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Northwest Portland
Northwest Portland has it all: urban lofts and suburban estates, upscale restaurants and casual cooking, small boutiques and big box stores.
It is one of few areas in Portland where it is possible to spend an afternoon hiking in fleece and an evening at the theater in a gown, all within a few miles from home.
Northwest Portland is also home to some of the hottest neighborhoods in the entire state – the Pearl District, Nob Hill and Forest Heights.
Demographics
Population
Northwest Portland: 1.95 million
Climate:
Average high 80 degrees (June-Sept)
Average low 34 degrees (Nov-Mar)
Precipitation:
37 inches per year
Size in square miles: 130
Neighborhoods
There are a total of nine neighborhood associations in Northwest Portland:
Arlington Heights
Forest Park
Goose Hollow
Hillside
Linnton
Nob Hill
Northwest Heights
Pearl District
Sylvan Highlands
The Neighbors West/Northwest Coalition is a non-profit organization that is made of up members from each neighborhood association to represent the interests of Northwest Portland as a whole.
The Pearl District is a former warehouse and light industrial district that has been transformed into an upscale mixed-use neighborhood in Northwest Portland. The area has a mix of original industrial buildings that have been renovated into lofts and brand new high-rise condos. There are also boutiques, restaurants and art galleries scattered throughout the Pearl District.
Nob Hill encompasses the area between Northwest 21st and 23rd Avenues from Burnside to N.W. Vaughn. It includes a mix of historic homes and apartments as well as casual dining restaurants, coffee shops and retail shops.
Forest Heights is a residential neighborhood nestled into the West Hills. The estate homes are built on large lots and offer outstanding views of the surrounding neighborhoods, earning Forest Heights a reputation as one of the premier residential areas in Northwest Portland.
Industry & Employers
Northwest Portland is the gateway to the high-tech corridor and residents often commute to work in Beaverton and Hillsboro.
The thriving retail and restaurant districts in Northwest Portland offer an abundance of sales and service jobs available.
Major employers with headquarters in Northwest Portland include Legacy Health System, Columbia Sportswear and Schnitzer Steel Industries.
Transportation
Parking is at a premium in most areas of Northwest Portland, making alternative transportation options the norm in these neighborhoods.
Residents often take the Portland Streetcar from Northwest Portland to downtown Portland and Portland State University. The service started in 2001 and has grown to include 42 stops along the 7-mile loop.
Tri-Met offers regular bus service throughout Portland and its suburbs including Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego and Gresham.
Flexcar is another popular transportation option in Northwest Portland. The car-sharing program allows members to borrow cars from designated pick-up areas throughout Portland as an alternative to the high cost of car ownership.
Schools
Northwest Portland straddles the boundaries of Multnomah and Washington counties and residents are either part of Portland Public Schools or the Beaverton School District. Both districts have excellent schools including Forest Park Elementary School, Cedar Park Middle School and Lincoln High School.
Metropolitan Learning Center is an alternative school focused on experiential learning, character development and community service. It serves students in kindergarten through high school from around the region.
There are several colleges in Northwest Portland including the Oregon College of Art and Craft, Art Institute of Portland and the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA).
Oregon College of Art and Craft offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts and certificate in crafts for students who want to pursue art as a career.
The Art Institute of Portland offers Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in a range of programs from media arts to industrial design.
PNCA offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fine arts as well as continuing education classes.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
The parks in Northwest Portland are as varied as the neighborhoods. There are small neighborhood parks like Couch Park and Hillside Park as well as expansive urban retreats like Forest Park.
Forest Park has the honor of being the largest urban park in the U.S. It has more than 50 miles of hiking trails and is home to 112 bird species.
Jamison Square is tucked into the heart of the Pearl District and its draw is a large fountain that is an excellent place to beat the heat during the summer months.
The newest park in Northwest Portland is Tanner Springs Park in the Pearl District. It was designed as a wetland habitat and includes a dock where visitors can admire the wildlife.
Arts and Entertainment
Northwest Portland is best known for its art galleries. In 2006, Portland Center Stage (PCS) opened the Gerding Theater at the Armory in the Pearl District. PCS hosts award-winning national performances as well as regional plays throughout the year.
Festivals and Events
There is always something happening in Northwest Portland.
During the spring and summer, the Portland Farmers Market operates in the Pearl District three times a week. More than 100 vendors sell regional produce, gourmet foods, organic beef and fresh flowers.
Art in the Pearl showcases the work of talented artists from the U.S. and Canada. A total of 25 artists participate in the event and their specialties range from mixed media and painting to sculpture and ceramics. It also features food vendors, live entertainment and arts and crafts activities.
The streets of the Pearl District are filled with art enthusiasts during First Thursday. As its name suggests, the event takes place on the first Thursday of every month when galleries are open extended hours and the public is invited to view artwork.
Shopping and Dining
There is no better place to shop in all of Oregon than Northwest Portland. Local boutiques sell one-of-a-kind finds, vintage items and haute couture and award-winning chefs serve up gourmet fare at local restaurants.
Powell’s is the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world. Its flagship location on West Burnside has books from floor-to-ceiling on several different floors. The shop also holds author readings and purchases used books.
Local stores like Kitchen Kaboodle, Hanna Andersson, Lucy, Bella Casa and Relish line the streets alongside national chains like Design Within Reach, French Quarter Linens, Adidas and Anthropologie.
Shoppers who work up an appetite can stop at Rose’s Deli, Blue Moon Tavern and Grill, Everett Street Bistro, Andina or Bluehour or grab a drink at Bridgeport Brewpub, Vault Martini or Laurelwood Public House.
Pet Central
There are perhaps no neighborhoods that are more pet-friendly than those in Northwest Portland.
Shops like Pearl Retriever and Urban Fauna cater to pet lovers, selling treats, clothing, food and accessories to four-legged customers.
One of the most popular gathering spots for dog owners is LexiDog. The Pearl District location has a boutique and a doggie daycare as well as weekly play groups for dogs and their owners.
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