Portland Neighborhood: Sellwood-Moreland

Boasting a walk score of 81 Southeast Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood actually consists of three distinct neighborhood districts: Sellwood, Westmoreland, and Eastmoreland. With four beautiful public parks (Westmoreland Park, Sellwood Park, Sellwood Riverfront, and Johnson Creek Park), the Oaks Bottom Refuge hiking area, Eastmoreland public golf course, and the Springwater Corridor all within easy reach, this neighborhood is especially great for families who like outdoor activities and playing in nature, with a close commute to downtown across the Sellwood Bridge.

Other local public amenities include the Sellwood Community Center, Sellwood-Moreland Library, Sellwood outdoor public pool, and the Sellwood Community Garden.

Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood History

Historically, Sellwood began as an independent city when the original owner, a fruit farmer, sold his 320 acres to Rev. John Sellwood. In 1882, Sellwood sold half of his acreage to the Sellwood Real Estate Company who planned and developed the city of Sellwood. Five years later, the city was incorporated, and eventually became a part of Portland proper in 1893.

In 1909 Eastmoreland and Westmoreland were born of a sold and subdivided 500-acre farm. These new neighborhoods were marketed to families headed by professionals who worked in downtown Portland, only five miles to the south, usually commuting to work by the relatively new streetcar.

While these areas are well distinguished today by separate and thriving business districts, and many residents identify them as strictly individual neighborhoods, the Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement officially combined the neighborhoods of Sellwood and Westmoreland into Sellwood-Moreland. With Westmoreland situated on the east side of the community, and Sellwood on the west side along the river.

Sellwood-Moreland Median Home Values

The median home value in Sellwood-Moreland currently lands at $425,397 – dramatically higher than the national average of $184,700, but very much in keeping with Portland’s higher-than-average home prices. Neighboring Eastmoreland, voted by Niche users as the #3 best Portland neighborhood to live in, is pricier with a median home value of $496,993.

Sellwood-Moreland Family-Friendly Destinations

Sellwood-Moreland has long been the antique shopping destination in Southeast Portland, with the Stars Antiques Mall housing 100+ vendors in 10,000 square feet and it’s annex right across the street, Stars and Splendid. These cavernous spaces full of all manner of eye candy are a fun place to wander through and while away a rainy afternoon with the kids.

Cloud Cap Games is a beautifully designed game store stocked wall to wall with fun puzzles and different types of games. They even host regularly scheduled game nights, sometimes in their outdoor gaming space. Now you know where to head for a new game to enjoy during your next family game night.

Just one street down is a craft store called Collage, filled with everything your family needs to get their creativity on. The kids will go nuts in here. Check out their craft night project schedule while you’re there.

Stop by Grand Central Bakery on the way home for fresh baked cookies, bread, and lunch fare, or visit neighborhood favorite: Piece of Cake Bakery for unique cupcakes, cakes by the slice or whole, and more.

One new neighborhood favorite that was designed with mom and dad in mind is Buttercraft, a butter and bottle shop offering wine, beer, tea, cured meats, antipasto, and house-made butter in a variety of unique flavors. Buttercraft offers locals the a walkable destination for date night.

Just as in other Portland neighborhoods, Sellwood-Moreland businesses gladly get in on the action when it comes to community celebrations, participation in the neighborhood celebration ‘Summerville’ is high.

Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood Schools

The Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood offers many neighborhood families and children the opportunity to walk to school, with both private and public options including: Llewellyn Elementary School (K-5, public), Sellwood Middle School (6-8, public), Cleveland High School (9-12, public), and St. Agatha Catholic School (K-8, private).

Stay tuned for more Walkable and Family-Friendly Portland, Oregon Neighborhoods.

If you’re ready to start the home-buying process (in Sellwood-Moreland of any other Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington neighborhood) I’d love to help. Give me a call anytime, or start your home-loan prequalification now by submitting your info directly to me using this handy online form.

Portland Neighborhood: Beaumont-Wilshire

Located in Northeast Portland, Beaumont-Wilshire is flanked by the Alameda, Concordia, Cully, Rose City Park, and Grant Park neighborhoods. Sitting pretty on the Alameda Ridge, this is one of eastside Portland’s most in-demand (and relatively pricey) neighborhoods. Boasting views of downtown PDX and the Cascades, this charming neighborhood draws mainly retirees, professionals, and families interested in owning a home, with fewer rental opportunities per capita. The median home value is $514,219 in Beaumont-Wilshire compared to the national average of $184,700. This popular Portland neighborhood reflects the higher-than-average home prices we’ve become accustomed to seeing in PDX and surrounding areas.

Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood History

Beaumont-Wilshire was established in the early 1900s but initially, it was two separate neighborhoods, divided by Fremont Street. With its small-town-feel, Fremont now serves the surrounding community as a unifying center for commerce and socializing, the Fremont area is also referred to as Beaumont Village. This well-established neighborhood is now also overseen by an active neighborhood association.

With fun neighborhood activities hosted by local businesses throughout the year, Fremont Street offers a walkable destination for neighborhood families. Hip Hop Into the Shops celebrating Spring, Fright Night at Halloween, Fremont Fest in the Summer, and Holiday Fest in December are especially popular, drawing families from all over Portland to walk the neighborhood and enjoy various festive activities together.

Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Eats

The local Umpqua Bank branch always has fresh coffee and hot chocolate on tap and often keeps chocolate coins on hand. Generous with stickers regardless of the season, they are also rumored to have popsicles in their on-site freezer through the hot summer months. There are tons more family-friendly businesses in Beaumont-Wilshire including: Pip’s Donuts (if you’re visiting on the weekend get there early, the line grows fast!) Batter (chicken and waffles anyone?), Pizzicato (these guys make a delicious light crispy crust pizza, also offering gluten-free crust) Blackbird Wine and Cheese (a favorite neighborhood after-school stop for parents and kids alike, especially at their outdoor patio during the warmer months) Grand Central Bakery (serving cinnamon buns and other fresh-baked goodness) and the brand new Prince Coffee (serving coffee, tea, and STROOPWAFELS!)

Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Park

Also central to Beaumont-Wilshire’s tree-lined neighborhood sits the 14 acre Wilshire Park, offering a picnic area perfect for barbecues and birthday parties, an off-leash section for dogs, walking paths, an expansive playground with climbing structures and a sandpit, a soccer field, and a softball field.

Beaumont-Wilshire Walk Score

The Beaumont-Wilshire walk score of 72 means families with children can walk to just about everything they need right in the neighborhood. The Beaumont Market provides a little bit of everything, from fresh flowers and produce, to cleaning supplies and household needs, to local baked goods and freezer food. Plus they have a huge selection of beer and wine at all price points.

Angela Talbott, an agent with Premiere Property Group shared this little piece of information about the neighborhood market, “In the 1900’s a young architect named Charles W. Ertz came to Portland from California and worked for Joseph Jaccobberger who designed the original Madeleine Parish Church and School on NE 24th. Ertz went on to design the Beaumont Market on NE 41st and Fremont. His challenge was to blend the design for his new market building into the existing context of the neighboring building. Now, no one even realizes they were once two separate buildings. He continued to design and build homes throughout the Alameda Ridge, reflecting the California vibe of Spanish Revival architecture.”

Across the street from Beaumont Market, Beaumont Hardware stocks a full complement of hardware and gardening supplies, and may be one of the last opportunities to experience a true old-school neighborhood hardware store.

Todd Peres, a real estate broker with Debbie Thomas Real Estate agrees, “This little hardware store is old-school with super-friendly and knowledgeable staff – someone actually greets you when you walk in and helps you find what you need, plus it’s dog-friendly!”

Beaumont-Wilshire Schools

Many local families and children walk to their neighborhood schools – with both public and private options in the area including: Alameda Elementary School (K-5, public), The Madeleine School (K-8, private Catholic), Beaumont Middle School (6-8, public), The Ivy School (K-8, public charter Montessori) as well as a long list of tiny home-based preschools in the area.

Maria Fitzgerald, an Inhabit agent honored as one of the top 10% in Portland, shares her favorite features of the neighborhood, “Beaumont-Wilshire is a top Northeast neighborhood for families because of its fantastic proximity to most everyday needs. It has drop-in healthcare, Beaumont Market for those last-minute dinner needs, and the trusted hardware store thatʼs a neighborhood staple. Family-friendly restaurants and coffee shops like Pip’s, Jim and Pattyʼs and Grand Central Bakery keep people coming back. Itʼs a wonderful place to walk and bike while admiring all the beautiful homes. I especially love the hidden public stairs which are one of my favorite workouts!”

Premiere agent Angela Talbott agrees that the Beaumont-Wilshire area is great for families who are looking for “good schools and a beautiful house, not too far from the interstate for the work commute AND the ability to walk or bike through the neighborhood to easily get to the park, the market, or a lovely dinner or breakfast place with the kids. Families in the city!”

Stay tuned for more Walkable and Kid-Friendly Portland, Oregon Neighborhoods.

If you’re ready to start the home-buying process (in Beaumont-Wilshire of any other Portland, Oregon or Vancouver, Washington neighborhood) I’d love to help. Give me a call anytime, or start your home-loan prequalification now by submitting your info directly to me using this handy online form.

Best Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Sellwood-Moreland