5 Neighborhoods to Retire to in Portland, Oregon

What are the best neighborhoods to retire to in Portland, Oregon? In my experience, many people who are retiring choose Portland in part because they want to be close to their grandchildren. Portland is also the most affordable West Coast city.

In this blog post, you’ll find the top 5 Portland neighborhoods to retire to along with an example of an affordable home option and a more high-end home option. 

1. Pearl District

As of 2019, the median home price in Portland’s Pearl District was at $525,000. The Pearl District offers all the benefits of living in Portland’s downtown, and this offers the potential for car-free living. You’re right on the trolley line and close to the MAX Light Rail. And during non-COVID times, you can go to shows, restaurants, hang out in coffee shops, visit loads of art galleries and much more. You really don’t even have to leave the neighborhood—everything you need is right there! 

Pearl District Condo – Sold for $403,000

Lauren just sold this home to someone who wanted to be close to their kid!

Listed by Mari Connolly with Windermere Realty Trust / SOLD BY Lauren Goché of Think Real Estate

Pearl District Condo – Sold for $1,195,000

Listed by Erin Rothrock and Jonathan Kettering • Hasson Company


2. South Waterfront

Portland’s South Waterfront is known for having cool condos and views. Condos = easy, low-maintenance living! As of 2019, South Waterfront’s median home price was $457,750. Technically this area is South Portland, but locals call it South Waterfront. It’s a very new area, and everything here has been built in less than the last 10 years (maybe even in the last 5 years). Many people like being able to move into something brand new (or almost new), and there’s tons to do in this Portland neighborhood. You’re right on the river and there’s a scenic river walk path, and it’s easy to stay active whether you enjoy walking, biking, paddle boarding (there are some cool launch places), etc. South Waterfront is super walkable, and you can stroll to restaurants, coffee shops, and there are a couple small grocery stores. You’re also at the foot of OSHU where you can access world-class medical services. 

South Waterfront Condo – Sold for $719,000

Listed by Suzanne Page • Meadows Group Inc., Realtors

South Waterfront Condo – Sold for $284,500

Listed by Listed by Teresa Sales • John L. Scott Market Center


3. Concordia

Portland’s Concordia neighborhood had a median home price of $515,000 in 2019. This neighborhood is reasonably central, walkable, and it’s an easy, straight shot to the airport so you can hop on a plane to go visit the grandkids or vacation. Concordia is probably not the first neighborhood most locals would think of when they hear the word “retirement” but I think it would actually be perfect. If I were to retire right now, I’d want to retire in Concordia! There are lots of single-family houses to choose from, and many one-levels. Price points are in that middle range where it’s not super expensive, but not super cheap. 

Concordia Home – Sold for $557,000

Listed by Lee McKnight with Hasson Company, Realtors


4. Hazelwood 

In 2019, the median home sale price in Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood was at $320,000. The Hazelwood neighborhood is home to lots of lovely one-level ranch-style homes, and it’s considered to be an affordable Portland neighborhood. Hazelwood is very close to the Glendevere Golf Course, but you don’t have to play golf to enjoy this scenic local amenity. There is a great walking path around the course that’s perfect for getting your steps in for the day. It’s also right on the MAX Blue line and close to the 84 and 205. 

Here are a couple of great examples of homes you can buy in the Hazelwood neighborhood: 

Hazelwood Home – Sold for $325,000

Listed by Anthony Stroud with Windermere Community Realty

Hazelwood Home – Sold for $315,000

Listed by Jeanne Paul with Windermere Realty Trust


5. Milwaukee

So, the Milwaukee neighborhood is technically not Portland, but this neighborhood is perfect for retirement. According to Redfin, the median sale price in Milwaukee was $440,500 in 2019. The Milwaukee neighborhood is great for people who want to have a house with a larger yard that they can putter around in while enjoying peace and quiet. There are many larger lots here and most homes are built between the 1950s and 80s and have practical layouts. There are many daylight ranches with plenty of space downstairs for when family comes to visit! 

Milwaukee Home – Sold for $480,000

Listed by Heather Paris with Paris Group Realty LLC

What You Need to Know About Moving from Brooklyn to Portland

Many New Yorkers are asking themselves this question, especially lately. Even before COVID-19, people were leaving New York City in search of homes with more square footage, a yard, and a lower cost of living. 

