Portland Oregon Neighborhoods

The Rose City is generally described in terms of its "five quadrants" which include North, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and, of course, Southwest. Portland is divided west from east by the Willamette River, and north from south by Burnside Street. The diversity doesn't end there however. Each pocket of each neighborhood has its own distinct flavor, making this city a veritable one stop shop. Because Portland is so profoundly defined by its various neighborhoods, it is only natural that we begin this guide with a brief section devoted to Portland's various "Villages".
Northwest

Northwest Portland is known for being trendy and a touch posh. Outdoor tables line the streets, glamorous boutiques beckon, chic restaurants light up at night, and even the pedestrians look like they are trying a little harder to get noticed. Grab your designer eyewear and hit the streets to enjoy what this upscale corner of the city has to offer.
THE PEARL DISTRICT
This chic district is aptly named: once a decidedly blue-collar industrial area that was a touch shady after dark, it has undergone significant development in the past decade to become one of Portland's most stylish neighborhoods. Shoppers absolutely adore the Pearl and there’s a plethora of dining options to suit every taste.

OLD TOWN/CHINATOWN
Closer to the water, Chinatown offers a life of its own. Skirting both the Southwest and Northwest (see both maps), you’ll find authentic Asian food markets, dim sum palaces and herbal medicine. Don’t miss the calm and beautiful Chinese Gardens, an entire city block full of plants indigenous to China. Feel like shopping? Portland Saturday Market offers up a wide selection of local, handmade items.

NOB HILL Better known to visitors as “twenty-third,” the locals know this area as Nob Hill. The restaurants, boutiques, bars and spas on 21st and 23rd avenues attract the locals as well as visitors from far outside of Portland.

SouthWest/Downtown High-rises and corporate offices, architect’s studios and law firms are plenty in Southwest Portland, but the suits aren’t alone—Portland State University students also claim these streets, so coffee shops, theatres and gyms attract a diverse clientele. And of course shoppers love Southwest—from the downtown mall to the selection of boutiques, it’s a great place to spend a day window-shopping. As you start your explorations, the first landmark to visit is the Pioneer Courthouse for its classic architecture. Braver souls will take the tour of the “Shanghai Tunnels,” where, the story goes, drunken sailors were kidnapped, held in captivity, and put on the next ship out of town to work off their “debts.”

North Portland
North Portland’s diverse businesses cater to the old guard and the new recruits, and almost every block delivers a surprise. You’re likely to see a mural painted on a run-down building by an ambitious local artist…and it’s right next door to a shiny new tower of lofts. Watch what’s happening in North Portland—there is a real sense of anticipation that pervades every block.

ST JOHNS Perhaps you’ve noticed the beautiful St. Johns Historic Bridge quietly holding court over the river. Or you’ve heard that St. John’s is where Forest Park ends. Any way you slice it, St. Johns mixes small-town friendliness with city living.  

WILLIAMS STREET The construction doesn’t stop on Williams—from sleek new condos to ambitious eateries, there is always something new popping up.

MISSISSIPPI AVENUE Mississippi just keeps getting better, with something new to discover every time you visit. You can shop, dine, drink and pamper yourself from one end to the other. (It’s bordered by Fremont Street to the south and Skidmore to the north.) Don’t miss the Mississippi Social on the second Thursday of every month (from 6-8 pm) when shops are open late and live music is featured.

INTERSTATE AVENUE Interstate is another up-and-comer. Some of the city’s most original restaurants and kitschiest watering holes can be found peppered between 60s motels and run-down mini marts.

NORTHEAST From the glamorous grit of Burnside to the stately homes of Irvington and the cul-de-sacs of Hollywood, the common denominator that ties Northeast neighborhoods together is momentum. A steady wave of gentrification is bringing up property values and making NE a hotspot for art, dining, and fashion.

ALBERTA STREET Last Thursday on Alberta means the stores are open late, the bars and restaurants are crowded, and local artisans line the streets to sell their wares. Crazy characters can be seen bicycling, juggling and dancing down the street, and you’re sure to be entertained. And there is no shortage of restaurants on Alberta, from hippie cafes to vegan breakfast joints.

BROADWAY / LLOYD Walkable Broadway is a chic urban destination where boutiques and restaurants line the sidewalks. Even more impressive, sports fanatics will want to check out the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden Arena or the Winter Hawks hockey team at the nearby Memorial Coliseum. Near the Convention Center, you’ll find the Lloyd Center Mall, which boasts a Nordstrom, a Macy’s and an ice rink.

SOUTHEAST
Southeast Portland has a number of fine walking streets where you can easily spend a day (or a night) wandering in and out of shops, bars and restaurants. Art galleries and unusual boutiques pepper the area, in addition to the unique home stores. Be sure to wear your walking shoes, and plan on not having a plan. See where the day takes you!

HAWTHORNE
There are more bicycle riders and piercing parlors in this neighborhood than any other. You’re likely to see dreadlocked 20-somethings lunching on hummus next to 30-somethings with kids in tow and 40-somethings instant-messaging coworkers in India on their laptops.

BELMONT
Starving artists live next door to account executives on Belmont, because everyone wants to hang out on this hip strip.

CLINTON/DIVISION This little corner of Portland is home to some of the city’s best-loved spots. A must hit spot for music-hunters.