Getting Around the Kerns Neighborhood in NE Portland
Kerns Has One of the Best Commercial Areas Around
When it comes to centrally located neighborhoods in Portland that feature plenty of great places to eat, drink, and be merry with friends and as a family, Kerns is the cream of the crop. In Kerns, you’ll find yourself in close proximity to neighborhoods and shopping districts in the Northeast and Southeast quadrants. Chock full of residential buildings, historic homes, and new apartment buildings, Kerns is home to nearly 5,000 people, according to AreaVibes.com.
Wander around Kerns for just a few blocks and you’ll notice plenty of street and sidewalk art, as well as tons of cheap eats alongside charming date spots, bars, and parks. Stretching from the west side of the Willamette River running west to 32nd street, Kerns is home to both young artists looking for proximity to nightlife, and families who appreciate the tree-lined streets and close by Laurelhurst Park.
Welcome to One of the Most Walkable Neighborhoods in Portland
In 2016, Kerns scored a walkability score of 87 out of 100, according to PDX Monthly. The walkability score is judged by how easy it is to get around without a car or bike. You can also easily get to and around Kerns by bus; just hop on the #19, #20, or #12 from downtown to get to the urban core of the neighborhood. With a Max station at the Lloyd District, you may as well leave your car parked in the driveway.
Burnside, Sandy, 28th, and Stark are some of our favorite streets to wander around in Kerns. The Laurelhurst Theater, Ken’s Artisan Pizza, and Screen Door are just some of the best eats in all of Portland, and if you live in Kerns, you’ll probably be able to walk off your food coma on the way home.
Community and a Thriving Arts Scene Combine in Kerns
Check out the official Kerns Neighborhood website to find details about regular community street art mural painting sessions. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in mural painting sessions where donuts, fresh fruit, and pizza are provided for folks who come out to beautify the neighborhood together.
The mesh of commercial and residential property in such close proximity allows Kerns to function as a cosmos in its own right. You’ll find charming bungalows and cute craftsman style homes around the corner from some of Portland’s all-time favorite restaurants, like Navarre. In Kerns, it’s not rare to live on a quiet tree-lined street and still have walking access to some of Portland’s best bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping.
Green Space in Kerns
While Kerns is definitely one of the more urban neighborhoods in Portland, there are still plenty of parks within walking distance. Laurelhurst Park, located just east of Kerns’ boundary line, is one of Southeast Portland’s favorite spots for joggers, dog owners, frolicking kids, and picnickers.
The Buckman Field Park, though technically in the adjacent Buckman neighborhood, is also just blocks away the neighborhood line. Oregon Park, located between 29th and 30th street on SE Irving, is complete with a play area for kids and tons of towering evergreens.
Renting or Buying, Kerns Is the Best of East Portland
With 77% of the neighborhood population renting, Kerns is an excellent first neighborhood for folks moving to Portland from afar. The Kerns neighborhood is home to some of the best eateries, shops, and bars in both Northeast and Southeast Portland, not to mention that it’s where the infamous East Burnside is located.
Settle down in one of Kerns’ adorable craftsman style homes along a tree lined street just blocks away from your favorite shopping district for the best that Portland has to offer. And when you’re ready to buy a home, be sure to get in touch with the agents at Urban Nest– we know PDX, and we can’t wait to show you around town!