Portland

Portland, Oregon Real Estate Guide

Portland offers the best of both worlds: a thriving metropolitan center with big city culture, dining, and employment, all wrapped in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, with snow-capped Mount Hood visible from neighborhoods across the city, Portland has grown into one of the most desirable places to live on the West Coast. Though the city has earned a national reputation for its food scene, craft beverages, and creative spirit, what keeps residents here is the rare combination of urban energy and immediate access to forests, rivers, and mountains.

What to Love About Portland

• Over 5,200 acres of urban forest at Forest Park, with 70 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, all within city limits
• A nationally recognized food scene featuring James Beard Award-winning restaurants, food carts on practically every corner, and one of the country's best coffee cultures
• Iconic cultural landmarks including Powell's City of Books, the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Oregon Zoo
• More than 95 neighborhoods, each with its own personality, from walkable inner-city streets to quiet, tree-lined enclaves with acreage and views
• A robust public transit system with MAX light rail, streetcar, and bus service connecting neighborhoods across the metro
• Tax-free shopping throughout the state of Oregon
• A mere hour's drive to the Oregon coast, an hour to Mount Hood for skiing and snowboarding, and world-class Willamette Valley wine country right at the city's doorstep

Real Estate and Homes

Portland's housing stock tells the story of the city's growth over more than a century. From ornate Victorians built in the late 1800s to Craftsman bungalows from the early 1900s, mid-century modern gems, and sleek new construction, there is a style of home here to suit practically every taste and budget.

Inner Eastside (Hawthorne, Division, Alberta, Mississippi): These are Portland's most walkable and culturally active neighborhoods. Expect Craftsman bungalows, foursquare homes, and renovated Victorians on tree-lined streets, all within walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops, and independent retail. Homes here tend to sit on smaller city lots, but the access to dining, entertainment, and transit is hard to beat.

West Hills and Southwest (Arlington Heights, Hillsdale, Multnomah Village): Spectacular views, larger lots, and a quieter pace define the west side. Many homes here sit among mature trees with city and mountain views. Housing styles range from stately Colonials and Tudors to contemporary builds with walls of windows. Families are drawn to some of the city's top-performing schools in this area.

Northeast (Irvington, Laurelhurst, Beaumont, Grant Park): Grand Craftsman homes with large front porches, historic district protections, and family-friendly streets make these some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Portland. You will find some of the city's finest architectural details here, including original built-ins, hardwood floors, and ornate woodwork.

North Portland (St. Johns, Kenton): A combination of historic homes and newer construction at more accessible price points has made North Portland popular with first-time buyers and young families. The iconic St. Johns Bridge, Cathedral Park, and a growing roster of restaurants and shops are some of the things you can look forward to as a resident.

Pearl District and Downtown: Converted warehouse lofts, modern condominiums, and luxury apartments define this walkable urban core. The Pearl District is home to Powell's City of Books, galleries, and some of the city's best restaurants. For those who prefer city living without needing a car, this is the place.

Local Tip: Portland is divided into six "quadrants" (North, Northeast, Northwest, South, Southeast, and Southwest), split by Burnside Street and the Willamette River. Each quadrant has a distinct personality, and most longtime residents identify strongly with their side of town.

Lifestyle and Local Highlights

Life in Portland revolves around the outdoors, food, and community. The city manages to feel like a big small town, where neighborhood loyalty runs deep and locally owned businesses are the norm rather than the exception.

Outdoor Recreation

Forest Park is the crown jewel of Portland's outdoor offerings. Anchored by the 30-mile Wildwood Trail, this 5,200-acre urban wilderness connects to Washington Park, Pittock Mansion, the Hoyt Arboretum, and the Bird Alliance of Oregon's wildlife sanctuary. On any given day, you will find runners, hikers, cyclists, and dog walkers on its trails, often just minutes from their front doors.

Beyond Forest Park, the city is full of green space:

• Mount Tabor Park, built on an extinct volcanic cinder cone, offers panoramic city views and forested trails
• The Springwater Corridor Trail stretches over 20 miles along the Willamette River and through Southeast Portland
• Tom McCall Waterfront Park runs along the downtown riverfront and hosts festivals, markets, and community events throughout the year
• Powell Butte Nature Park provides 600 acres of meadows and forests on the city's east side, with views of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams on clear days

Dining and Drink

Portland's food scene has earned national and international recognition for good reason. The city is home to James Beard Award-winning restaurants, a thriving food cart culture with hundreds of carts across the metro, and a deep commitment to local sourcing and seasonal cooking. Neighborhoods like Hawthorne, Division, Alberta, and Mississippi are lined with independently owned restaurants, bakeries, and coffee roasters.

Portland's craft beverage scene is equally impressive. The city has more craft breweries per capita than almost any other American city, and its coffee roasters, distilleries, natural wine bars, and even a sake brewery (SakeOne, just outside the city in Forest Grove) round out the drinking options.

Local Tip: Don't overlook the food carts. Portland's food cart pods are where many of the city's best chefs got their start, and some of the most exciting cooking in the city still happens in these small kitchens on wheels.

Schools and Family Life

Portland is served by seven school districts, including Portland Public Schools, the largest in the state. Families will find a full range of options from well-regarded public schools to private and charter schools throughout the metro. Neighborhoods like Laurelhurst, Sellwood-Moreland, Eastmoreland, and the Southwest Hills are particularly popular with families, thanks to strong schools, safe streets, and easy access to parks and playgrounds. Close-by higher education institutions include the University of Portland, Portland State University, Reed College, and Lewis & Clark College, each with an ever-changing calendar of events from speaker series to concerts and art exhibits.

Commute and Access

Portland's TriMet system provides public transit throughout the metro, including MAX light rail lines connecting downtown to the airport, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, and beyond. The city's extensive network of bike lanes and paths has made it one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. A mere 15-minute drive from downtown puts you in the heart of the tech corridor along Highway 26, where major employers like Intel, Nike, and Columbia Sportswear are headquartered. Portland International Airport (PDX), consistently rated one of the best airports in the country, sits just 20 minutes from downtown.

Portland offers the flexibility of a full array of lifestyle options, from high-rise urban living to quiet, wooded neighborhoods with acreage and views, all within a single city. To find out how to make Portland your new home, call or email us today for the latest available listings.

To find out how to make Portland your new home, call or email us today for the latest available listings.