NW Portland  History What is now one of the most popular places to live, eat and shop, used to be full of old warehouses, leftovers from the railroad tracks, and was largely ignored by most.  The main drag to visit is definitely NW 23rd St, but there are so many things to see and do in NW Portland, don’t just stop there.  Interspersed between the vintage apartment buildings and unique older homes are award winning restaurants and specialty shops, NW Portland is a far cry from where it began.  Most people who visit would love to live here, but even if you don’t you’ll probably spend a lot of time eating and shopping in this beautiful part of town! Description NW Portland is typically thought of as being North of Burnside Ave, and West of I-5.  NW 23rd st is the heart of NW Portland and has a very eclectic atmosphere.  The Portland streetcar travels a 4.8 mile continual loop from The Good Samaritan hospital on the north end or NW 23rd, down through to the Pearl District.  Since parking is at a premium in NW Portland, the streetcar and the other public transport options are handy when visiting or commuting to work in downtown.   On the weekends NW Portland is a very popular place for people who are shopping and eating out so be ready for crowds sampling the great restaurants and cafes.   With many options for produce, from a recently renovated Fred Meyer located just off Burnside Ave to some small local markets, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips.  You could leave NW, but if you live here, I’m not sure why. Our Favorite Spots NW 23rd St. is home to one of 2 Music Millennium locations in Portland.  A great independent record store that often has in-store concerts of local and nationally touring musicians, and has pretty much every CD you could want.  Just down the street you’ll find Coffee People, Portland’s other favorite coffee shop, stop in for coffee or one of their incredible milkshakes!  Papa Hydens is a local favorite for lunch and dinner, but especially for dessert.  There is no shortage of great places to eat, shop, or just relax in NW Portland. Residents NW Portland is the most popular place to live at the moment, drawing the younger urbanites, who work in the city and love living close to it as well.  The rest of NW Portland is for people who love vintage buildings, local coffee shops and a unique living environment.  The people who live here are as unique as the buildings, with an eclectic population adding to the character of the neighborhood.   Rental Housing You’ll find vintage apartment buildings next to funky rental homes, as well as many duplex/triplexes.  The biggest hurdle is finding parking, while many of the newer buildings will have garages, most only offer street parking, some even charge for spots just outside their buildings.  Other than the parking issue, some there are some amazing rentals here. Fun Stuff Just on the edge of NW Portland and Downtown lies one of the biggest independent booksellers in the country.  Powell’s City of Books has tens of thousands of books to pour over, and with over 4 levels to wander though, its easy to spend an entire day there. It’s a good thing they have such an efficient directory to help guide you, but there isn’t a better place to get lost for a book lover!