Where to Buy a House in the Portland Suburbs When You Want Land

Right now in the Portland area (and really in most cities) we’re seeing a major trend of people wanting a home with more space both inside and out. Of course, this is largely due to the pandemic and staying home so often. If you need to stay close to Portland but you want to find a home with more space, you’ll likely need to move out of the city and live in one of Portland’s suburbs. 

Portland Real Estate Agent Lauren Goché has been hearing this from clients pretty much weekly since the pandemic began: People are moving to Portland but don’t want to be IN Portland. They want to be within a 45-minute commute to Portland. They also want to have 1-2 acres with maybe a cabin, and/or the possibility for multi-generational living. (In addition to the conditions the COVID-19 pandemic has created, Boomers are aging and many Gen Xers are wanting to house their aging parents.) 

If you want more land in the Portland area, look in areas around Mt. Hood. Below, you’ll find recommendations on areas to look for properties where you can own more land. 

But before we dive into all of that, a quick warning! 

A lot of the time, Lauren will have her real estate clients get really excited about a cute cabin they found in the Mount Hood area, and it’ll be really (surprisingly) affordable. And this is likely because the cabin is on leased forestry land. This means that you will only own the cabin, NOT the actual land. It’s like owning a boat but not the water. This is just a bad investment. (If you have a ton of extra money to just toss at something and you’re ok to lose this money down the road then fine, but if you’re scraping it together to buy a property, this is a hard NO from Lauren!) In fact, she knows someone who had their family cabin on leased land for generations, and they lost it because the lease with the Bureau of Land Management ran out. It was devastating. 

Ok, back to our scheduled programming. If you’re searching for a property with more land, here are the best areas to look around Mount Hood: 

Corbett, Oregon

Corbett is gorgeous but expensive. This community is right on the Columbia River, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Corbett is about a 30-minute drive into the heart of Portland. Learn more about Corbett here. 

Here’s an example of a property that recently sold (listing by Team Savvy Lane with Savvy Lane); click here to view all photos, details, & sold price. 

Estacada, Oregon 

This small city has a really cute little downtown area, and you can live out of the town but still come in and find everything you need. Estacada is about a 40-minute drive into the heart of Portland. 

Here’s an example of a property that recently sold in Estacada (listing by Duff Main of RE/MAX Equity Group); click here to view all photos, details, & sold price. 

Boring, Oregon

This small community is right in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, and why yes, Boring is home to the North American Bigfoot Center! Boring is also only about 30 minutes into the heart of Portland. 

Sandy, Oregon 

Sandy is in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, and it’s known as the western gateway to Mount Hood. You can enjoy small town vibes here, but it’s not too small—there’s a Fred Meyer, a movie theater, and tons of other amenities so you don’t have to go far when you need something. Sandy is 37 minutes into the heart of Portland. 

Other Areas Outside of Portland Where You Can Find Homes with More Land 

Canby, Oregon

Canby is right along the Willamette River and Oregon Route 99E runs right through it, giving an easy option to get into Portland. Canby is about a 30-minute drive into the heart of Portland. 

Scappoose, Oregon

Scappoose is northwest of Portland, and right along the Washington border. It’s conveniently on a highway that’ll take you straight into Portland; you can be in Downtown Portland in just 26 minutes. 

Here’s an example of a property that recently sold (listing by Debra Parmleye); click here to view all photos, details, & sold price. 

Molalla, Oregon 

Molalla is south of Portland and this little city is surrounded by farmland. Molalla is a 40-minute drive into the heart of Portland. 

Banks, Oregon 

Banks, Oregon is west of Portland, and this small community is surrounded by scenic farmland. Banks is only a 25-minute drive to the heart of Portland. 

Areas in Washington State Close to Portland Where You Can Find Homes on More Land

Washougal, Washington 

Located right across the state line and along the Columbia River, Washougal is a city surrounded by parks and greenspace. Washougal is a 25-minute drive into the heart of Portland. 

Camas, Washington 

Camas is right in between Washougal and Vancouver and situated along the Columbia River. From Camas you’re just a 25-minute drive into Downtown Portland. 

Would you like to learn more about buying a home in the Portland suburbs? Portland Real Estate Agent Lauren Goché is ready to help. Get in touch with her here!

What Are The Best & Worst Things About Portland? Here’s What Locals Said

Recently, I shared a survey about Portland neighborhoods on social media. The survey asked people all kinds of questions about commute times, favorite coffee shops and restaurants, and much more, including what they feel the best and worst thing is about their particular neighborhood.

Some Portland neighborhoods received several responses, while some neighborhoods received one or zero responses (and for the neighborhoods that received zero responses, the neighborhood will not be featured below). 

