The 12 Best Neighborhoods in Portland for Renters

The City of Roses, Portland, is a city of natural beauty, peppered with stunning gardens and green spaces. Interestingly, Portland’s known to have over 90 neighborhoods and it’s these areas, their people, and their diverse businesses that bring out its true nature! Alberta District offers art in various forms while Laurelhurst offers breathtaking architecture. Finally, Albina offers a mind-blowing history of African American culture! Let us share information on some of the best neighborhoods in Portland for your benefit.

Complete guide to the 12 best Portland neighborhoods:

1. Laurelhurst

With a history that goes back to the early 20th century (1909, to be exact), Laurelhurst is a high-end, one of the safest neighborhoods in Portland with beautiful classic homes in several architectural styles such as Bungalow and English Tudor. You’ll also find small apartment complexes, mid-rise buildings, and converted homes here owned by many successful landlords.

The community encompasses the sprawling Laurelhurst Park. Its highlights include a soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts, two tennis courts, a pond, a playground, a wading pool, picnic tables, and walking trails! In other words, kids and youngsters can have a ball here, and everyone is welcome to stroll or bike around.

You can spend some time feeding the ducks too. People look out for each other, and everything you need is close by, including eateries, boutiques, and movie theaters. Home tours are pretty standard here, not to mention sought-after. Residents don’t shy away from flaunting their homes or expressing pride in their neighborhood.

Places worth your while include the Laurelhurst Theater, where you can watch a new or old movie. If you feel like listening to music across genres, head over to Music Millennium, a popular music store. Laurelhurst Market offers fresh cuts you must try for lunch or dinner!

In a word, the community scores high on walkability, so you can reach places without relying on public transit.

2. St. Johns

St. Johns is a pretty old neighborhood in North Portland situated across from a humongous steel and concrete bridge built in the Gothic style. The vibes here are akin to that of a small town. The area was a manufacturing site many years ago, but it has undergone massive changes and houses excellent residential buildings and new businesses.

In addition, you’ll discover fancy eateries and coffee shops that follow more traditional methods of coffee making, so try them out! It’s a pretty relaxed neighborhood with many green spaces for those who want to spend time with nature. The community is ideal for families. At the same time, city youngsters and artists also look for a rental home in Portland here, thanks to its hipster culture.

Shopaholics can drop by the numerous clothing, gift, and antique stores and pick up things for themselves and their loved ones. There are several movie theaters for cinephiles who prefer watching movies with unconventional storylines and options for shopping and dining.

One of the greenest neighborhoods around, there are wetlands and forests galore not very far from the area, so if you have an outdoor streak in you, make sure you explore these places. For instance, you can visit the Bybee Natural Wetlands Area and check out the wildlife there. Forest Park is another green space close to the famed St. Johns bridge.

Cathedral Park is perfect for picnics and get-togethers, while for a host of outdoor activities, head over to Sauvie Island. Since St.Johns was once identified as a city, it has a separate downtown area.

In the end, the neighborhood is walkable and bikeable. You can explore the vintage shops and businesses here and make a day of it!

3. The Pearl District

The Pearl District is a premier neighborhood with condominiums, lofts, and apartments. High-rise luxurious apartments also find a home here. Earlier an industrial and railyard area, renovated warehouses now serve as restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Regardless of what you may be looking for, whether it’s bars, eateries, cafes, or art galleries, the Pearl has it all! Dotted with real estate, finance, and advertising firms, this is an ideal place for young professionals to search for a roommate in Portland. It’s amongst the safest neighborhoods in Portland for families too.

Merchandise from a range of national, international, and local brands is available in the area. Explore MadeHere PDX, a gift store where you’ll find locally-manufactured items comprising food, clothing, and many other things. Among other places, Lizard Lounge is unique because it sells branded clothes and offers live music and ping pong for customers to enjoy. Before we forget, the community also has a fantastic nightlife scene, just in case you’re interested. You will enjoy living with roommates here.

Are you a bookworm? Drop by Powell’s City of Books, spread over a complete city block and the world’s most extensive independent bookstore! Plenty of food and drinking options make this a famous place. You’ll find many craft beer breweries around, such as Deschutes and 10 Barrel, which are right next to each other (well, almost)! Drop by some of its notable restaurants, such as Andina, Republica, and Nola Doughnuts. For sushi and sashimi lovers, there’s Yama Sushi & Sake Bar!