Portland is the most affordable West Coast city, and in my experience, people from Brooklyn are especially drawn to Portland. Brooklyn and Portland have a comparable vibe in many ways, and you can find the things that you love about Brooklyn in Portland. 

People in Brooklyn usually love to be in the middle of it all, and you can have that same city vibe in many of Portland’s neighborhoods as well. Below, I’ve highlighted the 2 Portland quadrants that are most comparable to living in Brooklyn. These Portland neighborhoods not only offer the homes and yards that Brooklynites crave, but there are destination restaurants, hip bars, rad indie coffee shops, grocery stores, trendy boutiques, and huge parks all easily within reach. 

Now, before we show off Portland’s affordable real estate, keep in mind that at the end of September 2020, Brooklyn’s median sale price was at $835,000. At the end of September 2020, Portland’s median home price was at  $451,000.

Southeast 

Colonial Heights Home – Sold for $825,000

This home is in Portland’s Colonial Heights neighborhood and kind of in the middle of it all. It’s equidistant between cool businesses in both Hawthorne and Division so you have easy access to the city amenities you love, but you’re also in a neighborhood filled with greenspace. I could imagine my clients from Brooklyn loving this home!

Listed by Jennifer Turner with Lovejoy Real Estate


Northeast

Irvington Home – Sold for $825,995

This home is in Portland’s Irvington neighborhood, and this community is super close in, historic, tree-lined and filled with greenery, close to a cool park, and close to a bunch of stuff on Broadway. There’s lots of cool big old homes here and you can definitely find a home with a yard!

Listed by Nicholas Cook with Rise Realty, Inc

What You Need to Know About Moving from the San Francisco Bay Area to Portland

People are leaving the San Francisco Bay Area because they simply cannot afford to live there anymore. Even people with incredibly well paying jobs in the tech industry, for example, are struggling to find an affordable place to live that makes sense. And with changing needs due to COVID-19, many would-be San Francisco residents are looking elsewhere. Suddenly, the thought of moving becomes more feasible due to so many more tech jobs (which is why many people live in San Francisco in the first place) moving to remote work. 

Portland is the most affordable West Coast city, and the money you’d need to spend to buy a decent home in San Francisco goes so much further in Portland. 

At the end of September 2020, Portland’s median home price was at  $451,000.

In the Bay Area, here are the recent median price points: 

  • San Francisco – $1.6 million in September 2020
  • Berkeley – $1.4 million in September 2020 
  • San Jose – $1.2 million in September 2020 
  • Oakland – $1 million Q3 2020 

For a little more context, the median price point in September 2020 for a 2-bedroom in condo in San Francisco is $1.35 million. For a studio, the median was at $850,000. 

I see a lot of people buying in Portland who are not only feeling priced out of their cities (especially Seattle), but intimidated by the fact that they would need to get a jumbo loan to afford a house. Jumbo loans are more common in San Francisco and people aren’t typically as intimidated by them, but it’s still something to consider. 

Portland’s conforming loan number is $510,400. So anything listed above that means you need to have cash in hand (or do a jumbo loan). 

In Alameda County (which includes Oakland and Berkeley), the conforming loan limit is $765,000. And for the County of San Francisco (which is where San Francisco is located), the conforming loan limit is also $765,000. 


Portland is divided into 5 quadrants (I know, it doesn’t make sense…). In this post, I’m going to show you a home that is representative of each of the 5 quadrants. All of these are single-family homes that sold quickly and they’re all rad!

North Portland – Boise Neighborhood

Boise Neighborhood Home – Sold for $1,050,000

Listed by Bought with Kirt Dye • John L. Scott


Northeast Quadrant

Alameda Neighborhood Home – Sold for $1,370,000

Listed by Theresa deSousa with Jma Properties Llc

Sabin Neighborhood Home – Sold for $899,500

Listed by Jeff Capen with Keller Williams-PDX Central

 


Southeast Quadrant

Ladd’s Addition Neighborhood Home – Sold for $1,217,500

Listed by Shellee McCullick with Keller Williams Realty Profes.