I wanted to share the real, nitty gritty details of what people reported as the worst and best thing about their Portland neighborhoods, and you’ll find a long list of responses below organized by neighborhood in alphabetical order. As you read through everyone’s faves/least faves, keep in mind that any one perspective does not 100% represent a neighborhood—it’s just one person’s point of view. 

Arbor Lodge

The Best Things About Arbor Lodge: 

• “The convenience to grocery stores, gas stations, shops, restaurants.”   
• “Close to I-5 and grocery stores.”
• “I love how close I am to everything. The neighbors act like neighbors, say hello/learn your name.”  

The Worst Things About Arbor Lodge: 

• “The occasional crime/transient traffic (not necessarily related).”  
• “Homeless camps a block away.” 
• “There is a pretty active transient/ homeless population so securing your property is very important.” 

Ardenwald-Johnson Creek

The Best Things About Ardenwald-Johnson Creek:

• “Being right outside of Portland proper, but still being close to everything!”
• “The community we’ve built with our neighbors.” 

The Worst Things About Ardenwald-Johnson Creek:

• “Flaming Confederate flag mailboxes.”
• ”The Trump loving boomers.”  

Beaumont-Wilshire

The Best Things About Beaumont-Wilshire: 

• “Having two different areas in walking distance with restaurants, bars and shops.” 

The Worst Things About Beaumont-Wilshire: 

• “Not close to a MAX line and having to take multiple buses to get downtown.” 

Brentwood-Darlington

The Best Things About Brentwood-Darlington: 

• “Down to earth, kind neighbors, elementary school.” 

The Worst Things About Brentwood-Darlington: 

• “Substance abuse, homelessness, graffiti.”

Brooklyn

The Best Things About Brooklyn: 

• “That I have bars and restaurants within a few blocks, but it also feels like a real neighborhood and also safe.”

The Worst Things About Brooklyn: 

• “Depending on where you live in Brooklyn, parking can be tough when there’s a show at the Aladdin.” 

Buckman

The Best Things About Buckman: 

• “It is so easy to access most parts of Portland by bike or bus.”
• “Easy walking to coffee and shopping and bars.” 
• “Location to Portland and local bars.”
• “It’s gorgeous, semi-quiet and green but still bustling and interesting.” 
• “It’s in the middle of a lot of well-known and grown neighborhoods without being too heavily populated. I also love the small neighborhood businesses.”

The Worst Things About Buckman: 

• “There isn’t a good gym close by.”
• “Nothing.” 
• “Transient population.” 
• “Traffic, parking, lack of available rentals.” 
• “I think this is an issue for many neighborhoods, but trash/litter.” 

Centennial 

The Best Things About Centennial: 

• “Original owners and first time owners mingling, comfy, small-ranch homes with big lots.”
• “The space in my yard; proximity to Powell Butte Nature Park and other nature preserves.”  
• “Our neighbors.”  

The Worst Things About Centennial: 

• “Commute westward… can be slow and side streets are your best friend at times! Big desire and potential for more businesses in the neighborhood so folks don’t need or want to travel in. The Portland Gresham lines merge in this area and folks who once lived closer in but wanted some yard space they could afford would love more options! Hidden/forgotten corner of PDX with many first-time owners and retirees who would love to see more grocery stores, bars, eateries.” 
• “Not walkable, no local spots to hang out at, not a huge community feeling outside of the couple of neighbors we’ve befriended the last couple years.” 

Concordia

The Best Things About Concordia:

• “Closeness to fernhill and great sidewalks.”  

The Worst Things About Concordia:

• “Close to a major highway.” 

Creston-Kenilworth

The Best Things About Creston-Kenilworth: 

• “Quiet.”
• “It’s not jam packed.” 

The Worst Things About Creston-Kenilworth:

• “Too much low income rentals.”
• “It’s eh.” 

Cully

The Best Things About Cully:

• “Super rad neighbors.” 
• “Fernhill Park.”  
• “It’s quiet but welcoming.”

The Worst Things About Cully: 

• “Close to 82nd so we get our share of homeless camps.”
• “Traffic noise.” 
• “No sidewalks.”

Eastmoreland

The Best Things About Eastmoreland: 

• “The secluded feel of being away from the hustle of the city.”

The Worst Things About Eastmoreland: 

• “Prices of houses.”

Foster-Powell

The Best Things About Foster-Powell: 

• “Old trees, old houses in good condition, family friendly.”
• “Space and trees.”

The Worst Things About Foster-Powell: 

• “Rise in homelessness and related crime. Hopefully the additional shelters will help folks have safe places and less desperate times.”

Hazelwood

The Best Things About Hazelwood:

• “Great Midcentury homes.”

