focus of urban renewal since condos started
popping up around the 2006 housing bubble.
Tilikum Crossing, a pedestrian, cyclist, and
public transportation only bridge, connects
the Southwest Waterfront to the Southeast.
Walkers and bikers can enjoy the freedom
of crossing without the congestion of cars.
On sunny days, you’ll find this bridge
full of families, tourists, and locals alike,
enjoying the view of the Willamette River
and the city.
For those looking to escape the skyscrapers,
Multnomah Village is a quaint neighborhood with a small town feel. Its proximity to
downtown, paired with its cozy, community
vibe make Multnomah a popular place for
young families.
Residents all over Portland come to Multnomah to enjoy its quieter streets lined with
local, small businesses.
Regardless of whether you decide to call
Multnomah Village home, you’ll want to
come visit during the holiday season when
the center of the neighborhood feels like a
festive stroll back to simpler times.
Just outside of the Southwest city limits lies
Dunthorpe — an affluent suburb and home
to the Elk Rock Gardens of the Bishop’s
Close. These six acres of cultivated gardens,
designed by the firm that’s responsible for
Central Park in New York City are a popular
attraction in the area.
The further Southwest you go in this sector
of the city, the more space and residential
PORTLAND NEIGHBORHOODS
FOR FAMILIES WITH KIDS OR PETS: SELLWOOD/MORELAND
Sellwood/Moreland, though still close to the city center, is a
more relaxed, residential neighborhood. It’s ideal for anyone
looking for a mix of walkable and family-friendly. With a post
office, grocery store, and several banks in the area, residents
can take care of most errands on foot.
You’ll find no shortage of restaurants and coffee shops either.
Sellwood even has a small food cart hub on 13th Avenue.
Families with kids make good use of the neighborhood’s large
park, pool, and public library.
OLD PORTLAND HISTORY AND NIGHTLIFE: OLD TOWN
CHINATOWN
Old Town is the second most walkable neighborhood in
Portland according to Walk Score. You can even go on an
underground walking tour where you’ll learn several terrifying
facts about Portland’s rough history.
The neighborhood also has active nightlife. It is peppered with
small concert halls and nightclubs. If that’s not your cup of tea,
you’ll also find a retro supper club with nightly live jazz music.
BOUTIQUE SHOPPING: ALPHABET DISTRICT
The Alphabet District (also known as Northwest Portland) has a
densely populated shopping hub. NW 23rd Avenue is lined with
small boutiques in old Victorian houses, though you’ll also find
plenty of bigger establishments as well.
When your feet need a rest between stores, respite is not far off.
The neighborhood also has more than 300 restaurants, bars,
and coffee shops.
FOR PEOPLE WITH NO PLAN: DOWNTOWN
The city’s highly walkable downtown area has it all. Everything
is so tightly packed, it’s easy to see a lot just by exploring. If
you run out of ideas, the Portland Art Museum is less than a
five-minute walk from Pioneer Square.
If it’s food you crave, you’ll find more than 500 restaurants,
bars and coffee shops in Downtown. And the streets around
Portland State University offer plenty of sweet and savory food
cart options.
These six walkable Portland neighborhoods make it easy to run
your daily errands or spend a weekend exploring. For Portland
newcomers and long-time residents alike, the sidewalks await.
If you are interested in buying a home in any of these
neighborhoods, contact Columbia Redevelopment at colum-biaredevelopment.com. And, to learn more about walkable
neighborhoods, visit www.walkscore.com.
