| Hawthorne is a classic neighborhood of Southeast | | | | teenagers and creative types, but tame enough to be |
| Portland, bordered on the North by Laurelhurst and | | | | safe and family-friendly. |
| nestled in the western foothills of Mt. Tabor. The | | | | Hawthorne’s location is central to other popular |
| neighborhood is enlivened by Hawthorne Boulevard, a | | | | Southeast streets and neighborhoods, such as |
| popular strip with countless restaurants, bars, new and | | | | Belmont, which is only six blocks north, and Division, |
| vintage clothing stores, record shops, bike shops, | | | | Clinton and 39th. Downtown Portland is easily |
| markets and even Fred Meyer and Safeway | | | | accessible from Hawthorne by bus, car and bike by |
| supermarkets. The street is made for walking, with a | | | | traveling straight down Hawthorne Boulevard and |
| majority of businesses close together in a span of | | | | across the Hawthorne Bridge. |
| about 15 blocks. The full length of businesses runs from | | | | Housing in this area tends to be affordable, though |
| 12th to 55th. | | | | home values have been on the rise here for a few |
| There is plenty of entertainment, including art galleries, | | | | years. With a mix of restored classic Portland houses |
| Bagdad Theater, Powell’s Books, plenty of coffee | | | | and attractive new condos, the area maintains a |
| shops, including Starbucks as well as many | | | | diverse population. There are many Craftsman style |
| independent cafés. A great feature on Hawthorne | | | | homes painted in cheerful palates, as well as Victorians |
| Boulevard is The Bagdad Theater, a historic Portland | | | | and bungalows. Well done homes on nice streets still |
| building that has been restored and turned into a | | | | command a premium for this close-in neighborhood. |
| cinema and pub, where you can enjoy a movie for $3 | | | | There is a genuine sense of community as you travel |
| while gorging on pizza and beer. | | | | through the residential sections of the Hawthorne |
| Nearby, on Belmont, is the Avalon Theater which | | | | neighborhood, and you are likely to see charming |
| features second-run movies and five cent arcade | | | | vegetable gardens in front yards, chalk drawings on |
| games, as well as Clinton Theater, which has been | | | | the sidewalk, and bicycle sculptures on porches. |
| providing Portlanders with their Rocky Horror fix for | | | | To get to the Hawthorne neighborhood from I-5, take |
| over thirty years. | | | | exit 300B, stay left at the fork on the exit ramp, and |
| The neighborhood is young, and full of college students, | | | | head straight onto Belmont St. Continue on Belmont to |
| as well as families with youngsters, laid-back | | | | 11th Ave, then turn right. Stay on 11th until you reach |
| professionals, and seasoned musicians and artists. The | | | | Hawthorne Blvd. Turn left and you’ll be heading up |
| neighborhood has a friendly, bohemian character, just | | | | the main section on Hawthorne. |
| rough enough around the edges to appeal to | | | | |