Check out the newly updated neighborhood profile detailing the St. John’s District of the “fifth quadrant,” North Portland. Combining the best of urban accessibility and small town atmosphere, it’s a fantastic place to live. Check out some of the independent book and music stores in the city, catch some sun or a music festival at Cathedral Park, or ride your bike down the charming neighborhood streets. If you’re looking for homes, apartments, or condos for sale around the St. John’s District, check out this information page filled with the best restaurants in North Portland, the top parks, shopping, and neighborhood resources. Relocating to a new area can be hard, but it’s a lot easier when you’ve got the best real estate agents in Portland on your side.
Archive for the ‘Moving To Portland’ Category
UPDATED St. John’s Neighborhood Profile at Your Road Map to Home
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010New Affordable & Green, Architect-Designed Housing in Portland
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
You already know that Portland is a haven for sustainable living, but lot of people think that fully sustainable homes are only for the upper crust. Portland-based design group Minimalist+ is working to change that by bringing pre-fabricated and affordable stylish homes to the metro area. The houses are architect-designed, modern wonders that are assembled in local Portland warehouses, so little carbon is wasted on transportation. These little gems pop up in a matter of days using light panels, preserving surrounding trees and landscaping.
UPDATED Mississippi Neighborhood Profile at Your Road Map to Home
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Check out the newly updated neighborhood profile detailing the Mississippi District of the “fifth quadrant,” North Portland. Combining the best of urban accessibility and small town atmosphere, it’s a fantastic place to live. Check out some of the best food carts in the city, catch your favorite band at Mississippi Studios, or ride your bike down the charming neighborhood streets. If you’re looking for homes, apartments, or condos for sale around the Mississippi District, check out this information page filled with the best restaurants in North Portland, the top parks, shopping, and neighborhood resources. Relocating to a new area can be hard, but it’s a lot easier when you’ve got the best real estate agents in Portland on your side.
Oaks Park Rides are a Piece of Portland’s Past
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Before cars were the primary mode of transportation for Americans, trains, trolleys, and streetcars got people to their destinations, and trolley companies were always looking for ways to get more people to ride. One of the creative ways to get people on the rails was to get them to travel for recreation and bring their whole families to end-of-the-line Amusement Parks. In the late 19th and early 20th century, these amusement parks numbered in the thousands, featuring carousels, concerts and live entertainment, and picnic grounds near beaches or rivers for boating and water recreation. However, when cars started replacing other forms of transportation, most of these parks closed their gates and disappeared. Oaks Park Amusement Park in Portland is one of the few remaining trolley parks in the country, and it is still thriving.
Portland Named Best Street Food Destination in the World
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
According to Budget Travel magazine and CNN.com, Portland is the number one city in the world for street food, beating out the best of the rest. Portland’s food cart scene pulled ahead of fish tacos in Ensenada, bacalaítos in Puerto Rico, grilled-shrimp skewers and churros stuffed with dulce de leche in Rio, Belgian frites and grilled meat in Marrakech.
NEW Hillsdale Neighborhood Profile at Your Road Map to Home
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Check out the newest neighborhood profile detailing the Hillsdale District of Southwest Portland. Combining the best of urban accessibility and small town atmosphere, it’s a fantastic place to live. Walk your dog in one of the beautiful, lush parks, visit the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market for the best local produce, or step into the newly updated library as if it were your own private collection. If you’re looking for homes, apartments, or condos for sale around the Hillsdale District, check out this information page filled with historical facts, the best restaurants in Southwest Portland, and the top parks, shopping, and neighborhood resources. Relocating to a new area can be hard, but it’s a lot easier when you’ve got the best real estate agents in Portland on your side.
Your Own Exclusive Mountain Getaway… Contact Us Today!
Monday, July 19th, 2010
If these hot summer days have you dreaming of a mountain getaway, look no further than the Resort at the Mountain. Nestled on the western slopes of Mt. Hood, this accessible destination is less than an hour away from Portland but a world away from the hustle of bustle of city stress. Escape the hot concrete and traffic with your own private escape, and enjoy the best of mountain living with the amenities and luxuries of an exclusive resort. If you’ve enjoyed day trips to Mt. Hood, or have yet to make it out to one of the Northwest’s best recreational spots, it’s time to take the plunge. The mountains aren’t only great for winter sports; they also provide a refuge from high temperatures during the summer and ease a busy mind with serene views of trees, hills, and wildlife in their natural habitat.