The Worst Things About Hazelwood: 

• “Crime.” 

Hillsdale

The Best Things About Hillsdale: 

• “Great local restaurants, many are dog friendly. It is quick for me to get to Beaverton, downtown, and the east side and I have Hillsdale and Multnomah Village to enjoy because they are so close. Feeling of community and acceptance. I love Gabriel Park as well.”

The Worst Things About Hillsdale: 

• “Car break ins. It was also one of the last neighborhoods in Portland to get TriMet back after the major ice/snow storm a few years ago.” 

Hollywood

The Best Things About Hollywood:

• “The beautiful yards/homes.”
• “Convenient to shopping and downtown.”
• “Inexpensive for how close in we are.”
• “Its location! There’s tons of amazing food and activities close by and it’s easy to get to anywhere else in the city by the close highway on ramp. But it’s also quiet and everyone is super friendly.”

The Worst Things About Hollywood:

• “The bums.”
• “Transient issues the closer you live to the MAX station.”
• “Restaurant options are sparse within walking distance.”

Humboldt

The Best Things About Humboldt: 

• “Its location! There’s tons of amazing food and activities close by and it’s easy to get to anywhere else in the city by the close highway on ramp. But it’s also quiet and everyone is super friendly.”

The Worst Things About Humboldt: 

• “There’s tons of construction and people selling their houses right now, which makes it harder to have a cohesive neighborhood/community.” 

Irvington

The Best Things About Irvington: 

• “Sidewalks lined with trees.”

The Worst Things About Irvington: 

• “Judgey middle-aged white people.”

John’s Landing

The Best Things About John’s Landing: 

• “Being close in to downtown and centrally located.”

The Worst Things About John’s Landing

• “It’s continuing to get busier all of the time?”

Kenton

The Best Things About Kenton:

• “Walking to everything, rarely ever drive, also the smell of the Mondelez bakery making oreos.”
• “Short walk to the park and downtown Kenton.”
• “Female-owned businesses.”
• “The adorable downtown! That it has its own identity within Portland. And how wonderful our neighbors are.”
• “The vibe.”

The Worst Things About Kenton:

• “Drivers on Lombard and interstate who are trying to get around the freeway traffic.”
• “Lots of cars in the streets from lack of driveways.”
• “Thieves.”
• “Petty crime. Had our car broken into so many times, and so many packages and mail stolen.” 
• “The smells.”

Laurelhurst

The Best Things About Laurelhurst:

• “Laurelhurst Park.”

The Worst Things About Laurelhurst:

• “Sidewalks are too dark.”

Lents

The Best Things About Lents:

• “The people.” 
• “How it’s growing.”

The Worst Things About Lents:

• “It can be pretty shady after dark.” 
• “Can be a little sketchy.” 

Mill Park

The Best Things About Mill Park:

• “The giant fir trees.”
• “Affordability and scenery.”

The Worst Things About Mill Park:

• “Crime and lack of sidewalks.”
• “It’s a nice pocket in a not-great area.”

Milwaukie

The Best Things About Milwaukie:

• “Island Station in between two parks, the Willamette, and the Trolley Trail.”
• “Our apartment backs up against the creek that runs through Milwaukie and it’s so quiet. We are close enough to 99 that everything is easy to get to but it’s not quite as expensive as our old place in inner Southeast Portland.” 

The Worst Things About Milwaukie:

• “Distance to places like the airport.”
• “The management here is super uptight. A lot of older folks that mostly live here and they can be quite closed minded, if not racist/homophobic/misogynistic.” 

Montavilla

The Best Things About Montavilla:

• “Affordable.”

The Worst Things About Montavilla:

• “Lots of debris, including needles. I feel unsafe on the 205 path.” 

Mt. Scott-Arleta 

The Best Things About Mt. Scott-Arleta:

• “Proximity to Mt. Scott Park and Woodstock.”  
• “Affordable.”
• “Walkability.” 

The Worst Things About Mt. Scott-Arleta: 

• “Some residents are selling drugs and stolen property out of their house on our street.”
• “It’s becoming much less affordable.”
• “Crime.” 

North Tabor

The Best Things About North Tabor: 

• “Walking distance to Mt Tabor.” 

The Worst Things About North Tabor: 

• “Close to busy roads.”

Northwest District (Uptown, Nob Hill, Alphabet Historic District)

The Best Things About Northwest District (Uptown, Nob Hill, Alphabet Historic District): 

• “Walkability.” 
• “How walkable it is.” 
• “I can walk to coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, and grocery stores. I am surrounded by beautiful Victorian houses, and I am close to Forest Park.”

