About NW & SW Portland
NORTHWEST & SOUTHWEST PORTLAND
Northwest Portland is one of the few areas in Portland where it is possible to spend an afternoon hiking and an evening at the theater. It has it all: urban lofts and suburban estates, upscale restaurants and casual cooking, small boutiques and big box stores. Northwest Portland is also home to some of the most sought after neighborhoods in Oregon – the Pearl District, Nob Hill and Forest Heights.
Southwest Portland offers the perfect mix of beautiful neighborhoods and convenient retail districts. Downtown Portland is one of the most visited areas in Southwest Portland. MAX Light Rail travels through downtown, stopping within blocks of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Sought after urban living prompted several new condominium projects.
Neighborhoods
There are nine neighborhood associations in Northwest Portland: Arlington Heights, Forest Park, Goose Hollow, Hillside, Linnton, Nob Hill, Northwest Heights, Pearl District, and Sylvan Highlands. The Neighbors West/Northwest Coalition is a non-profit organization made of up members from each neighborhood association to represent the interests of all of Northwest Portland. The Pearl District is a former warehouse and industrial district. It has been transformed into mix of original industrial buildings renovated into lofts and brand new high-rise condos. There are boutiques, restaurants and art galleries scattered throughout. Nob Hill is a mix of historic homes, apartments, casual dining restaurants, coffee shops and retail shops, encompassing the area between Northwest 21st and 23rd Avenues from Burnside to N.W. Vaughn. Forest Heights is a residential neighborhood nestled into the West Hills. Estate homes are built on large lots and offer views of the surrounding neighborhoods, a true premier neighborhood.
There are 16 neighborhoods in Southwest Portland: Arnold Creek, Ashcreek, Bridlemile, Collins View, Crestwood, Southwest, Hayhurst, Hillsdale, Homestead, Maplewood, Markham, Marshall Park, Multnomah, South Burlingame, and West Portland Park. Southwest Neighborhoods is a non-profit coalition with representatives from each neighborhood association and three business associations. Downtown Portland also makes up a significant portion of Southwest Portland. Although downtown is best known for shopping, dining and entertainment, there has been explosive residential growth in the area resulting in new condominiums popping up. Multnomah Village is another neighborhood that combines residential and retail districts. It is home to small cottages, new townhouses and a retail core.
Industry & Employers
As a gateway to the high-tech corridor, Northwest Portland residents often commute to work in Beaverton and Hillsboro. 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.
Downtown Portland creates the true hustle and bustle of the economic heartbeat of Oregon. Oregon Health and Sciences University, Providence Health System, and Safeway are just a few of the major employers located in Southwest Portland.
Transportation
Portland is known for its transportation innovations. MAX Light Rail runs through downtown Portland, linking it from Hillsboro to the Portland International Airport. Tri-Met also offers regular bus service throughout Portland and its suburbs including Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego and Gresham. Parking is at a premium in most areas of Northwest Portland, making alternative transportation options the norm. Residents often take the Portland Streetcar from Northwest Portland to downtown Portland and Portland State University. Starting in 2001, the service has grown to 42 stops along a 7-mile loop. Another popular transportation option is Flexcar. Throughout Portland, the car-sharing program allows members to borrow cars from designated pick-up areas.
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. There are also several private schools and continuing education classes in Northwest and Southwest Portland.
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 and Southwest Portland including Portland State University (PSU), Oregon Health Science University (OHSU), Oregon College of Art and Craft, Art Institute of Portland and Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA).
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
The parks in Northwest Portland offer a variety of scenery. There are small neighborhood parks like Couch Park and Hillside Park as well as expansive urban retreats like Forest Park. Jamison Square, with it’s large fountain, sits in the heart of the Pearl District and draws residents in the heat of the summer. Tanner Springs is the newest Park in the Pearl District, designed as a wetland habitat.
Southwest Portland boasts dozens of parks and recreation facilities. Neighborhood parks like Burlingame Park, Gabriel Park and Marshall Park offer picnic areas, walking trails, playgrounds and sports fields. Portland Parks and Recreation maintain several nature parks in Southwest Portland including Marquam Nature Park, a 175-acre recreation area with hiking trails that wind through the woods with an abundance of native plant species. Southwest Portland is also the site of the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden and Hoyt Arboretum.
Arts & Entertainment
Northwest Portland is filled with 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.
Southwest Portland is home to the Portland Art Museum, which just completed a $125 million renovation, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and Keller Auditorium where world-class performers and local actors take the stage. Special events like the Singing Christmas Tree and the Nutcracker are performed downtown alongside performances by the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Ballet Theatre.
Festivals & Events
During the spring and summer in Northwest Portland, 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. 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.
Pioneer Courthouse Square is in the heart of Southwest Portland and hosts special events. It is known as one of the best places for people watching, earning the nick-name, “Portland’s Living Room.” Annual events at Pioneer Courthouse Square include Noon Tunes and Flicks on the Bricks. The Portland Farmers Market runs from April through December on the South Park Blocks. One of the most popular annual events in Portland is the Rose Festival. The highlight of the June event is the Grand Floral Parade. Other favorite Rose Festival activities include Dragon Boat Races, the Waterfront Village and Fleet Week.
