The 6 Best Portland Neighborhoods To Call Home In 2025
From the time of Lewis and Clark, Oregon has been one of the continent’s best-kept secrets. It also has a long history of trying hard to stay that way.
That passion for demure anonymity reached an apex in the late 1960s, when its governor said in paraphrase, “Come visit, but don’t stay.” An often-photographed billboard at the California border greeted motorists with a more nuanced version of the thought: “Welcome to Oregon — we hope you will enjoy your visit.”
But times changed, and Oregon changed with them. A decades-long parade of moving vans from California, Washington, Colorado, and points farther east reoriented attitudes about the state’s modern-day settlers. In 1982, the famous border billboard came down, and Oregon welcomed generations of new neighbors into its close-knit communities.
Regarding fun, pretty, and culturally rich neighborhoods, Oregon’s most populous city is blessed with abundant riches. Here are eight of the best Portland area neighborhoods that make ideal destinations for newcomers and visitors alike:
Hawthorne District
The Hawthorne District in Southeast Portland started a century ago as a streetcar suburb. Today, it’s a hub for Portland’s quirky, bohemian excitement. There is always something to see or do here. The Roaring '20s-era Bagdad Theater & Pub features two on-site bars, plus a cigar lounge pairing Port wines with an array of Dominican, Jamaican, and Honduran smokes. More than 20 food trucks and carts are parked at the Asylum Food Pod, and kids and the young-at-heart play old-school pinball machines and retro arcade games at Quarterworld. Tacos at ¿Por Qué No? and Neapolitan pizza at Apizza Scholls are more must-try experiences.
Pearl District
Once a gray moonscape of warehouses, Portland’s Pearl District took on a kinetic vibrancy and cool, industrial-chic vibe in the 1990s. Young professionals now populate its converted lofts and modern condos. Lovers of great books flock to Powell’s Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore, and art connoisseurs admire the work of visual trend-setters at galleries like Elizabeth Leach Gallery. Families delight in the fountains at Jamison Square, while residents savor original recipes from around the world at restaurants like Andina, specializing in Peruvian cuisine. Another spot to hit is Deschutes Brewery, one of the many friendly places to sample local craft beers.
Nob Hill
Nob Hill in Northwest Portland is all about transformation. Old Victorian homes that once housed city luminaries are now trendy restaurants, theaters, galleries, and boutiques. Crowded sidewalks are a testament to Nob Hill’s international reputation as the best shopping spot in the city, and with downtown, Old Town Chinatown, and the Pearl District right around the corner, the location also provides easy access to many facets of the Portland experience. Other diversions include the local art theater Cinema 21, celebrated for its screenings of indie, foreign, classic, and limited-run films, along with the occasional Hollywood blockbuster.
Goose Hollow
Geese once ran wild in this historic Southwest Portland neighborhood. Today, it’s a popular place for those seeking both the exhilaration of a downtown and the slower tempo of a leafy suburb. Founded in 1845, the neighborhood has the best examples of classic architecture, from Portland foursquares to ornate mansions. Vista Avenue Viaduct, known by locals as Vista Bridge, offers spectacular views of the neighborhood and surrounding areas. Soccer fans know Providence Park as the home of the Portland Timbers, and Portland State University, Forest Park, and Burnside Street's restaurants, bars, and cafes are just a short walk away.
Sullivan’s Gulch
In the Northeast corner of Portland, residents of Sullivan’s Gulch enjoy a safe, affordable, and walkable oasis. A renter’s paradise, the neighborhood has an urban feel, with plenty of coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and entertainment options. The strong sense of community is fortified by a spectrum of shared experiences, including the outdoor adventures of Holladay Park. Extensive bike paths and the MAX light-rail system keep Sullivan’s Gulch connected to the quirky cultural vibrancy of downtown Portland. Forest Park, its 5,000 acres criss-crossed with wooded hiking trails, is just 10 minutes away.
Laurelhurst
Southeast Portland’s Laurelhurst began as one of the first ever planned neighborhoods; its tranquil streets are lined with vintage Craftsman to Tudor-style homes. Designed in the early 20th century by noted urban planner Emanuel Tilman Mische, a protégé of the Olmsted Brothers, Laurelhurst Park is a center of community activity, with walking paths, a dog park, and even a duck pond. Schools such as Laurelhurst Elementary have a stellar reputation, and the neighborhood is brimming with interesting things to do, from unique cafes and shops to the Hollywood Theatre, its marquee lit with the titles of classic films.
Lewis and Clark reached the end of their 4,000-mile journey across the continent at the Oregon coast in 1806. The trail had ended, but a new migration was just beginning, one that would populate the future American territory with new arrivals, new towns, and a kaleidoscopic diversity of neighborhoods. No longer best-kept secrets, these extraordinary communities still invite exploration, adventure, and discovery.