 

Eastmorland Neighborhood Home – Sold for $855,500

Listed by Joan Rogers with Windermere Realty Trust

 


Northwest Quadrant – Bonny Slope Neighborhood

Bonny Slope Neighborhood Home – Sold for $1,355,000

Listed by Marilyn Brown Whitaker with Where, Inc


Southwest Quadrant – Bridlemile Neighborhood

Bridlemile Neighborhood Home – Sold for $1,395,000

Listed by Betsy Rickles with Windermere Realty Trust

What You Need to Know About Moving from Seattle to Portland

Many people who are being priced out of Seattle are turning to Portland for greener pastures. Seattle’s median home price at the end of September 2020 was at $773,508, and Portland’s median home price was at $451,000.

Portland is the most affordable West Coast city, hands down. 

Obviously, $773,508 vs. $451,000 is a huge difference, and your money can go so much further in Portland. Plus, many people who start the home buying process in Seattle are shocked when they started getting serious about looking at loans. 

Portland’s conforming number is $510,400. So anything listed above that means you need to have cash in hand (or do a jumbo loan). The thing that is important to know is that in King County (where Seattle is located), Pierce County, and Snohomish County, the conforming loan limit is $741,750 in 2020. So anything over this amount, you have to have in cash (or again, do a jumbo loan). 

Let’s say you have $300,000 in cash in Seattle. You can get a $1 million house with a conventional/conforming loan. (And if you have $300,000 in cash in Portland, you can get a $800,000 house with a conforming loan. If you have $200,000 in Portland, it = a $710,000 home.) 

Long story short: If you’re coming from Seattle, you have more buying power in Portland. 

Not only that, but Portland offers many of the same things that Seattle does. Think about why people love Seattle. They love the close proximity to the outdoors, they love the great foodie scene, they love access to a booming tech scene, and many people love to travel and have easy access to an international airport. Portland has all of this, too, and you can have access for a LOT less money. Especially with more and more companies switching to remote work, this opens up your potential for what city you’re going to live in a whole lot more. 

People who have tried to buy a decent house in Seattle for $500,000 know that this just isn’t going to happen. Maybe you can find something in a neighboring suburb that needs some fixing up. In Portland, you can buy a rad home for $500,000.

A $500,000 budget in Portland is amazing! 

Here are a couple of homes in Portland that show examples of what you can buy at Portland’s median price point and at Seattle’s median price point: 

Northeast Portland Home – Sold for $450,000

This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home is a solid example of what you can buy for $450,000 (Portland’s September 2020 median price point) in Portland, Oregon.

Listed by Christopher Butterfield with Del Rey Realty Llc


Alameda Home – Sold for $805,000

This historic 4-bedroom, 2-bath home is in Portland’s Alameda neighborhood, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. This is a great example of what you can buy at this price point in Portland (and remember that Seattle’s September 2020 median home price was at $817,000).

Listed by Jeanne Paul with Windermere Realty Trust

The 5 Best Portland Neighborhoods for Nike Employees

Nike’s headquarters are in Beaverton, which is a city that is 7 miles west of Portland. According to this 2020 list of the biggest companies in Oregon, Nike is at #1 with 73,100 employees. Nike is a BIG deal here. The Portland area (which for our purposes include Beaverton) is also known for being home to many other outdoor clothing and sportswear brands as well, including companies like Adidas. So if you work for any of these companies, you may very well find yourself making the move to Portland! 

In my experience, people who work for Nike are very trend-oriented and design-driven. They want to live in the heart of it all, which means they want to live in a hip Portland neighborhood. They also want to live in Beaverton, which is a suburb of Portland and has a much different feel. Beaverton is straight up suburbia, and many people love it in part because they have families and want to live in that type of setting. Beaverton is also home to a Microsoft location, Tektronix, and other worldwide corporations have their HQs here as well. 

In this post I’m going to show you the best 5 Portland neighborhoods to live in if you’re a Nike employee. All of the homes featured below are examples of what you can get in each neighborhood for around Portland’s median home price, which at the end of September 2020 was at $451,000.

I’m also going to include commute times from the addresses of the homes we’re featuring to Nike’s World Headquarters using different modes of transportation. 

