Getting Around the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood in SE Portland

Exploring Southeast Portland’s Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood

There have been a lot of changes in the neighborhood fabric of southeast Portland in the past couple years. Lents has suddenly become trendy, homes on Hawthorne are giving way to condos, and once-unfamiliar neighborhood names like Mt. Scott-Arleta have become easily recognizable. Another southeast area currently facing change is the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood.

Set in charming Southeast Portland, the Brentwood-Darlington area is making changes for the better. Always a residential area, this neighborhood is taking strides to become a more family-focused and community-conscious neighborhood. Quickly gaining attention from Millennials and young Portland residents, this neighborhood is one you’ll definitely want to add to your home-shopping list.

Strong Community Ties in This Portland Neighborhood

A hub of residential parks and sidewalk-chalk-colored streets, the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood thrives on community. The vice chairman for the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association, Jacob Sherman, claims: “I think a lot of people recognize that our neighborhood is a very affordable and family-friendly place to live.”

Other residents echo these sentiments. Once looked at as “deep south,” Brentwood Darlington is now revered as what “southeast Portland neighborhoods used to be when I grew up here 20 years ago,” according to Portland local Bradley Vaughan.

But don’t take our word for it, there’s more evidence of strong community roots just by looking at the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association. Considering their newsletters, open forums for resident feedback, and an Annual Neighborhood Night Out Party, the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association strives to foster a family-friendly community.

Nature in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood

If you’re a pet owner who loves indulging your dog in outdoor play, or you’re eager to keep your kids outside and away from television this summer, you’ll relish the amount of green space in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood.

One of the largest green areas in Brentwood-Darlington comes in the form of Errol Heights Park, a sprawling community area that boasts city funding for plans to “transform Errol Heights Park into the hybrid natural area and developed park envisioned in the 2005 park Master Plan.” Brentwood City Park is also a popular outdoor space, as some Portland residents claim it’s one of the city’s best dog parks.

Safety in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood

A neighbor to Lents, we know it’s wise to ask a few key questions about safety in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood. While the area’s proximity the Spring Water Corridor has lead to slightly higher crime rates compared to other Portland neighborhoods, the good news seems to outweigh the bad.

For starters, the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association recognizes the need to keep its close-knit community safe. The Association regularly holds meetings where residents address key safety concerns including dilapidated house fronts, uneven sidewalks, and crime on the streets.

With a dedicated community service committee and an active presence on the Next Door app, Brentwood-Darlington residents have proven that it’s a neighborhood dedicated to proactive safety measures, and it shows promise for further improving its current crime rate.

Put Down Roots in the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood

As Portland grows and adapts, Brentwood-Darlington continues to emerge as an up-and-coming neighborhood. If you’re a first-time buyer, or if you’re on the hunt to relocate to a family-friendly area, consider starting your search for a home in Brentwood-Darlington today.

[image via: PortlandOregon.gov]