Portland, Oregon Relocation & Neighborhood Guide
Welcome to Portland
Thinking about moving to Portland? Or maybe you’ve just arrived? Either way — you’re in for a treat. Portland is one of those rare cities that blends big-city creativity with small-town charm. This guide will help you decide if the Rose City is your next home (or make you feel even more confident about the choice you already made).
Quick Portland Facts
#1 in three categories: Portland leads all U.S. cities in the percentage of literate adults, the number of microbreweries, and yes… the number of strip clubs.
Record-holders: Home to the world’s largest bookstore (Powell’s City of Books) and the smallest city park in the U.S. (Mill Ends Park, 2.5 feet in diameter — allegedly built for leprechauns).
The rain thing: Everyone talks about it. We just… don’t. And locals? We don’t use umbrellas — it’s practically a badge of honor.
Best of both worlds: Equal distance from Mt. Hood and the Pacific Coast, meaning you can ski and surf in the same day.
Historic Benson Bubblers: Installed in 1912, these bronze drinking fountains still pour fresh water from the Bull Run Watershed 365 days a year.
Portland Neighborhood Overview
The city is divided into Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest, and North.
The Willamette River splits east from west.
Burnside Street divides north from south.
North Portland juts out above Alberta Street, doing its own thing entirely.
Generally:
East Portland = more residential, laid-back, and leafy.
West Portland = skyscrapers, city bustle, and more parking meters.
North Portland = eclectic and independent, with a mix of grit and charm.
Neighborhood Highlights
Northeast Portland
Alberta Street: A lively strip packed with art galleries, indie shops, and iconic eats like Pine State Biscuits (prepare for a life-changing relationship with gravy).
Burnside Skate Park: An under-the-bridge, DIY skate legend built by locals in 1990 — a counterculture hub with serious street cred.
Wonder Ballroom: Historic music venue hosting everything from indie rock to folk to metal, all inside a 1914 landmark building.
Southeast Portland
Mt. Tabor Park: A 196-acre park built on a dormant volcano, with trails, courts, and sweeping city views.
Pok Pok: Portland’s most famous Thai spot, serving authentic recipes straight from Thailand (no “fusion” here).
Laurelhurst Theater: $4 movies, no commercials, and a menu with beer and pizza — a beloved neighborhood staple.
Northwest Portland
Swifts at Chapman School: Every September, thousands of Vaux’s Swifts swirl into the school’s chimney at sunset — pure magic.
Casa Diablo: The world’s first vegan strip club. Only in Portland.
Forest Park: One of the country’s largest urban forests, with over 80 miles of trails.
Southwest Portland
Council Crest Park: The city’s highest point with views of five Cascade peaks on a clear day.
Dante’s Karaoke from Hell: A live band karaoke night that’s pure Portland weird.
Portland Saturday Market: A riverside tradition for local art, food, and music (open Sundays, too).
North Portland
Paul Bunyan Statue: A 31-foot roadside icon of the legendary logger.
Mississippi Avenue: Trendy shops, breweries, and lively patios like Prost.
Paxton Gate: An oddities store where you can find everything from framed tarantulas to taxidermy masks.
Portland’s Coolest Bridges
Portland isn’t called Bridgetown for nothing. Local favorites:
St. Johns Bridge
Fremont Bridge
Steel Bridge
Burnside Bridge
Hawthorne Bridge
The rest (we love you too, just less dramatically)
Getting Around Portland
MAX Light Rail: Affordable and efficient for crossing the city, getting to the suburbs, or heading to the airport.
Carshare: Car2Go and similar services make car access flexible without full-time ownership.
Biking: One of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S., with abundant lanes and racks. Public transit also welcomes bikes.
Taxis & Rideshare: Traditional taxis are rare; apps like Lyft and Uber are the go-to.
