Thinking about moving to Portland? As one of the best places to live on the West Coast and in the nation, the City of Roses has plenty to offer residents—including vast outdoor spaces, unique places to eat, affordable living, and more. Check out these five safe, affordable neighborhoods in Portland!
Alameda
Photo via @thebungalowguy
- Home Price: $588,075 median purchase price; $1,173 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Portland neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Historic Portland neighborhood Alameda oversees the Willamette River, Cascade Mountains, and Downtown Portland. This affordable neighborhood in Portland also is complete with tree-lined streets and homes built before the 1940s in a variety of styles like Craftsman, Tudor, Bungalow, and Colonial. Less than 15 minutes from the city center and sandwiched between the Alberta Arts District, Williams District, and Hollywood District, this safe Portland neighborhood offers residents plenty of fun things to do in Rip City, including artsy events like Last Thursday on Alberta Street. Plus, green spaces like Wilshire Park, Grant Park, and Irving Park are within walking distance, so families and retirees have several opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Things to Do in Alameda
Find your next vintage accessories, furniture, or closet staple at Antique Alley. Admire Native American art collections like Antler and Bone Carvings, Inuit Prints, and Navajo Tapestry Weavings at Quintana Galleries. Explore the Spanish-Colonial interiors of the Alberta Rose Theatre before taking a seat for an acoustic music show, art-house film, or live performance. Have date night at a Craft + Sip Session at DIY BAR, or take a craft kit home with you. Start your morning with a Miracle Pill latte, Lion Heart Kombucha, or Patinkin Punch tea at Guilder. Enjoy brunch favorites like a Breakfast Cobbler, The Hash Slinging Slasher, or The Smorrebrod at Grain & Gristle. Find a cozy nook to read a book and eat a Turkey Melt, Pasta Puttanesca, or Hummus Plate at Rose City Book Pub. Or enjoy dishes like the Arrabbiata, Potato & Basil Gnocchi, or Panna Cotta at Lucca.
Bridlemile
Photo via @radranches
- Home Price: $565,300 median purchase price; $464 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Portland neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
If you are looking for a quieter, safe Portland neighborhood that’s still close to downtown, look no further than Bridlemile! Situated in Southwest Portland, this woodsy area is surrounded by well-kept trails and preserved green spaces like the 12-acre Albert Kelly Park and Hamilton Park, perfect for nature lovers moving to Portland. People living in Bridlemile often participate in community service like the Bridlemile Creek Stewards who restore local plants and landscaping during projects like the Albert Kelly Creek Restoration. Residents also have the opportunity to get close with neighbors at events like the Party On, Portland! summer block party hosted by the Bridlemile Neighborhood Association. Along with the tight-knit community, families will love Bridlemile for its affordable bungalows, ranches, and modern apartments, along with its great schools like Portland Montessori Collaborative or Bridlemile Elementary School, one of the top-rated schools in the city for test scores.
Things to Do in Bridlemile
Put on your headphones and cycle around the 4.5-mile Fanno Creek Natural Area. Start your herb garden with Lemon Balm, Marshmallow Root, Mullein Leaf, or more than 400 bulk herbs and spices at the oldest apothecary in PDX, Dragon Herbarium. Get your cross-stitch materials, buy embroidered decor, or join a sewing class at Acorns & Threads. Learn how to make a flower arrangement while snacking on pie or sipping on pinot at Opal Blooms Urban Flower Farm & Design Studio. Get a self-decorating donut kit, or indulge in flavors like Raspberry Cream Cheese or Bavarian Cream at Sesame Donuts. Savor Red Curry, Pineapple Fried Rice, or Pad Kra Prow at Pepper Tree Thai Cuisine. Dig into Kalua Mojo Pork, Catfish Po’Boy, or Great Balls of Fire habanero cheese fritters at the tropical Salvador Molly’s. Or leave the kids at home to enjoy a specialty brew like the Mexicano Dramatico lager or Tinsmith hazy IPA and slices of Life’s a Peach pizza at Steeplejack Brewing Co.
Eastmoreland
Photo via @portlandhomestories
- Home Price: $455,088 median purchase price; $687 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 79% of Portland neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Want to settle down in one of the best areas to live in Portland? Located on the east side of the Willamette River, Eastmoreland is ideal for those who want a quiet place to live while still having an easy city commute via SE McLoughlin Blvd or the MAX Light Rail Orange Line. With spacious Tudor and Colonial-style houses in the area, this affordable Portland neighborhood is perfect for families who need room to grow, or singles and young professionals looking to rent an apartment in Portland. This affordable place in Portland has many public and private schools like Lewis Elementary School, Duniway Elementary School, and Holy Family Catholic School. And older students don’t have to leave home for higher education since Reed College is within the neighborhood.
