It's gorgeous! I used to visit Portland , going to Cannon Beach from Seattle- and going along Highway 26 through the farmland was the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen in all my travels! I always wanted to live here- and finally do! I have lived in the Portland area for since 1993. You are just an hour and a half from the breathtaking Oregon Coast- if you go up along 26 or hwy 30, it takes you north west to Cannon Beach, Seaside and Astoria- each one with it's own unique flavor and personality. If you go south along 99W, it takes you south west to Lincoln City , Newport , Pacific City and Sand Lakes- each of them as different from each other as they are from the northern towns. You can also take Highway 30 to the coast from Portland- and it goes along the Columbia River through the sleepy little towns of St Helens, Rainier and Warren ending up in Astoria and the huge bridge that goes over the Columbia River to Washington State .
If you go an hour east, you can be up in the mountains skiing or snow boarding on Mt Hood at 7000 feet, and if you take 26 a little bit farther, you will end up in the high desert and you can go on to Mt Bachelor and Sun River.
If you go along the Columbia River on I-84, through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge- past Multnomah Falls and the other 7 waterfalls- out to Hood River, a windsurfing capitol. Just a little farther on a flat highway, and you will be in the desert-at The Dalles- away from any clouds or rain that bother the western part of Oregon . I am writing an Oregon Guide with links and descriptions of some of my favorite places. Click here to go to it!
The city of Portland is awesome too. It is historic- I remember studying about it in the third grade..The Oregon Trail ! The Willamette Valley ! It is a beautiful city full of historic old houses with characters, and neighborhoods full of big trees. The city has had a rebirth over the last 5 years- all over the city you can hear hammers ringing out as the houses are restored and reborn! Little neighborhood cafes, whole food markets, and shops are popping up all over- people are out riding their bikes, walking and taking the Max, the streetcar and the buses. There are so many different neighborhoods with so many personalities. That is why I wrote my neighborhood guide, so you can read and search about the different neighborhoods and find the one that fits your personality, lifestyle and future goals. Cruise through the Neighborhood Guide. It's really detailed and full of maps,
There are 10 bridges that go across the river- Here they are in order from South to North:
The Sellwood Bridge connects Sellwood to John's Landing. Sellwood is an artsy area with a cool nature preserve called Oaks Bottom. John's Landing is the farthest north of the west city, and has Willamette Park- a huge park with boat launch, trail into the city, sports fields etc
The Ross Island Bridge is really Highway 26 that goes from the Oregon Coast up across Mt Hood. It's the best way to get from east to west. It usually runs pretty smoothly and quickly!
The Marquam Bridge is the Interstate 5 bridge- which goes across between Ross Island and Hawthorne, although you don't get on it either place!
The Hawthorne Bridge connects Front Street in SW Portland to the east side, taking you across to the Hawthorne Shopping District- which is full of cool old homes and trendy shops and restaurants,
The Morrison Bridge also goes from Front Street in downtown across and ends up running through the industrial area on the east side, then through Buckman and finally into the Sunnyside neighborhood- a really good residential area full of cool old homes.
The Burnside Bridge is next, connecting the Center of downtown- Chinatown area- at the dividing point of north and south--to the Lloyd Center area,
The Steel Bridge connects the Pearl District, NW downtown area to the Industrial area, Convention Center, Coliseum, Rose Garden area and the East Side Esplanade- which is a really cool floating walk-jog-bike trail that goes along the river. I've ridden on it, starting at Willamette Park -going through the city... right through the big fountain on Front Street- across the Steel Bridge, down the Floating Esplanade and back over the Hawthorne Bridge and back to John's Landing. It's an awesome ride!! The Max also goes across the Steele Bridge.
The Broadway Bridge connects Pearl District to E Broadway, which is s cool shopping District that borders Irvington.
The last bridge is the 405 Bridge which goes from Interstate 5 on the west side, through the west city and across the river- ending up on Fremont.
The St John's Bridge is the last bridge is quite a bit north- along highway 30 going towards Scappoose. It is a gorgeous historic bridge that has just finished extensive repairs- It links North Portland to the NW downtown area - just 10 minutes from downtown NW Portland.
Learn more about Portland Oregon and why you might want to buy a house there- Read my Free, all inclusive, online Portland Neighborhood Guide-It gives detailed descriptions of all the Portland Neighborhoods and towns around Portland with photos, maps, collages, history and links to parks, trails, schools, and more! The Portland Welcoming Committee in Pioneer Square gives out my website to people because they say it is the best guide to Portland neighborhoods!
Go to http://www.portlandcreativerealtors.com/main_Portland_neighborhood_guide.php
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