1. St. Johns

We’re going to start this list off with a bit of a curveball. Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood is the only neighborhood in this list that is east of the Willamette River. As of 2019, Portland’s St. John’s neighborhood’s median home price point was at $365,500. 

St. Johns Home – Sold for $463,000

Commuting from this St. Johns home to Nike Worldwide Headquarters = 23-minute drive

Listed by Melissa Dorman with Living Room Realty


2. Garden Home 

Garden Home is mostly unincorporated Portland, even though it has a Portland address. People like living here in part for tax reasons, and here you’ll find a cool mix of old farmhouses and midcentury homes. (There are also rumors of a Trader Joe’s coming to Garden Home…?! This would be huge.) 

Garden Home Residence – Sold for $461,400

Commuting times from this Garden Home residence to Nike Worldwide Headquarters:

  • 12-minute drive
  • 55-minute bus ride

Listed by Jim Arnal with Living Room Realty


3. Multnomah Village

Multnomah Village is kind of in between Portland and Beaverton. This cute area has an actual business district which many people find charming, and you can pop in and out of shops, restaurants, stop by the farmers market, visit food carts, coffee shops, and it just has a very good community feel to it. 

Multnomah Village Home – Sold for $468,000

Commuting times from this Multnomah Village home to Nike Worldwide Headquarters:

  • 14-minute drive
  • 66-minute ride on MAX Blue Line

Listed by Yascha Noonberg with Living Room Realty


4. Cedar Hills Neighborhood in Beaverton 

Ok, so this neighborhood obviously isn’t in Portland, but this is a great neighborhood for Nike employees and it is super close to Nike’s HQ. There are a lot of midcentury homes and ranch homes in Cedar Hills, and there is also the Cedar Hills Crossing mall here which offers lots of great “one stop shopping” but also is surrounded by dining, grocery stores, entertainment, etc. 

Cedar Hills Home – Sold for $460,000

Commuting times from this Cedar Hills home to Nike Worldwide Headquarters:

  • 5-minute drive
  • 17-minute bus ride

Listed by Murooj Alshawy with Keller Williams-PDX Central


5. Pearl District 

The Pearl District is right in the middle of Downtown Portland, and this is where you want to live if you’re seeking out that quintessential Portland city vibe. As of 2019, the median home price in Portland’s Pearl District was at $525,000. 

Pearl District Home – Sold for $403,000

Commuting times from this Pearl District home to Nike Worldwide Headquarters:

  • 16-minute drive
  • 49-minute bus ride

Listed by Mari Connolly with Windermere Realty Trust / SOLD BY Lauren Goché of Think Real Estate

Want a Water View in Portland? Here Are the 5 Neighborhoods You Need To Know About

Water views are really hard to come by in Portland even though our city is nestled just south of the Columbia River and the Willamette River runs right through the city. 

There are lots of views in Portland in general—views of Mt. Hood, the city, the outdoors. But water views are much harder to find. 

Where are the best Portland neighborhoods to live in if you want a view of the water? Many of these neighborhoods will give you a view, but it might be a peekaboo view. With that in mind, here are the 5 neighborhoods you need to know about:

1. Overlook

This Portland neighborhood is aptly named as it quite literally overlooks the Willamette River. As of 2019, the median price point in Portland’s Overlook neighborhood was at $472,000. 

Overlook Home – Sold for $635,000

Listed by Deb Kemp with The Agency, Inc


2. Sellwood-Moreland

Sellwood-Moreland Home – Sold for $833,470

Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood had a median price point of $510,000 at the end of 2019. This neighborhood is situated right along the Willamette River. 

Listed by Kathy Quick with Quick & Associates Real Estate


3. Hillside

In 2019, Portland’s Hillside neighborhood had a median price point of $800,000. 

Hillside Home – Sold for $910,000

Listed by Steve Nassar with Premiere Property Group, LLC


4. South Waterfront 

As of 2019, South Waterfront’s median home price was $457,750. This neighborhood has all newer construction, with all of it being built in the last 5-10 years. 

