South Portland
Laid-Back Riverfront Community
Median Household Income
$93,388
Median Home Value
$572,600
Average Rent
$1,539
Walk Score
72
About South Portland
Bordering the west bank of the Willamette River, south of Downtown you’ll find the newly established South Portland. This laid-back river community was previously a part of Southwest Portland and was officially established in May 2020 as a way to fix an ongoing address grid issue. Over the next 5 years, the new grid system will eliminate SW addresses that previously had a leading zero, ultimately reducing confusion for first responders.
So what areas does South Portland include? The sophisticated high rise district, South Waterfront, sits along the northern edge of South Portland and is one of the largest urban renewal projects in the country. Portland chain restaurant favorites like Pizzicato, Cha Cha Cha!, and Elephants Delicatessen are scattered along the manicured shopping district and new green spaces like the South Waterfront Greenway and Elizabeth Caruthers Park provide peaceful escapes in the city. The convenient location allows for quick access to Downtown and the Eastside via the MAX Orange Line, Portland Streetcar, and the Tilikum Crossing pedestrian bridge.
Water lovers rejoice further south at boating hot spot Willamette Park. A soccer field, tennis court, and picnic area provide the perfect spot to enjoy the day with family before renting a kayak and hopping in the river. Have your own boat? No problem, there’s plenty of boat parking and an easy boat launch to set sail. Finish your day of adventure with a warm meal at Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille. The friendly ambiance, high-quality ingredients, and huge portions of Hawaiian favorites make this tropical oasis worth the stop!
Away from the river, “Old Portland” neighborhoods like Lair Hill highlight the city’s architectural history with rows of Victorian homes leading up to the Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) campus. For a quick commute to OHSU, take the aerial tram from the South Waterfront to the top of Marquam Hill and enjoy unmatched views of the city and Willamette River. In addition to traditional and victorian homes, newer condominiums are common in this area ranging from more affordable homes further south to luxury condominiums in the South Waterfront.