The area’s known for its art scene. Explore the numerous art galleries here if art fascinates you. Interestingly, the neighborhood’s known for First Thursday in the Pearl, a monthly event displaying the work of local artists while the audience feasts on mouthwatering food and listens to band music! Should you want to catch plays, visit the Portland Center Stage at the Armory. The community runs many street festivals and events, so you’ll never have to feel bored.

Finally, the neighborhood is walkable and bikeable. People prefer walking and biking to cars!

4. Alberta Arts District

As the name indicates, the Alberta Arts District is art-oriented and houses numerous art galleries. You’ll find beautiful street art on many of the area’s structures. It also runs the offbeat street fair called “Last Thursday” every month.

Food trucks with assorted dishes, live music, and exemplary artwork are the draws of the event! Residents mainly comprise families and homeowners, but you’ll find youngsters too. The area offers services such as co-op grocery stores and has a plethora of small businesses to benefit its residents. A really great place to chill with your perfect roommate and your friends.

Head over to NE Alberta Street, the hub of all the action, and have the time of your life! In the mood for locally-roasted coffee? Drop by Case Study, a cafe, and try the coffee there. As far as food options go, you’ll discover several restaurants, bars, and food carts in the vicinity. The place is notable for its locally-produced items, so pick up souvenirs for your family and friends while you’re there.

If you need places to see on weekends, there’s Caravan, a boutique hotel made up of little houses. Promising artists showcase their work in Antler and the Alberta Street Gallery, so pop by if you like. The community fosters art and artists through places such as the Flight 64 Studio. The venue provides the wherewithal artists need for their detailed work.

5. Downtown Portland

Downtown Portland is the city’s center, with thriving businesses and numerous skyscrapers. It’s a slightly pricey residential neighborhood. Residents can easily reach different parts of the city, thanks to its prime location. There are multiple high-rise condos and apartments here. As the rental prices are very high in this area, you can list your rental property here to earn maximum rental income.

Downtown isn’t all about work. In fact, there are several opportunities for entertainment. Check out the shows at theaters or visit art galleries in the area, even if it’s just to kill time. Shop at Pioneer Place, a mall, or explore the local stores and shop till you drop! The best part about the locale is that everything is pretty much next door.

Should you feel hungry, you’ll get to choose from among the many classy restaurants and the more humble food trucks, so you might have difficulty deciding what to eat! Popular eateries include the Alder food cart pod, spread over multiple city blocks. Try the food at Whole Bowl or the Vietnamese cuisine at Luc Luc.

Among its must-see places, there’s the Portland Art Museum. Explore Pioneer Square, an enormous public space and be a part of several events. You could also check out the Pioneer Courthouse, a famed landmark, and the Portland Ballet, a dance company.

For those who love nature, you have Washington Park and its numerous trails for walking. Last but not least, there’s Tom McCall Park, known for its lawns, cherry blossom trees, and stunning vistas of the Willamette River.

In summary, it’s easy to navigate the area on foot or by bike. Alternatives include buses and trains run by Tri-Met, the primary public transportation system of Portland.

6. Nob Hill

Nob Hill, or the Northwest District, is an affluent neighborhood and number two in line among the best areas in the city. There are several stunning Victorian single-family homes here, besides stylish apartment complexes and high-rise apartments with a ton of perks. Nob Hill also happens to be among the oldest communities in the city.

Residents comprise families primarily. But you’ll also find millennials making a beeline for the area, thanks to its fantastic food, environment, and hipster influence. In other words, the neighborhood is home to a world of elegant dining and shopping options. Lucky residents, don’t you think?

Fancy boutiques, shops, bars, cafes, and eateries can be found on NW 23rd and 21st Avenues. Restaurants worth mentioning include 23 Hoyt, specializing in dishes that include beer as a crucial ingredient, such as beer-braised beef cheeks. Interested in hand-made pasta? Head over to Caffe Mingo!

The neighborhood houses the Portland campus of Linfield University, a reputed private university in McMinnville, another city. Overall, it’s a walkable neighborhood, so you get to save the commute time.

7. Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights is a picturesque family-oriented neighborhood located in the Tualatin Mountain Range. The best part about living here is you get to experience some of the most spectacular views of the neighborhoods in the city, although it might be a bit upscale.

You’ll find a combination of the old and the contemporary here. In other words, you get to see English Tudors, Victorian cottages, ranch and present-day homes too.

Numerous well-known parks pepper the area, so it’s the ideal place for outdoorsy folks. Take time to visit the International Rose Test Garden and the Hoyt Arboretum, significant parts of the renowned Washington Park. The first is a rose garden, while the arboretum comprises a botanical garden, nature education center, conservation center, and tree museum! Finally, if you run out of things to do, walk downtown.

