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Best Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Montavilla

July 31, 2019 by Mathew Mattila

Montavilla is one of Portland Oregon’s many close-in metro areas that feels more “neighborhoody” than urban while offering easy city access. This increasingly popular Northeast / Southeast neighborhood was even voted one of the ‘Top 10 U.S. Neighborhoods’ in 2017 by Lonely Planet.

Local History

Originally named “Mount Tabor Village” in the 1890s, the area served as a stopover for folks traveling between Portland and Mount Hood. Streetcars began servicing the area in 1892 and it was the abbreviated streetcar destination signs that inspired the neighborhood’s name: Mon (Mount) Ta (Tabor) Villa (Village).

Neighborhood Lifestyle

The main retail and commercial hub of Montavilla is SE Stark Street, specifically between 75th and 82nd Avenues. Neighbors can run errands, grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee, meet for drinks, see a second-run movie for just $4 at the historic Academy Theater, shop for groceries, and more on this busy strip.

Best Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Montavilla

Perhaps one of the best parts of the Montavilla neighborhood is the real sense of community and the celebration of diversity among the people who call this area home. One local summed it up, “Montavilla has a great friendly-neighborhood vibe… and there is a strong community/neighborhood feel.”

There’s also a burgeoning and equally diverse local food scene. Take a look at some of the most popular drinking and dining destinations in the area and you’ll notice there are flavors from all over the world on offer:

The Observatory Extensive, creative American menu, craft cocktails. A local favorite for late-night eats.

Blank Slate Popular neighborhood brunch, specialty cocktail bar, and open mic spot.

Little Saigon Highly-reviewed noodle joint, mostly Vietnamese food offerings with a few Thai options.

Master Kong Small dining area with an even tinier kitchen puts out great Chinese food. Famous locally for their Chinese crepes.

House of Bahn Mi Well-reviewed teeny, tiny neighborhood Vietnamese sandwich shop.

Giant Gyros Mediterranean spot serving up GIANT gyro sandwiches, falafel, eggplant. Rave reviews.

Heartbreaker Neighborhood kitchen dishing out home-cooked southern-style food and small-batch ice cream. Carnivore-friendly with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options as well.

Tienda Santa Cruz Considered a ‘neighborhood gem’ this little Mexican market and food-to-go spot is popular for its authentic burritos, tacos, and homemade Mexican pastries, cakes, and flan.

Secret Pizza Society Hole-in-the-wall vegan pizzeria deeply loved by neighborhood veg-only and meat-eaters alike.

For even more great places to eat and drink in Montavilla, visit this Eater PDX list.

The nearly 9.5-acre Montavilla Park has brought neighborhood families out to play since 1921. This popular neighborhood park includes a futsal field, a playground, as well as soccer and softball fields. You’ll also find Berrydale Park, Harrison Park, the beloved Vestal Community Garden, and of course Mt. Tabor Park all within the neighborhood. Montavilla Community Center offers plenty of activities and recreation as well, including seasonal swimming lessons and family swim at the outdoor Montavilla Pool.

Montavilla is ranked the 36th most walkable neighborhood in Portland with a walk score of 71 and very good public transportation options. Montavilla is also considered a ‘biker’s paradise’ with a bike score of 91. For commuters, three major arterials: Division, I-84, and I-2015 frame the Montavilla neighborhood, providing easy access to the city center and beyond. TriMet bus lines and the green, blue, and red Max lines also serve Montavilla.

Montavilla Real Estate

Consisting of mostly older homes (average build year is 1952) and plenty of old-growth trees lining the streets, Montavilla feels very suburban though it is technically considered a part of urban Portland.

Montavilla real estate cost is higher than the national average of approximately $185,000 but considerably lower than the Portland metro average of around $420,000 with neighborhood median home values landing around $350,000 and homes selling on average for slightly under asking price.

Montavilla Schools

The Montavilla neighborhood is served by multiple public and charter schools as well as some higher education institutions: Vestal Elementary School (K-8, public); Bridger Elementary School (K-8, public); Creative Science School (K-8, public charter); Grace Lutheran School (K-8, private) Multnomah University (Christian); and Portland Community College Southeast campus.

If you’re ready to start the home-buying process (in the Montavilla area or 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 easy online mortgage application form.

Best Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Foster-Powell

February 21, 2019 by Mathew Mattila

Portland, Oregon’s Southeast Foster-Powell neighborhood, affectionately referred to as FoPo, is one a few remaining truly affordable neighborhoods for families looking to purchase real estate. It’s affordable, mainly because it’s still considered to be ‘up and coming’ but ask any neighbor in this compact ‘hood and you’ll quickly learn that those who call this area home consider it one of the best and more diverse PDX has to offer.