South Waterfront Home – Sold for $719,000

Listed by Listed by Suzanne Page • Meadows Group Inc., Realtors


5. Cathedral Park 

The median price point for Cathedral Park was at $390,000. This Portland neighborhood is also located right along the banks of the Willamette River. 

Cathedral Park Home – Sold for $639,950

Listed by Thomas I Hall with Farrell Realty & Property Management

 

5 Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Portland

As of September 2020, the median home sale price in Portland was at $451,000. In this post, I’m sharing Portland’s 5 most expensive neighborhoods so you know where the fanciest houses are in our Pacific Northwest city! 

Keep in mind that determining what the “most expensive” neighborhoods are is somewhat subjective—of course, I used neighborhood median price points to inform these decisions, but Portland has A LOT of neighborhoods so this is certainly not a comprehensive list. (However this is an excellent place to get started!) 

As you spend more time exploring Portland’s many neighborhoods with homes at a higher price point, you’ll find that they all have a few things in common. Things like beautiful greenspace, larger lots, and historic homes are all common themes. You’ll also find that if you use any of the conventional school rating websites out there, these expensive neighborhoods will show up as having great Portland schools with high rankings. (However, whether or not a school is “good” is a big hot button issue—click here to read what I think about how to find a school in Portland.)

Also, all of the featured homes in this post were sold in 2020.

1. Hillside 

In 2019, the median home sale price in Portland’s Hillside neighborhood was at $800,000. The Hillside neighborhood is very exclusive and offers excellent views, yet it’s just up the hill from rad shops and amazing restaurants on 23rd. The Hillside neighborhood aptly named, and this east-facing neighborhood has the best chance of buying a home with views of Mt. Hood and the Willamette River. 

Here is an excellent example of a recently sold home in the Hillside neighborhood:

Hillside Home – Sold for $910,000

Listed by Steve Nassar with Premiere Property Group, LLC


2. Eastmoreland

In Portland’s Eastmoreland neighborhood, the 2019 median home sale price was $757,000. Eastmoreland is just an absolutely gorgeous neighborhood filled with greenspace, streets lined with huge trees, big beautiful estates, and historic homes. It’s pretty close to Reed College and there aren’t many straight streets in the neighborhood, so streets just kind of meander along here. Eastmoreland is the epitome of picturesque Portland beauty!  

Here is an excellent example of a recently sold home in the Eastmoreland neighborhood:

Eastmoreland Home – Sold for $1,095,000

Listed by Veronica Story with Keller Williams Realty Profes.


3. Arlington Heights

In Portland’s Arlington Heights neighborhood, the 2019 median home sale price was $757,000. Arlington Heights is literally surrounded by greenspace (not exaggerating here… look at the neighborhood on a map!), and this east-facing neighborhood is a truly stunning place to live. Here you’ll find the renowned Portland Japanese Garden, Washington Park, miles of scenic trails and more. You can feel like you’re lost in nature and removed, yet you’re still in the middle of the city and just up the road from all of the great amenities on 23rd. 

Here is an excellent example of a recently sold home in the Arlington Heights neighborhood:

Arlington Heights Home – Sold for $1,050,000

Listed by Shea Steel with RE/MAX Equity Group


4. Alameda 

In 2019, the median home sale price in Portland’s Alameda neighborhood was at $744,250. This neighborhood is up on Alameda Ridge and this west-facing community is ALL about the views! Searching for a home to buy in Alameda will give you a better chance of getting a great view, including views of Downtown Portland and the Willamette River. Alameda is also super close to the Beaumont-Wilshire business district, giving you great access to shops, restaurants, coffee shops and more. (Pip’s Original Doughnuts & Chai is my fave spot here.) 

This recently sold home represents quintessential Alameda; Tudor homes are what Alameda is all about!

Alameda Home – Sold for $1,275,000

Listed by C. Morgan Davis with Keller Williams-PDX Central


5. Laurelhurst

In Portland’s Laurelhurst neighborhood, the 2019 median home sale price was $725,500. Laurelhurst is in the middle of everything giving you an easy commute to things, yet you’re surrounded by picturesque greenery. Huge leafy trees, lots of historic homes, quick access to Laurelhurst Park, and tons of amazing restaurants are all part of Laurelhurst. Also, if you’re searching for a Colonial or Craftsman home, Laurelhurst is the neighborhood for you. 