The Worst Things About Northwest District (Uptown, Nob Hill, Alphabet Historic District): 

• “Cars and parking.”
• “Gets dirtier every year.”
• “It is expensive. NW 23rd often feels inauthentic because it is essentially designed for tourists.” 

Overlook

The Best Things About Overlook: 

• “The views of people’s gardens on my walks.” 

The Worst Things About Overlook: 

• “Car thefts.” 

Parkrose

The Best Things About Parkrose: 

• “Every place has a nice sized backyard!”

The Worst Things About Parkrose: 

• “It takes 10+ minutes to drive to things that are interesting.” 
• “Not super easy freeway access (close but lots of side streets to take to get there).”

Pearl District

The Best Things About Pearl District: 

• “It’s quiet.”

The Worst Things About Pearl District: 

• “Not a ton of access to diverse restaurants and bars on the waterfront.”

Piedmont

The Best Things About Piedmont: 

• “I like my house.” 
• “It smells like cookies because of the Nabisco factory. It’s no joke.” 

The Worst Things About Piedmont: 

• “My two adjoining neighbors.”
• “Like all of Portland, we have car break-ins. We just do.” 

Portland Downtown

The Best Things About Portland Downtown: 

• “How centrally located it is. Easy to get to everything on public transportation.” 

The Worst Things About Portland Downtown: 

• “Very busy in the summer.”

Portsmouth

The Best Things About Portsmouth: 

• “Affordability, proximity to St. John’s.” 
• “Close proximity to everything, freeways, public transportation, the coast up 30, Forest Park is my backyard.”
• “How close I am to things, but far enough away from the craziness of some neighborhoods.”

The Worst Things About Portsmouth: 

• “Dog poop EVERYWHERE.”
• “Speeders.” 
• “Neighborhood teenagers and trash they throw in people’s yards… including mine frequently.” 

Richmond

The Best Things About Richmond: 

• “Great restaurants, good public transportation.”
• “The beautiful houses.”

The Worst Things About Richmond: 

• “Pricey.”
• “Lack of parking.”  

Rose City Park

The Best Things About Rose City Park: 

• “Proximity to spots of interest and cool neighborhoods.” 
• “Location.” 

The Worst Things About Rose City Park: 

• “Constant development – turning over lots of double lots. Also cross-traffic between Sandy and Halsey.” 
• “Not a lot of homes have driveways.” 

Roseway

The Best Things About Roseway: 

• “My neighbors.”
• “Our nearby park and walkable shops.”
• “Family-oriented.”

The Worst Things About Roseway: 

• “No close places to walk to for coffee and good food… but it’s coming.”
• “Proximity to 82nd.”
• “Lack of stop signal.”

Russell

The Best Things About Russell:

• “The families!” 

The Worst Things About Russell:

• “Need a walkable grocery store besides Winco.” 

Sellwood-Moreland

The Best Things About Sellwood-Moreland: 

• “Being right in it.” 

The Worst Things About Sellwood-Moreland: 

• “Nothing.” 

South Portland (Corbett, Fulton, Lair Hill, Terwilliger)

The Best Things About South Portland (Corbett, Fulton, Lair Hill, Terwilliger): 

• “Location.”

The Worst Things About South Portland (Corbett, Fulton, Lair Hill, Terwilliger): 

• “Theft.” 

South Tabor

The Best Things About South Tabor: 

• “Family friendly.” 

The Worst Things About South Tabor: 

• “Sometimes feels oddly desolate.” 

Southwest Hills

The Best Things About Southwest Hills:

• “Large wooded lots.”

The Worst Things About Southwest Hills:

• “No sidewalk or interesting places.”

St. Johns

The Best Things About St. Johns:

• “The community.” 
• “It’s very old Portland.” 
• “Pier Park.”

The Worst Things About St. Johns:

• “The theft and the amount of fast changes without caring what the community needs and wants.” 
• “Crime.” 
• “Trash on sidewalks.” 

Sunnyside

The Best Things About Sunnyside:

• “Easy bike/bus/walk to everything central to Portland (best restaurants, Moda Center, Laurelhurst Park, cheap movie theaters, music venues).” 

The Worst Things About Sunnyside:

• “Occasionally difficult to find street parking.”

University Park

The Best Things About University Park:

• “It feels like home.”

The Worst Things About University Park:

• “Not enough good restaurants.” 

Woodlawn

The Best Things About Woodlawn: 

• “Easy to get to many parts of town.”

The Worst Things About Woodlawn: 

• “Gentrification blindness.”

Woodstock

The Best Things About Woodstock: 

• “Walkability, access to food/shops, access to public transportation, older neighborhood.”

The Worst Things About Woodstock: 

• “Builders that ignore the character of the neighborhood when building new homes. Builders building homes/apartments without driveways or parking.”

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

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