By Living Room Realty, October 15, 2019
Hi readers! In today’s installment in my #realestatelife I get to tell you about my personal neighborhood: Mock Crest. It’s nestled between Kenton and St. Johns (NoPo Pro Tip note: it’s St. Johns not St. John’s), between Lombard and the curves of Willamette, down from the University of Portland. It’s a great place to bike/walk/run/wander. It’s also home to the giant blue Victorian that’s currently a U of P rental on Willamette, built by the neighborhood’s namesake, John Mock.
Aside from the Mock House, homes here are mostly traditional, Cape Cod or Bungalows, with the occasional ranch (my jam) peppered in. The streets are lined with Lindens, which are beautiful in fall but kind of pains in the A the rest of the year — they’re year-round producers of pollen, seeds and need TLC. But, they’re great for swings and sure do create a picturesque backdrop. If you’re looking for an awesome place to Trick-or-Treat with the kiddos this year, this neighborhood is a great option. Our neighbor Jeanne at the end of the block gives out full size Snickers bars, which pretty ruined it for the rest of us. 
If you’re a burger fan like me, let me tell you – THE BEST ONES IN PORTLAND can be found at the Mock Crest Tavern. If Linda is on the grill, you’re especially lucky, she’s a burger artist. The tots are perfectly crispy, and there’s great live music/open mic nights.
O.P.I. Nails on Lombard is the place for some pamperin’ if you’re in the area. Tu, the owner, remembers everyone’s name. It’s kind of weird and definitely awesome. Their spa pedicures are legit and they do a great stone massage on your legs. Ahhhhhh.
Columbia Pool, which is run by PP&R, is a great neighborhood indoor pool. They have terrific instructors and public swim times / lanes. The pool itself can get a little muggy and stuffy since it’s indoor, so be sure to layer if you are going to be a spectator. Be sure to walk around Columbia Park – it’s real pretty and was designed by the same architect as Central Park in NYC.
Every Thursday night on the way home from Parkour at The Playground Gym, we swing by Bong Teriyaki – which is in the Mock Crest Grocery building. Their spicy chicken combo is so good, and the family-run business provides consistently friendly and fast customer service. The servings are ginormous and my boys always eat all their dinners, veggies included. #Winning!
While not technically part of Mock Crest, Harper’s Playground is our family’s weekend stop. We even get to let Roz (our Boston Terrier/Boxer/Pit Bull) run free at the off-leash dog park. The playground was designed with mobility in mind, and features wheelchair- and walker-accessible play areas. There’s a huge baseball and soccer field, tennis courts and restrooms. Basically, a terrific place to picnic and while away a Sunday morning after soccer. We have our son Boone in Soccer Shots, which has regular practices there.
What’s also great, is there are some wonderful homes in the area available now! Take a look HERE and if you see anything that catches your eye, please reach out. It would be my pleasure to welcome you to the neighborhood.
Till then, high fives,
Maker!