Here is an excellent example of a recently sold home in the Laurelhurst neighborhood:

Laurelhurst Home – Sold for $1,544,000

Listed by Listed by Aimee Virnig Windermere Realty Trust

The 5 Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon

First thing’s first: As of September 2020, Portland’s median home sale price was at $451,000. In this post, I’ll be sharing the most affordable neighborhoods in Portland and where you can get a “deal” as well as examples of homes that sold in 2020. 

Keep in mind that a “deal” means something different to everyone, but for the purposes of this post we’re featuring neighborhoods with median home sale prices that are below Portland’s overall median price.

(Also! This is by no means a comprehensive list, but this is a fantastic place to get started!) 

1. Hazelwood 

In 2019, the median home sale price in Portland’s Hazelwood neighborhood was at $320,000. The Hazelwood neighborhood is home to lots of lovely one-level ranch-style homes, and one of this neighborhood’s big highlights is the easy access to Glendoveer Golf Course. You don’t even have to play golf to enjoy this local amenity—there is a beautiful path around the course that’s perfect for staying active and getting in your steps for the day.

The Hazelwood neighborhood also offers excellent access to Interstate-84 and Interstate-205, and the Light Rail’s MAX Blue Line runs right through the neighborhood. 

Here are a couple of great examples of recently sold homes in the Hazelwood neighborhood:

Hazelwood Home – Sold for $325,000

Listed by Anthony Stroud with Windermere Community Realty

 

Hazelwood Home – Sold for $315,000

Listed by Jeanne Paul with Windermere Realty Trust


2. Powellhurst-Gilbert

In 2019, the median home sale price in Portland’s Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood was at $300,000. In the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood you’ll find one-level ranches with garages, big yards, and there’s just lots of greenspace around in general! You’re also at the foot of Powell Butte, which has some seriously rad hikes and awesome views. 

Here are a couple of great examples of recently sold homes in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood:

Powellhurst-Gilbert Home – Sold for $330,000

Listed by David B Soulier with Keller Williams-PDX Central

 

Powellhurst-Gilbert Home – Sold for $309,000

Listed by Premiere Property Group, Llc


3. Sumner 

In Portland’s Sumner neighborhood, the 2019 median home sale price was $307,100. This neighborhood offers many great starter houses that are perfect for first-time homeowners. Homes in Sumner are on the smaller side, but most have decent sized yards with nice outdoor spaces. You also have a quick commute to the airport from the Sumner neighborhood, which is a big perk for those who have to fly a lot for work. 

Sumner Home – Sold for $375,000

This home was listed for $319,000 and sold for $375,000 (17% above list price) in only 3 days. This home represents a good example of the realities of our current real estate market here in Portland. 

Listed by Erin Middleton with Keller Williams-PDX Central

 

Sumner Home – Sold for $345,000

Listed by Heather Lamkins with Think Real Estate


4. Centennial

In Portland’s Centennial neighborhood, the 2019 median home sale price was $307,000. Centennial is also home to many awesome ranch houses, and it’s right at the base of Powell Butte giving you easy access to beautiful greenspace, hikes, and big views. 

Centennial is also on Light Rail’s MAX Blue Line which runs from Gresham all the way to Hillsboro, taking you through Downtown Portland and Beaverton. This makes the Centennial neighborhood an especially great option for those who need to commute for work. 

Here are a couple of great examples of recently sold homes in the Centennial neighborhood:

Centennial Home – Sold for $309,250

Listed by Michael Jacobson Windermere Realty Trust

 

Centennial Home – Sold for $315,000

Listed by Sharlene Giard with RE/MAX Neighbors


5. Mill Park

In Portland’s Mill Park neighborhood, the 2019 median home sale price was $308,500. In Mill Park you’ll find lots of one-level homes and just a bunch of solid ranch homes. Mill Park is filled with cute residential streets and because the streets curve their way through the neighborhood, it’s a fairly “slow” neighborhood as well. However, there is still easy access to local freeways, and you’re close to both Interstate-205 and I-84. 

