Eastmoreland Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon

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Trees. Lots and lots of trees. The northwest is known for being green, literally and figuratively. But the neighborhood of Eastmoreland is seriously green. Walking down the streets of the neighborhood, crossing SE Bybee, Knapp and Claybourne, there is no end to the trees. As I took a stroll through the neighborhood, I was in awe of the beautiful houses, the expanse of trees and the peace that held it all together. All I could hear was soft wind blowing through the, yes, trees. And breaking the silence from somewhere nearby were soft cheers. I was curious as to what was going on, so I followed the voices and ended up at Duniway Elementary School, where a summer soccer camp was happening for the kids in the neighborhood. A local named Sharon who lives on a corner across from Duniway came outside her home because she was curious too at what all the shouting was about. Unsurprisingly in this Portland neighborhood, it was the kids.

Family Friendly

Eastmoreland is a great neighborhood for families, says Sharon who has lived in the neighborhood for forty years. She was telling me how many young families there are in the area, which makes sense because the school is nearby and easy to get to. When it comes to Duniway and the neighborhood association, locals are “very active and supportive,” says Sharon.

Homes & Real Estate

Another great thing about the neighborhood, when it comes to real estate, is its architectural diversity. Sharon says it is not a “cookie cutter neighborhood” like you can find so many other places. And her statement is definitely true. I did not see two houses that were alike in the Eastmoreland neighborhood, if you set aside their infatuation for red painted doors, which I saw every block or two. But even red doors have their quirks. I asked Sharon if the families usually stay in Eastmoreland after the kids grow up, and she said that most families stay “if they can afford it.” There is good value in the neighborhood because of the houses and the location. Interest rates are low and the neighborhood continues to stay strong and stable, despite the struggling housing market, because it is in such a desirable location. Sharon states that the housing market has affected it in the past few years, but it continues to thrive.

And while there are a number of homes that are undoubtedly large and expensive in Eastmoreland, there are also homes in the neighborhood that are smaller, more affordable, and equally integrated into the area.

Local Businesses

There aren’t many businesses in the neighborhood; it is first and foremost a residential neighborhood, tucked in the southeast pocket of Portland. But there is one popular business, the Eastmoreland Market & Kitchen, which has been serving locals since the early 1900s. Laura is an employee at the Eastmoreland Market & Kitchen, which sells everything from imported wines and cheeses to Coca-Cola by the bottle. Providing fresh deli, produce and all the other grocery needs of locals, the market also consists of a café that serves fresh bagels, sandwiches, baked goods and Blue Kangaroo Coffee.

The Customers

Laura, who was working at the espresso machine and the cash register, said that customers are mostly locals. The market keeps accounts for local families, so that kids can come in after school and put purchased items on their family’s tab. The ‘small town feel’ is another appeal to Eastmoreland that makes it another great place to raise a family in Portland. Even while I was in the Eastmoreland Market, there were a group of young girls that came in to grab a Popsicle. Not only is the neighborhood small enough for kids to go to the market with friends, it is safe enough.

Reed College

The prestigious liberal arts college, located on 39^th and SE Woodstock, just on the Northern border of the Eastmoreland neighborhood. The university has many beautiful brick buildings and huge, lush, green fields that cover the rest of the campus. Reed is unique for its highly structured academic program that balances academic requirements and in-depth study in a chosen independent study. The college enrolls approximately 1,400 students each year.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

A beautiful seven-acre garden containing an enormous collection of rare species and hybrid rhododendrons, as well as azaleas and some other lesser known plants. The garden is run by volunteers, and heavily supported by locals and visitors who come out to visit any time of the year. The Crystal Springs Lake, which feeds into the garden, attracts countless aquatic birds such as ducks and geese, which nest and feed in the natural habitat. The setting is regarded as a photographer’s dream, and it’s easy to forget that downtown Portland is only minutes away.

Eastmoreland Golf Course

A historic site in Eastmoreland that began in 1916 and is now ranked by Golf Digest as one of America’s top public courses in the country to play on. The course is bordered by the Rhododendron Garden and Crystal Springs Lake, which bring beautiful scenery to the game of golf.

Moreland Farmer’s Market

Wednesdays in May through September from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm the Moreland Farmer’s Market happens on SE Bybee at 14th. The Farmer’s Market hosts local farmers who sell fresh fruits & vegetables for good prices, as well as other vendors who sell things such as homemade honey, Italian Ice, homemade chocolate and more. There’s also live music and a vibrant crowd of people that create an excellent atmosphere.

Eastmoreland Annual Garage Sale

Eastmoreland holds an annual garage sale which is unofficially named the “Northwest’s Largest Garage Sale.” In 2009 the garage sale was hosted by over 140 homes in the Eastmoreland neighborhood. The 25th Annual Eastmoreland Garage Sale is happening Saturday, June 26th and Sunday, June 27th.

Eastmoreland, At a Glance

This SE Portland neighborhood is a vibrant area, with lots of opportunities and activities for families looking to settle down. It’s beautiful, quiet, and one of Portland’s best kept secrets.

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This post was written by...

Scott Krager – who has written 11 posts on Portlanders.

Scott Krager is the founder of portlanders.com. He lives in Portland, Oregon, spending most of his time writing, coding, and avoiding the rain. Scott doesn't like to run but forces himself at least once a week. Google+ | Twitter | Quora | LinkedIn