housing options, with single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Homes here are selling for a median price of $462k.
South Waterfront
Nature lovers unite in South Waterfront. This new development is the country’s largest sustainable living project. Home to Portland’s tallest residential building at 31 stories high, South Waterfront blends industrial with nature. The greenway, Willamette River, and its adjacent park naturally merge into this young neighborhood’s trendy shops, restaurants, and beautiful (but quite expensive) houses and apartments.
What’s Happening in South Waterfront
This strip is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Portland. The development has created 3,000 new residential units and lots of space for offices and retailers.
The nearby Tom McCall Waterfront Park breaks up the urban development with a wide-open space speckled with water fountains. And the South Waterfront Greenway provides Portland locals with a paved trail along the water’s edge. Sample great dishes at Rosswood, Pizzicato Pizza, Blue Star Donuts, or Muselet.
Schools in South Waterfront
Highly-ranked schools in this neighborhood include The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science and Benson Polytechnic High School among others. Other excellent nearby schools include Capitol Hill Elementary School (Multnomah Village) and Wilson High School (Hillsdale).
Homes in South Waterfront
This high-rise neighborhood is the largest and most expensive redevelopment the city has seen so far. Home prices here have risen by close to 60% over the past year, selling for a median price of $910K.
There you have it: the best neighborhoods for families in Portland!
We hope this guide to the best neighborhoods for families in Portland was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. We have local movers in Portland, and offer long-distance moving services in Portland as well. We also help coordinate moves for nearby cities like Seattle should you be interested! Need to move quickly? We provide last minute moving services as well!
Other Portland Guides
- Portland Moving Guide
- The Best Suburbs in Portland
- Up & Coming Neighborhoods in Portland
- The Best Neighborhoods in Portland
- Local School Options in Portland
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