Throughout North Portland, new home owners are moving in and remodeling their turn-of-the-century homes. Listen closely and you can hear the nail guns and table saws restore the original beauty in these older homes. Fresh paint and tilled gardens reflect the pride in a neighborhood discovering itself.

Walk along Mississippi Street to watch how North Portland is coming alive. Just within the last couple of years, respected restaurants and eclectic stores have opened up to bring a new pocket of life to North Portland. This area is developing a typical Portland mix of urban and bohemian, upscale and down-to-earth. Homes in and near Mississippi are highly desired, reflecting how strongly community can attract people.

The Overlook area, just west of the MAX, sits on a bluff above the Willamette River, with views of downtown and Forest Park across the river. Homes here are quiet and refined, with a sense of community where neighbors greet each other as they walk around the blocks. To the north, the Piedmont and Kenton neighborhoods are mixing remodeled older homes with new affordable developments, creating a diversity of people that livens up the community. Piedmont in particular boasts trees decades old, creating lush canopies over stately homes. Spend the weekends walking through Peninsula Park, stopping to smell the roses or playing a little tennis.

Around the river to the northwest is University Park, surrounding the University of Portland, celebrating over a hundred years of education. People living here relish Columbia Park, 33 acres of mature trees, tennis courts, pools, picnic areas and much more. Finally, don't forget St. Johns, to the west of the university. Traditionally a blue-collar part of Portland, this area is also enjoying the revitalization happening throughout North Portland.