Things to Do in Eastmoreland
Join a shotgun tournament, sign your young ones up for junior golf lessons, or test your putting skills at the two-tiered driving range at Eastmoreland Golf Course. Stroll through nine acres of garden and wildlife at the beautiful Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Take the kids to Westmoreland Park to play baseball, climb on the natural playground, have a family picnic, and more. Check out the latest staff picks, attend Preschool Sensory Storytime, or encourage your child to take up the Summer Reading challenge at the Woodstock Library. Try the grass-fed beef in signature burgers like the Hunt and Gather, Umami, or Notorious P.I.G. at Dick’s Primal Burger. Order Thai dishes like Kana Moo Krob with Fried Egg, Pad Ka Pao with Fried Egg, or Grilled Lemongrass Chicken at Chick & Pig Thai Street Food. Order Southern comfort food like Bam Bam Ribs, Catfish Fillet, or Jambalaya before indulging on weekly dessert specials at Delta Cafe. Or finish the night with a Secret Crush hard cider, Vaporizer pilsner, or Hop Lion IPA at Double Mountain Taproom.
Northwest District
Photo via @abbyenyquist
- Home Price: $460,796 median purchase price; $1,069 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 89% of Portland neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Want to live near Downtown PDX, but don’t want to pay downtown prices? Northwest District (also known as Nob Hill to locals) is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Portland with a vibe that matches Downtown Portland and the Pearl District. Residents can easily take the Portland Streetcar or the MAX Light Rail to get to the city, or find outdoor recreation on the North District’s east side or at Nob Hill’s heart, Forest Park. This safe Portland neighborhood also provides employment opportunities at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center—and with wonderful schools like Chapman Elementary School, Childpeace Montessori School, and nearby Lincoln High School, families of all ages can thrive here. To top it all off, Nob Hill offers a wide range of affordable housing options—from Victorian-style houses and refurbished condos, to newly-constructed townhomes and Contemporary apartments, making buying a home in Portland a budget-friendly option.
Things to Do in Northwest District
Hike or bike over 80 miles of trails in the 5,200-acre Macleay Park. Discover all kinds of curious and spooky interactive exhibits, or bring home memorabilia like Bigfoot busts, alien posters, and more at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium. Catch a Portland Timbers (MLS) game in the summer at Providence Park. Learn about the lives of Portland pioneers, Henry and Georgiana Pittock, at the 16,000-square-foot French Renaissance Pittock Mansion. Snack on baked goods like The Jambon, Ken’s Hero, or a Hazelnut Butter Cookie at Ken’s Artisan Bakery. Expand your palate with French dishes like Os A Moelle, Ris De Veau En Piperade, and Bourride A La Setoise at St. Jack. Enjoy warm platters like French Dip, Thousand Layer Potatoes, or S’mores over a chat with friends at Fireside. Or savor Italian dishes like Insalata Mingo, Tagliatelle, or Pappardelle at cozy Caffe Mingo.
Southwest Hills
Photo via @mattbanner.realtor
- Home Price: $622,364 median purchase price; $1,069 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Portland neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
With large green spaces like Marquam Nature Park and Washington Park bordering it, Southwest Hills is a natural paradise filled with mountain biking trails, hiking options, and other outdoor recreation. Beyond outdoor activities, this cultural hub gives residents plenty of things to do in Portland like explore art galleries, enjoy fine dining, and more. Just as it’s filled with greenery and artistic events, Southwest Hills is also full of famous homes like the Frank J Cobb House, Annand-Loomis House, the Maud & Belle Ainsworth House, and more. So, it’s common to see older styles like Victorian mixed with Colonial, Craftsman, and Contemporary homes throughout this historic and safe Portland neighborhood. While living in Southwest Hills, parents can send their kids to Ainsworth Elementary or nearby West Sylvan Middle School, and older students can still live at home while attending Portland State University.
Things to Do in Southwest Hills
Watch a screening at PAM CUT, purchase work from local artists in the Rental Sales Gallery, or explore exhibits like Jeffrey Gibson: They Come From Fire or Black Artists of Oregon at the Portland Art Museum. Play doubles on the tennis court, watch for wildlife on the trails, or spin on the merry-go-round with your kids at Portland Heights Park. Plan a picnic date with friends or your loved one at the Redwood Deck in Hoyt Arboretum. Admire animals on display like the elephants, tigers, monkeys, and otters at the close-by Oregon Zoo. Be comforted by Italian food like Spinach Ravioli, Garlic Pancetta Pizza, and Tiramisu at Vista Spring Cafe. Dine at Thai Yummy for Tom Yum Shrimp, Pad Kee-Mao, or Basil Fried Rice. See Asian fusion dishes at their finest with Breakfast Bento, Gyudon, or a Mr. Miyagi Sandwich at Phat Cart. Or fill up on appetizers like Moussette Charcuterie and Salad Nicoise before your main course of Yucatan-Style Pork Stew or “Kakavia” arrives at Higgins.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
