Get to Know Your New Portland Neighborhood
Map designed by Edward Juan. Available on Buy Olympia
Portland is a neighborhood-focused city. We love our city overall, but we also have fierce loyalty to our neighborhoods - the people and the amenities that are within walking distance of our front door.
So let’s say you just bought a home in a new neighborhood. What an exciting time! Even if your new home is in an area of Portland you think you know, like the popular Alberta Arts district, Mississippi Ave. or Kenton, no one knows a neighborhood like a neighbor does. It’s time to go exploring your new Portland neighborhood!
Set Out on Foot
Leave the bike in the garage, definitely keep the car parked, and go for a stroll. When you’re casually walking, you will see things from a completely different vantage point. The slow pace of walking affords the opportunity to spot places you just wouldn’t notice otherwise.
Give Yourself Time
Perhaps it’s a Saturday morning. Stroll out for a coffee, then meander the neighborhood. Plan a day when you don’t have to rush to be elsewhere so you can take your time exploring and peeking into windows, stopping into shops. Head down the alleys, look for shops around the corner and stay open to the adventure of it all.
Introduce Yourself
Business owners love to know the neighbors! Don’t be shy about introducing yourself and letting the staff know you’re new to the neighborhood. Sure, you may not remember each others’ names, but the act of introducing yourself goes a long way toward establishing friendships in your neighborhood.
Plus, neighbors are sometimes treated to slightly better service - might even get a discount or a bigger scoop of ice cream. You never know!
Shop Local
If you know you could buy an item at Fred Meyer but you suspect it might be available at a local shop, venture to the local shop. The adventure of hunting for an item can lead you to discover all sorts of other offerings from your local shops.
In the end, you may wind up returning to Fred Meyer for that original item, but there is no doubt you will come out the other side much more knowledgeable about what’s available in your neighborhood.
Ask the Neighbors
It’s fun to get to know your new neighbors, but sometimes it can be challenging to find things to talk about beyond the weather, kids, dogs and gardens. Next time you’re chatting over the fence or across the driveway, why not ask them for their recommendations? What’s their favorite breakfast place without a line? Where do they like to grab a quick dinner?
Insight from longtime residents is even better. People love to share their ideas and insight, so these conversations will go a long way toward helping you and your neighbors warm up to each other and develop a neighborly relationship.