A Plethora of Parks

It is not only the abundant choices for dining, entertainment, and shopping that make southeast so desirable but also the plethora of parks. Most homes in Southeast Portland are within a half-mile from a green space!

In the early 1900s, landscape architect John C. Olmsted, designer of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition fairgrounds, consulted with the city on the development of a city-wide park system. Unfortunately, the city couldn’t complete much of the design due to financing. We do, however, have Olmsted to thank for influencing the design of Laurelhurst and Mt. Tabor Parks — two of Portland’s premier outdoor destinations. 

The pleasant residential streets surrounding Laurelhurst Park compose not only one of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods, but one of the first planned neighborhoods ever. While most neighborhoods developed around growing manufacturing and industry, Laurelhurst was a planned community, built around a beautiful city park and Coe Circle. 

The architecture here is rich with homes built in the Arts and Crafts, Bungalow, Portland Foursquare, and Spanish Revival styles — many of which are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 30 acres Laurelhurst Park now covers once served as a dairy farm which belonged to William Ladd until 1909. The spring-fed pond — now a popular place to picnic —, was a watering hole for cattle in the late 1800s. With nearly 1,000 trees growing within the perimeter of the park, along with numerous paths to stroll, the park is a favorite spot for residents of all ages to relax.

East of Laurelhurst is the Mt. Tabor neighborhood. Once home to many of the farms that contributed to Southeast Portland’s early food-related industry, the original roads built around farms still weave their way through the neighborhood. Mt. Tabor Park, a 196-acre plot of land on an extinct volcanic cinder cone, is located in the heart of the neighborhood. City residents started using the area in 1894 when two reservoirs were built there. However, the space didn’t become a park until 1903. The parks’ naturalistic design lends itself to a multitude of curving paths and native plants where one can find a bit of serenity amidst the bustle of the city. Beyond the park lies easy access to the best the southeast side of Portland has to offer, with trendy Belmont Street, Hawthorne Avenue, and the Clinton/Division district spreading westward.

Plenty of Food and Fun

West of Mt. Tabor are the Sunnyside and Richmond neighborhoods — home to Hawthorne Avenue, Clinton Street, and Division Street — all notable for their extensive lineup of restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Combine these features with the easy commute via public transit and bike, and it’s easy to see why this is such a desirable place to live.

Hawthorne Avenue was once a farm-to-market road used to transport the harvest from the slopes of Mt. Tabor to city buyers. These days you can find restaurants with lines out the door. ¿Por Qué No? has some of the best tacos in the city and a rotating selection of aqua fresca. Apizza Scholls makes every pizza to order, and when the dough runs out, the doors close. If you are looking for a sandwich, Lardo never fails to please (just make sure you order a side of their dirty fries with marinated peppers and fried herbs!). 

A few blocks south of Hawthorne Avenue is the Clinton/Division District. In the last decade, this neighborhood has taken off. Clinton and Division streets both feature culinary favorites like the  renowned Pok Pok, Jacquline, Ava Gene’s, and the innovative ice cream shop Salt & Straw. These popular destinations make the street seem to always be filled with revelers. In contrast to the bustling commercial area, the residential streets are peaceful, lined with craftsman homes and well-tended gardens. The neighborhood is home to families and single adults alike.

Within the 19 neighborhoods located in Southeast Portland, the range of home and rental value varies greatly One thing’s for certain, however: it’s one of the most sought after places to live in the city. According to statistics found on the websites GreatSchools.org and Niche.com, Southeast Portland schools rank consistently high. In addition to the area’s high ranking public schools, families also appreciate the area’s proximity to specialized charter and magnet schools such as Le Monde French Immersion, Portland Arthur Academy Charter School, and Richmond Elementary Magnet School. The ease of commuting, endless opportunities for exploring great restaurants and bars, and proximity to some of Portland’s most beautiful parks, make living in Southeast Portland so desirable.

The high demand for available housing in Southeast Portland makes it a great opportunity for homeowners to transform their property into a profitable rental. At Rent Homes Portland by Darla Andrew we can assist with important details such as tenant screening, lease agreements, and 24/7 emergency maintenance service. Contact us for a free rental analysis of your property by simply filling out the form on our website.  We’ll handle all the details of managing your property so that you can rest assured your investment is well-maintained and occupied by dependable tenants. We’re here to help turn your home into an investment. If you’d like to learn more, call or text Darla Andrew today at (503) 515-3170.