The explosion in Portland real estate the last few years has brought an influx of new residents to this developing area. New residents = new energy. With plenty of small businesses taking root, Foster-Powell, an area that once had a pretty bad rep, has been and continues to be thoroughly invigorated. Historically, the area came about as a result of the construction of Portland’s original electric streetcar in the 1890s.

Great Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Foster-Powell

Foster-Powell Neighborhood Lifestyle

The Foster-Powell neighborhood rests in the Willamette River and Johnson Creek watersheds. Shaped like a triangle, this neighborhood is bordered by three major roadways: SE Powell Boulevard., SE Foster Road., and 82nd Avenue providing direct access to public transportation. While FoPo is not currently served by a MAX line, the city has been discussing the possibility. Commercial activity, consisting of everything a growing neighborhood could need, occurs at the outer edges – on Powell, Foster, and 82nd, with the interior streets being mainly residential.

With the Foster Transportation and Streetscape Project well underway the city plans to deliver “a street that is safer and more attractive for people walking, biking, taking transit and driving.” It will also add 190 new street trees and decorative street lights to help transform the area.

The FoPo neighborhood is buffeted by three local parks: Essex Park on 79th and Center, Kern Park on 66th and Center, and Laurelwood Park at the intersection of Foster Road and Holgate. There’s also the lovely Firland Parkway; a median strip of green in the city populated by large trees, right in the middle of 72nd Ave between Foster and Holgate.

With a coveted walk score of 80 and an almost perfect bike score of 99 (!!), Foster-Powell provides access to everyday community services and neighborhood resources within easy reach.

The strong FoPo Neighborhood Association helps provide even more stability to this growing, diverse community of families, retired folks, and young people.

This tight-knit neighborhood even has it’s own annual garden tour – showcasing 18-25 beautiful, local homegrown gardens each year. And from June to October the Woodstock Farmers Market serves fresh local food and live music to the community on Sundays.

Real estate agent Angela Talbott of Premiere Property Group agrees, “Foster-Powell is one of the top areas to live in Portland because it’s one of the most diverse and still affordable for close-in areas of the city! This fun neighborhood offers a huge amount of great restaurants, parks, and really good public school ratings. It’s a unique vibe, urban living in a neighborhood, and an area of “new ownership” for folks searching for their first home purchase!”

Things To Do In Foster-Powell

This smallish Portland neighborhood packs a big punch when it comes to things to do – from a busy nightlife to a huge assortment of delicious eats, FoPo has it all. Here are just a few local favorites:

Portland Mercado: The Portland Mercado is a grassroots community response to the dream of developing the first Latino public market in Portland while simultaneously operating as a response to wealth disparities in the region. The Mercado represents “the strong community desire to have a center for commerce based on Latino heritage.” You’ll find 9 food carts and 6 indoor business (including a neighborhood bar, a fresh produce market, and a Nicaraguan coffee shop) representing the diverse flavors of Latin America. The Portland Mercado is open daily from 11am-8pm.

Carts on Foster: There are no less than seventeen food carts parked in this covered lot at the intersection of Foster and 52nd. The diverse selection includes PDX favorites such as The Egg Carton for brunch and eggs; Road Runner BBQ; Fritkot PDX – Belgian fries and beef stew; The Chicken Coop for fried chicken goodness and other southern comforts; Istanbul Delight for perfect gyros, shawarma, and falafel; and much more!

There’s even Salon Bucci – a salon in a cart for haircuts, serving men, women, and children.

If you’re looking for a good old-fashioned burger and fries, head to neighborhood staple, Foster Burger, the rock n’ roll burger bar down the road.

Or, grab a big hot bowl of pho at local favorite Pho Hung.

Tango Berretin: Get your dance on at this local tango spot – take lessons, join guided tango practice each week, or dive in and take a group lesson before enjoying dancing a Saturday night away (9 pm – 1 am).

You’ll also find a plethora of unique art studios in Foster-Powell including Bohio Studio, Flat Blak Gallery, and Po’ Boy Art to name just a few.

Want something fun to do with the kids on a rainy day? Visit Make Do Art Studio offering classes, camps, and workshops for children and families.

Foster-Powell Neighborhood Schools

The Foster-Powell neighborhood is served by the following schools (this is not a comprehensive list): Arleta K-8 (K-8, public), Marysville School (K-8, public); Wild Lilac Child Development Community (Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, private); Franklin High School (9-12, public); Mt Scott Learning Center (9-12, private).