8. Sellwood - Moreland

Sellwood - Moreland is perfect for families and has a top-notch school system. For those who wish to experience a mix of urban and suburban lifestyles, you’re welcome to call the community your home. The icing on the cake is the city-like perks. In addition, it’s affordable compared to many other neighborhoods and a great place to find a room for rent in Portland.

While you’re there, you should visit the Oaks Amusement Park, which is more than a hundred years old and the rides are equally old but fun! There’s also a skating rink and plenty of cotton candy, which adds to the joyful experience! Foodies can check out the many food carts or head over to Gino’s for a range of Italian dishes and wine!

The public transportation options here are great, so traveling downtown is a cakewalk. To sum up, Sellwood - Moreland is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.

9. South Waterfront

South Waterfront was an industrial area at one point, although it’s now transformed into an upscale neighborhood. After its revival, the neighborhood houses numerous high-rise and stylish apartment buildings.

Along the riverfront, you have well-maintained lawns, walking trails, and a whole lot of nature! It’s among the most extensive urban redevelopment areas in America. The aim is to convert the community into the city’s commercial center that rivals Manhattan or downtown LA!

Among its many excellent restaurants, you can dine at Al Hawr should you be interested in Lebanese cuisine and Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen for delectable Vietnamese food. You’ll also encounter several businesses, such as grocery stores, gyms, salons, doctor’s clinics, farmer’s markets, and so on, much to the delight of the residents!

In summary, the neighborhood is walkable and bikeable, with many public transit options to travel anywhere in the city. A well-known landmark that serves such a purpose is the Tilikum Crossing bridge.

10. Old Town - Chinatown

Old Town - Chinatown is a high-end neighborhood with a blend of nightclubs, drag burlesque shows, and workspaces. The place is also well-known for its cocktail bars and dance clubs.

If you’re looking for things to do, stroll through the Lan Su Chinese Garden and spend some alone time with your thoughts. The Portland Saturday Market is a great place to visit if you’re into arts and crafts. Try out Voodoo Doughnuts, a popular eatery, while you’re in the area.

In conclusion, the downside to the place is that the community’s bridges can cause many traffic issues when they go up because they eventually drop you at Interstate Five.

11. Goose Hollow

The neighborhood has a history that goes back to the mid-19th century and is lined with old-world townhouses and present-day condominiums, in addition to apartments and single-family homes. It is amongst the best Portland neighborhoods when considered for couples, singles, and families.

Portland Timbers, which has hosted many games for the soccer team, Portland Timbers, is in the neighborhood. Community theater is at its best at the Artists Repertory Theater, so you can drop by if theater intrigues you. Sports lovers can head over to Cheerful Bullpen, a bar, and watch games while hogging on wings and drinking beer.

Need more drinking options? Kingston Sports Bar & Grill is another place you could check out. You also have an excellent range of food options, such as Gilda’s Italian Restaurant and the Oregon Culinary Institute Restaurant.

Looking for some nature therapy? Walk uphill to Washington Park, which houses the Oregon Zoo, the International Rose Test Garden, and the Japanese Garden. You won’t be disappointed!

12. Buckman

In Buckman, residents are pretty open-minded, so you can be yourself here without inhibitions! You’ll find old apartment complexes and present-day high-rise apartments too. Families and young professionals will find new apartment buildings they prefer for comfortable living.

There are options galore for food, shopping, and nightlife here, not to mention vinyl record stores and vintage clothing shops. Check out Hawthorne Boulevard for all your shopping needs!

Buckman is renowned for craft beer. While you’re in the area, pop by the Natian Brewery and Hair of the Dog for some amazing craft beer. Or if you’d like to try out lager, a different kind of beer, visit the Base Camp Brewing Co. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about food!

There are several outdoor food carts where you can have your fill of delicious dishes. As a matter of fact, the community is a magnet for food lovers. Besides food carts, you’ll discover a gamut of restaurants serving a world of cuisines, coffee roasters, and trendy bars.

The neighborhood has its share of natural beauty too. It has a beautiful community garden. Then there’s Colonel Summers Park, which includes walking trails, sports courts, and a picnic place for visitors.

Conclusion

So, how do you feel about moving to Portland? With notable neighborhoods that give you a blend of the old and the new to choose from and a burgeoning economy with plentiful job opportunities, this is the city you should be in. While we hope that the information here is useful, it might be wise to visit the city in person and experience the sights and sounds. Visit the parks, drink at a bar, dine at restaurants, and observe those around you. Based on how you feel about the whole experience, you can make an informed decision.