There are so many wonderful neighborhoods to get to know in Portland, and I wanted to highlight some of the most vibrant; the ones where the community is so passionate, the businesses packing loyal customers in, and sought after homes sell quickly.
In this edition, I’m covering NE Alberta, famous as the Alberta Arts District, with so much culture and history woven throughout, and the adjacent NE Killingsworth blocks. Both stretch across neighborhoods officially called Vernon and Concordia, and are colorful, parks-adjacent and full of fun. Minutes away from Alameda Ridge, Beaumont Wilshire and Cully neighborhoods, you’re right in the middle of the action. To the West you’ve got Mississippi and lots of nightlife and live music.
I put together a Best-Of-List I made to share with folks I’ve helped get into homes here as well as for those visiting my listings recently sold in this NE gem of a location. Good homes here for first time home buyers? For investment properties? Check. For families? Check. For walkability and sweet livability? CHECK. Read on, and bookmark this to share with friends coming to visit. Ping me with additions you feel might be worthy, and I’ll update.
Alberta/Killingsworth Top Picks & Resources
General:
Neighborhood park – Fernhill Park
Community/Event:
- Last Thursday – Alberta Art walk/community – 15-block community event on NE Alberta Street between 15th and 30th Avenue from 6 -9 p.m.. In 2023, the event will take place on June 29, July 27, and August 31.
- Kennedy School – Food, fun, drinks, movies, events, soaking tubs, places to stay for folks visiting, your all around local McMenamins hang – 33rd & Ainsworth
- Farmers Markets – King (NE Wygant St &, NE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97211 – Sunday) or Cully {5011 NE 42nd Ave – Thurs)
Restaurants:
- Amazing stones-throw restaurant – Wilder. Wonderful food, great community place – walkable – no reservations – just off of Killingsworth at 30th
- Bakery/Cafe – Flour Market – just off of Killingsworth at 30th
- Toyshop Ramen – Excellent new Ramen place walkable to you
- Bae’s Chicken – Super fantastic fried/hot chicken place – new NE location
- Bar Cala – Wonderfully picturesque restaurant/bar on Alberta – a visual and literal feast
- Burgers/Bar/Fun – Tulip Shop Bar
- Radio Room – Restaurant/bar/DJ/great outdoor space on Alberta
- Extracto Coffee – Your closest and possibly hippest coffee place
- Expatriate – Fantastic close by cocktail bar
- Brooks Wine/Chocolate pairings – Ok, it’s Irvington, but still super close!
- Banh Mi Up Kitchen – Viet Namese/sandwiches, noodles, etc. on NE Alberta
- Pasture PDX – Great butcher, sandwich shop
Stores:
- Grocery – New Seasons
- Hardware – Hankins Hardware – MLK
- Garden Store/Landscaping Services – Portland Bloem 42nd & Alberta
- Zig Zag Vintage – Great selection of vintage stuff – good mens collection
- EcoVibe – Plants, home, decor – on Alberta
- Psychic Sister – Art, Vintage, Crystals, Tarot
Entertainment/Wellness/Sport:
- Yoga – People’s Yoga Killingsworth & 30th
- North Portland Bikeworks – Fantastic local Bike store
- Gladys – Bike store on Alberta
- Common Ground Wellness – Massage, soaking tubs, sauna – beautiful relaxing urban oasis 33rd/Alberta-ish
- Rose City Book Pub – Also Irvington but a great place to hang
- Alberta Rose Theater – Productions, small concerts, etc.
And if you’d like your own run-down and adventure tour of this fantastic spot – or any others – just say the word, I’d love to show you around.
Next up in my neighborhoods feature? Beaumont-Wilshire & Rose City Park!