Foster-Powell Neighborhood Real Estate

Median home values in Foster-Powell are still higher than the natural average, but lower than most of the rest of the Portland- Metro area, at $250,716. About half of neighborhood residents are homeowners, as opposed to renters. Providing an increased sense of neighborhood stability.

Stay tuned for information on more great Portland, Oregon neighborhoods.

If you’re ready to start the home-buying process (in Foster-Powell or 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 easy online mortgage application form.

Best Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Rose City Park

January 14, 2019 by Mathew Mattila

Rose City Park Neighborhood Overview

1907 was an important year in the growing city of Portland, Oregon. It was the year the Rose City Park neighborhood was platted; the same year as the very first Portland Rose Festival and the year the Portland Railway trolley service started running from the downtown area making it easier for working commuters and families to call home.

Transportation to and from Rose City Park has evolved with the times and now offers numerous public transportation options including a number of buses servicing the area as well as easy access to two TriMet stations: the NE 60th Ave Station and the Hollywood Transit Station with the Blue, Green, and Red lines running through both stations

Family-Friendly Portland Neighborhoods: Rose City Park

This well-established Northeast Portland neighborhood is bordered by Beaumont-Wilshire , Grant Park, and the Hollywood District on the west (at NE 47th Avenue), the Cully neighborhood to the north (at NE Fremont Street), Roseway and Madison South on the east (at NE 65th Avenue), and the Center neighborhood to the south. This relatively close-in suburban neighborhood boasts a ‘very walkable’ score of 71 and a nearly perfect bike score of 94.

NE Sandy Boulevard runs through the middle of the neighborhood, operating as a transportation and community hub providing central access to a post office, grocery shopping, coffee houses, and plenty of dining options including fast food as well as more diverse options. Long-time standards like Clyde’s Prime Rib, Du’s Grill, and The Laurelwood Public House and Brewery have provided neighbors with family dinners and lunch break fare for decades but the upswing of growth in the neighborhood has brought new options including a new collection of food carts, the Rose City Food Park which includes two dozen food carts, a covered area for cozy dining on rainy days, and a kids’ play space brightly decorated with murals by local artists. Walkable and shoppable Fremont Street borders the Rose City Park neighborhood, as does the more urban Hollywood neighborhood, providing additional dining and shopping options within reach.

Locals sounding off on Street Advisor love the neighborhood for being “clean & green”, having a “neighborly spirit”, offering “peace and quiet”, and for it’s great parks and recreation and public transportation.

Neighborhood resident Chris says it’s “[A] good All-American neighborhood.” while fellow neighbor Lynn states, “this neighborhood is quite convenient and near a great deal of shopping, businesses, and restaurants. It is also quite accessible to route 84 so one can easily get on and off the highway.”

Putting the ‘Park’ in Rose City Park

The Rose City Park neighborhood takes its moniker from a sprawling 10-acre park of the same name located within the neighborhood. This jewel of a park is located at NE 62nd Avenue and Tillamook Street. The park is green nearly year-round and is home to numerous Douglas firs and cedar trees, not to mention a plethora of beautifully well-kept rose bushes. The park also includes playground and picnic areas, public restrooms, paved and unpaved walking paths, and a soccer field, softball field, and tennis court. Neighborhood families and local school sports teams can frequently be found enjoying the vast and beautiful Rose City Park just about any time of year.

Neighborhood Schools

Families in Rose City Park can access a number of schools in the Portland Public School system including Rose City Park Elementary School (K-5, public), and St. Rose School (Pre-K-8, private, Catholic)/. This northeast Portland neighborhood is served at the middle school and high school levels by neighboring Beaumont Middle School (6-8, public), and Grant and Madison high schools (9-12, public).

Neighborhood Real Estate

Redfin’s market insights on the Rose City Park neighborhood confirm that this is still relatively a competitive area in the slightly slowed Portland housing market with many homes still getting multiple offers and going pending within about three weeks.

While most homes are generally selling for the list price, hotter neighborhood homes sell for about 2% above list price and go pending much more quickly, in an average of about 5 days.

Still, as of this writing, the median home price in Rose City Park has cooled considerably over the past year, down almost 20%, to around $471,000. For the Portland metro area, it’s a relatively affordable neighborhood with a few higher-end properties mixed in. Current listings range from about $225,000 to $1.8 million with the bulk of available properties landing around that $450,000-$500,000 mark.

Stay tuned for more articles on the best Portland, Oregon neighborhoods.

If you’re ready to start the home-buying process 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

July 31, 2018 by Mathew Mattila

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.

Best Portland Neighborhoods to Buy a House: Beaumont-Wilshire

June 26, 2018 by Mathew Mattila

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.