The Real Estate Market’s Response to Interest in Walk Scores
Monday, July 19th, 2010
Trends in national real estate are showing that home buyers are increasingly interested in walkability, in many cases choosing smaller, more expensive, older houses with better access to amenities in pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. In addition to good schools, low crime rates, and big yards, today’s home buyers are paying more and more attention to the proximity of stores, coffee shops, theaters, and parks. Traffic congestion and long commutes have become a fact of life for many Americans living in urban areas, increasing the attractiveness of a home situated in a place that would encourage them to use their walking shoes more than their engines.
NEW Cultural District Neighborhood Profile at Your Road Map to Home
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
Check out the newest neighborhood profile detailing the Cultural District of Downtown Portland. It’s not just a great place to visit, it’s a fantastic place to live. Walk your dog along the park blocks, visit the Portland Farmers’ Market in your pajamas, or step into the Art Museum as if it were your own private art collection. If you’re looking for homes, apartments, or condos for sale around the Cultural District, check out this information page filled with historical facts, sightseeing in Downtown Portland, the best restaurants in Portland, and the top parks, shopping, and entertainment. Relocating to a new area can be hard, but it’s a lot easier when you’ve got the best real estate agents in Portland on your side.
Food Lover’s Guide to Portland
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Some of the most common requests we get from people who are visiting or considering relocating to Portland are pleas for restaurant suggestions in different areas of town. The McDonald Group is full of people who really love food, and Portland’s food scene in particular, but sometimes we bow to the experts. One of those local food experts is Liz Crain, the author of the Food Lover’s Guide to Portland, out this month and on sale at at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s Books, IndieBound or from your favorite local bookstore (in Portland, Powell’s is offering a major discount this month – 30% off!).
New Downtown Portland Urban Renewal Area Proposed
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
The Portland Development Commission has released their first draft of a new downtown urban renewal district including large sections of the South Park Blocks near Portland State University, and areas around PGE Park and downtown. The proposed area also includes most of the Con-way Inc. freight transport company site in Northwest Portland and the current location of Lincoln High School.
Double Decker Fun: Hip New Portland Tourist Idea
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
We’ll soon be seeing a new addition to the colorful assortment of vehicles on Portland streets. Joining the zebra-striped Smart Cars, hand-painted vans, and parades of colorful customized bikes, the new “Double Decker PDX” fleet will bring the iconic tall red buses from across the pond to the streets of Bridgetown. Claiming to be “Portland’s only luxury Double Decker charter/limousine service,” this new company will host tours and events for visitors and locals wanting a to see Portland and the surrounding areas from a different angle.
Summer Arts and Music on Main
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
As if there weren’t enough cool things to do in Downtown Portland this summer, the great people at Handmade NW and the Portland Center for the Performing Arts unveiled their new summer arts and free concert series today at the heart of the Cultural District.
The Art of the Cart: Portland’s Food Carts
Friday, June 18th, 2010
Portland is well known for its dining culture, and although our upscale restaurants are noteworthy, the real culinary gems are on wheels. Portland’s food cart scene has gotten a lot of attention from the New York Times, Bon Appetite, and Sunset Magazine, so you’ve probably heard rumors of the rebellious chefs leaving the restaurant world and taking on a micro-eatery in an old bus, truck, trailer, or train car. Take it from me, those aren’t just rumors. Any visit to Portland is incomplete without a visit to one (or six) of our food cart “pods,” what we call clusters of food carts that provide eats and drinks on the cheap. There are literally hundreds of carts around town–in parking lots, parks, front yards, college campuses–and each area offers its own distinct approach to small square-footage gourmet food.
5 Questions for Buyer’s Agent Peter Skei
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
We’re pleased to introduce Peter Skei, the newest member of the McDonald Group Realtors. Peter brings years of experience as a buyer’s agent in Portland, Oregon, as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of Portland neighborhoods, resources, and special events. I recently sat down with Peter to talk about his love of Portland, his experience in the local Real Estate market, and his ideas about the future with the McDonald Group. Here’s Peter!