Drive west across the Broadway Bridge, over the Willamette River, off the new Lovejoy ramp and discover a brand new Northwest
Portland. These neighborhoods of densely-packed turn-of-the-century homes have long been known as Portland's answer to upscale
urban living, focused around the extensive shopping and nightlife on NW 23rd and 21st. But this urban center has changed
radically in the last few years, mostly thanks to the explosive growth of The Pearl.
Wander around the new high-rise lofts and condos, peek into art galleries, partake in the fine shopping and dining. Watch the
kids play in Jamison Square, an urban park that continues the Portland tradition of encouraging people, especially kids, to get
themselves soaked in the public fountains. Marvel that only a handful of years ago this area used to be a decaying blight of
ancient light industrial warehouses. And it's still changing. The Brewery Blocks, where Henry Weinhard's stood for well over a
hundred years, is now a collection of restaurants, galleries, and even Whole Foods, the market that cemented The Pearl as a
place to live.
Livability was further enhanced by the Portland Streetcar, connecting NW 23rd to The Pearl to downtown to Portland State, and
soon to the RiverPlace area. Every few minutes you can hop on the streetcar and relax as you move around town, without worrying
about parking or nutty drivers. Smart transportation options like this are what makes Portland special.
Living here in the Northwest, you get the perfect combo of urban and forest. Within minutes, you can hike into the jewel of
Northwest, Forest Park, the largest wilderness park within city limits in the United States with over 50 miles of hiking
trails. Soothing sounds of birds and creeks melt away the hassles of the workday. Or just sit and enjoy the fresh air. This
combination attracts many people to Northwest Portland, all the fun of the city plus all the relaxation of the forest.
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