Here are a couple of great examples of recently sold homes in the Mill Park neighborhood:

Mill Park Home – Sold for $331,000

Listed by Amy Anderson with Oregon Realty Co.

 

Mill Park Home – Sold for $345,500

Listed by Amanda Brown with Inhabit Real Estate Llc

How to Find a School in Portland (When You Know School Ratings Are Racist & Classist)

When people with kids (or people who are thinking about having kids) are searching for that perfect home in Portland, finding a neighborhood with “good schools” is usually high on their list. The thing is, schools + real estate have a fraught history in this country, and finding the “right” school and neighborhood is usually easier said than done. 

Get Educated 

First of all, if you’re moving to Portland and the schools are important to you, this article on Medium titled “The Problem with ‘“Great Schools’” by Ali McKay is required reading. 

To give you some quick background, Ali McKay’s Medium bio reads like this: “A white mom committed to integration, equity and anti-racism | Working to live my values | Parent Advisory Board at IntegratedSchools.org.” (If any of that resonates with you, then *definitely* take a few minutes to read what she has to say about schools.)

In the article, McKay describes her experience of learning more about choosing a school as a parent—her kids left their school (a school that was rated 7/10 on GreatSchools) for a school rated a 4 after touring the “4” school in person. McKay shares exactly why she made this decision, and why she believes that she and her family are better off for it. 

Your Values vs. Rating Sites Values 

When you’re choosing a school (and therefore likely choosing a neighborhood to live in), you need to figure out what you actually value in a school. Is academic rigor your #1 priority, or does a high priority on academic rigor actually stress your kid out? Is it important for your children to attend school with lots of different types of people from different backgrounds, or is that lower on your list of concerns? Does your kid have special needs, or learn better in smaller class sizes? Etc. 

Now, before we go much further, you need to know that I don’t have kids, so I don’t know exactly what it’s like to be a parent making this decision. I *do* know that each family needs to make the choice that’s best for them. 

I also know that a lot of people can become fixated on GreatSchools.org (and other school rating sites you may find in your searches) when they’re searching for a home. It’s important to know that these rating systems are deeply flawed (read: racist and classist); in my opinion, they should be taken with a grain of salt. 

The GreatSchools rating system is based on a scale of 1-10, 10 of course being the best. When you look at the interactive map by city or zip code, you’ll see a bunch of dots pop up with school ratings. Higher ratings are in green, lower ratings are in yellow/orange, and the lowest ratings are red. Of course, if you take the rating system at face value, the lower ratings are probably alarming to see if they’re in the neighborhood you’re thinking about buying in (also, the red color doesn’t help). 

Like McKay explains in her article, GreatSchools is mostly measuring test scores, but they’ve tried to make their system better over time. Still, this only includes a few basic considerations—you can read all about what goes into each of their ratings here

How Do You Find the Info You Need to Make the Right Decision? 

So what can be done? How do you *actually* find the “right” school for you and your family in Portland? 

Here are a few tips: 

Talk to parents with kids at the school in question. Your real estate agent can be a great resource here—ask them if they can connect you with people in their network who may have or had kids at the school in question. Ask the parents about their experiences there, ask about their kids personalities/learning styles/etc. and whether or not they were able to thrive in that environment, etc. 

Do your own research. Don’t just rely on heavily biased ratings sites to make this very important decision for you. Join local parent groups on Facebook, see if your city or neighborhood has a Reddit page you can ask questions on. Dig beyond GreatSchools.org! 

Visit schools in person. When’s the next school open house or school? Can you schedule a meeting with the principal or a teacher? Go in person and experience the school for yourself—walk through the halls, and see what’s happening for yourself. This can help you put together one more piece of the puzzle. 

And of course, take some time to educate yourself on our country’s history of redlining and how this has impacted everything from generational wealth to public schools. 


Have a question about buying a home in Portland? Reach out to your Portland neighborhood guide Lauren Goché here.

 

11 Small Arts Organizations Doing Incredible Work in Portland

Whether you’re new to town and want to get connected to some rad arts orgs or you’re a seasoned Portlander just looking to expand your artistic horizons, PDX is home to creative folks who are doing it ALL. 

Here’s a *short* list of just a few of the many small arts organizations you’ll find here in Portland as a place to get started. Check out each website to learn more, and check out their social accounts to see what they’re up to most recently! 

