I'm looking for a neighborhood in Portland (Oregon) that has a real sense of community-you can walk out your

Question

front door and there is a sense of small town like neighborhood with small shops, restaurants within walking distance. And not expensive. Is there anywhere like that? And what is downtown like?

Answer 1

The old downtown area of Gresham.
Or go up a bit towards Mt Hood to Sandy! It's still close in, but has its own charm, and is far enough not to feel "cityish", but you can get to downtown in 20 minutes.

Answer 2

There are many places in Portland where you walk out your door and feel a sense of community. In fact, almost all of Portland feels that way, even downtown. The areas with the greatest sense of community that have some sort of affordable housing and convenient access to public transportation include:
-Hawthorne (SE)
-Alberta (NE)
-Hollywood (NE)
-Mississippi (N)
-Pearl District/Brewery Blocks (NW) most expensive, but most hip and convenient to downtown
-Multnomah Village (SW)

Portland is what you make of it...if you're creative, you can get into an affordable place in most any area. You can also spend more money to get the best location and quality. Downtown is generally reserved for lower-income and university students. Otherwise, the new developments in the Pearl and Brewery Blocsk are some of the most expensive areas in town.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

The Hawthorne area is really becomming a new yuppie area....As for the rent, I dont know. Like everything else it's rising. However, there are shops, resturnats tons of cafes and pubs, banks bus routs and literally mins from downtown portland with out being there...

Answer 4

One of many areas that come to mind is the Rock Creek/Tanasbourne neighborhood in NW Portland.