Moving to Portland? Do you have a place to live? Portland isn’t a big city, but it has many neighborhoods, each with a distinct character. It pays to explore the various locales, if only online, before you decide where you’ll live, work and play. The city is in the midst of a housing shortage of sorts, so, when you find a suitable place to rent or buy, snap it up.
Here’s the rundown on some the best places to live in the City of Roses:
Downtown
Downtown is a great place to work and shop. Living here is pricey. If you land a job in the heart of the city and want to do without a car, living downtown can be convenient. The business district is scenic, easy to walk around and relatively quiet on weekends. Public transit is plentiful and a breeze to use. Buses, streetcars and the MAX lines all meet at the Portland Transit Mall, 20 blocks along 5th and 6th Streets.
The Pearl
If you’re a foodie, the Pearl will be your nirvana. Many of Portland’s neighborhoods have great eateries, but the Pearl, upscale and trendy, boasts the area’s most highly rated restaurants, brewpubs and cafes. You’ll pay a premium to live in this chic neighborhood, but if the idea of stepping from your front door onto a street filled with urban sophistication appeals to you, consider putting down stakes in the Pearl. The area is home to gleaming new buildings but older structures retain the flavor of its gritty past as a warehouse district.
SE Hawthorne and Belmont
This is the neighborhood that many newcomers will identify as quintessentially Portland. With numerous small restaurants and the Bagdad theater, it has the quirky vibe the city has become famous for. Bohemian and easy to traverse on foot, both locals and tourist love to shop in the vintage shops and boutiques. Young creatives relocating to Portland, Oregon often end up in Hawthorne or Belmont.
St. Johns
St. Johns, a neighborhood in the northern part of the city, has the charm and livability of a small town. The area is distinguished for the historic steel suspension St. Johns Bridge. It spans the Willamette River, connecting the neighborhood to an industrial area. Housing in St. Johns is relatively affordable. This is a great place for young families. Commuting to downtown takes about 15 minutes. If your job is west of the city, in Beaverton or Hillsboro, this neighborhood can be a good launching point with a commute of 20 minutes or so.
This list only scratches the surface of what Portland has to offer. If you’re relocating to Portland, Oregon give Master Movers a call. Whether you’re coming from near or far, we can handle your move. We know just about every street in the city and will help you plan the logistics for a stress-free move.