 

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Independent Publishing Resource Center

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This Portland nonprofit has big goals—IPRC is on a mission “to provide affordable access to space, tools, and resources for creating independently published media and artwork, and to build community and identity through the creation of written and visual art.” 

IPRC runs several different programs, including educational workshops related to publishing, year-long certificate programs in poetry, prose, comics, or art books, summer youth camps, and sooo much more. 


 

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Friends of Noise

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Friends of Noise makes it their mission to offer an all ages music and arts venue where people can get hands on training, enjoy live music, create their own promo content, etc… Basically, if it has to do with creating music and getting it out into the world, Friends of Noise is down to help! 

Follow them on social media for updates on happenings + concert notifications. 


 

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Hidden Opulence Design House

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This local biz is dedicated to sustainability and upcycling. Need a piece of clothing mended, repaired, altered, tailored, etc.? You don’t need to throw it out and buy something new—Hidden Opulence Design House can fix it for you. 

They also offer small batch production services (they prefer working with brands that value inclusivity + eco-friendliness), which is perfect for designers who are looking to test out production in an affordable, sustainably smart way.  


 

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The Printory

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If you need t-shirts printed or you wanna update your closet with clothes that show off cool design and positive messaging, check out The Printory. They offer screen printing + embroidery services AND every single order helps give back to local refugee and immigrant communities. 

This biz is SO much more than *just* a print shop—they’re super involved in the community and you can follow along with each new event they host on social media. 


 

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Milagro Theater

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Milagro Theater in Portland provides “extraordinary Latino theatre, culture, and arts education experiences for the enrichment of all communities.” Those are just the basics—this dynamic theater does so much for the community. 

The Milagro Theater building itself not only includes a 121-seat theater but also a rehearsal studio, a gallery, huge storage areas, a large community space, and even more. You can of course attend performances here, but there are more ways to get involved and participate as well—there are workshops and residencies, you can hire a performance to come to your school, you can intern, volunteer to help with a performance, etc. 


 

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Steps PDX 

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No matter your age or level of experience, if you want to dance, you can do it at Steps PDX. You can browse upcoming adult drop-in classes here, and there are also several class options for youth

Steps PDX offers much more than “just” dance classes, though—they also partner with local schools to provide after school dance programs, they help students attend the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference, and they provide scholarships to students as well.  


Rejoice Diaspora Dance

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“Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater seeks to diversify the contemporary dance landscape with untold stories and under-told perspectives from communities of color.” 

This extraordinary Portland-based contemporary dance ensemble views their art as activism, and they “confront themes of injustice and oppression head-on and unapologetically.” There are lots of ways to get involved—in addition to attending performances, dancers can find performance opportunities with the group, and people can also volunteer as support during various events. 


 

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Wapato Island Farm

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Nestled on Sauvia Island in Portland, this woman-owned organic farm is set on 32 acres of land. Wapato Island Farm is focused on “utilizing and teaching folk herbalism and permaculture practices to rediscover ancestral traditions and honor the Earth.” They offer workshops, skill-sharing gatherings, folk herbalism consultations, herbal products, and more opportunities to learn about and interact with the earth. 


Indigenous Come Up

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This important organization works to support Indigenous businesses, preserve cultural traditions, and organize the Portland Indigenous Marketplaces so people can buy original designs directly from Indigenous artists. At the different markets, you can purchase all kinds of items, including handmade jewelry, artwork, clothing, plant products, and so much more. 


 

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11:11

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This space is a very unique venture, and 11:11 is much more than just another shop. Their store helps you tackle different areas of your life with items organized by themes including “focus,” “motivation,” and “time management,” for example. Then, their website and workshops support what’s in their shop to “bring you everyday tips and knowledge on how to craft a more badass work and personal life.” Learn more about it all + get inspired here!


 

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Tender Table

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This collective was started as a monthly event that was focused on food, stories, and community. “The series features stories by women, trans, and nonbinary folks who are black, indigenous, or people of color,” and Tender Table makes space where their stories can be centered and celebrated. Follow Tender Table on social media so you know when to join for the next gathering! 


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