The Buckman neighborhood of Portland ranges from the rustic charm of the industrial district’s railyards and warehouses to hip shopping, dining and nightlife options on the main thoroughfares of Hawthorne, Belmont, and Burnside and quaint, tree-lined residential roads in between.
There’s a lot to love about this neighborhood. Buckman offers a mix of modern, upscale apartments as well as enchanting, historic buildings over a century old. From bustling food cart pods and breweries to quiet coffee shops and picture-perfect streets for strolling and biking, there are endless options for entertainment.
Where is the Buckman neighborhood in Portland?
Buckman is in inner southeast Portland. Its western border is the Willamette River. Buckman contains everything between the lateral boundaries of East Burnside Street to the north and SE Hawthorne Boulevard to the south. Its eastern border is SE 28th Avenue.
The area ZIP Code is 97214, which extends a bit further beyond Buckman east to SE 42nd Avenue and south to SE Division Street.
Source: Rent.
Buckman’s central location makes it easy to explore on foot, but what about commuting via bike or public transit? How much does it cost to live in such a convenient location? There’s a lot to ponder when considering each of Portland’s unique neighborhoods. Here’s the rundown on Buckman:
- Studio average rent: $1,491
- One-bedroom average rent: $1,844
- Two-bedroom average rent: $2,758
- Walk score: 93
- Bike score: 96
- Transit score: 63
Living in Buckman
Becoming a resident of the Buckman neighborhood means being in the heart of Portland’s eccentric eastside. Shopping, dining and entertainment are easily accessible. Yet charming, tree-lined residential streets bordered by beautiful, historic homes and peaceful parks are never far, either.
Walking and biking
Fortunately, Buckman is a paradise for pedestrians and pedalers alike. Enjoy strolling the sidewalks of the busier business districts while doing some window shopping and taking in the tantalizing smells wafting from the doorways of the many restaurants along the way, or pop over to the shady backstreets for a more peaceful pace.
The main thoroughfares all have wide bike lanes with plenty of signage for cyclists. But Buckman also offers beautiful neighborhood greenways that are great for biking. These quiet, slow streets prioritize travel by foot or bike with traffic diversion tactics making it a safer, faster way to get where you’re going. If you’re headed east or west, hop on SE Salmon or Ankeny Street. Also, 16th or 29th Ave are great options that make this one of the most bikeable neighborhoods in the city.
Public transportation
Though the walking and biking in Buckman are some of the best around, public transportation doesn’t rank quite as highly, mainly because there is no MAX Light Rail line that directly services this area. However, each of the main thoroughfares has a dedicated TriMet bus route with frequent stops. You can take the TriMet bus across one of three bridges into downtown, where you can grab a MAX, bus or streetcar to anywhere in the Portland Metro area.
While there is ample, free street parking in the Buckman neighborhood — you may want to brush up on your parallel parking skills. The close-in location offers easy access to I-5, I-84 and Route 26 for car commuting and road-tripping, but expect plenty of traffic here.
Education
Buckman is a veritable playground for adults, but it’s also a great place for kids to grow up. Craftsman-style homes, peaceful residential streets, and pristine parks attract many families, along with high-ranking schools including Buckman Elementary and Hosford Middle School.
Safety
Luckily, from a safety standpoint, you can feel at ease living in Buckman.
Local forums and third-party reviewers regard the neighborhood as a fairly safe place, with violent crimes ranking lower than the national average. Unfortunately, theft is an issue in many parts of Portland. Avoid leaving valuables in your car and store your bike indoors or invest in a reliable lock.
Photo source: Friends of Colonel Summers Park / Facebook
Recreation
If you’re looking for a place to unwind, Buckman has some idyllic parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy. Bring a blanket and a book and spend a sunny afternoon in Colonel Summers Park, get your game on or run the track at Buckman Field Park, take your pup to socialize at Washington High Dog Park or take in the view of the waterfront at the Eastbank Esplanade. Fortunately, fresh air is aplenty here.
Dining
Ultimately, when it’s time to eat, Buckman has a long list of incredible dining options. Try a bite of everything at popular food cart pods like Cartopia or Hawthorne Asylum, start your day at one of the city’s most popular brunch spots, Jam on Hawthorne, or expand your cultural horizons at critically acclaimed restaurants like the Russian phenom, Kachka, or the famed French eatery Le Pigeon.
Looking for a place to grab a drink? Revolution Hall’s rooftop bar offers some of the best views in town. Also, the expansive patio at RonToms is a great place to meet up for a cocktail. Lastly, if you’re hankering for some hops, Modern Times, Away Days, Rogue and Cascade breweries are all within reach.
10 things to do in Buckman
There are so many fun things to do in Buckman that your house plants might start to miss you. Here are some awesome ideas to help you explore the neighborhood:
- Take a scenic stroll among the tombstones at the historic Lone Fir Cemetery, open to the public year-round.
- Shop small and celebrate local food, culture, music, drinks and retail at the Portland Night Market.
- Spend a side-splitting evening at Helium Comedy Club.
- Embrace the nostalgia of retro gaming at Electric Castle’s Wunderland arcade.
- Expand your music collection with awesome record stores like Tomorrow Records and Landfill Records in your backyard.
- Dance your heart out at nightclubs like Holocene and White Owl Social Club.
- Rock out to a concert at the school-turned-venue, Revolution Hall, or the futuristic, underground log cabin Doug Fir Lounge.
- Become a regular at beloved dive bars like Roadside Attraction, My Father’s Place, Loyal Legion, Hawthorne Hideaway and The Vern.
- Enjoy a movie on a rainy day in one of the vintage neighborhood theaters, Cinemagic and Laurelhurst Theater.
- Let your creative side run wild at Nucleus Gallery’s drink & draw events.
Finding an apartment in Buckman
Live your best life and enjoy peak Portland in beautiful Buckman! Take a look at what apartments are available in the Buckman neighborhood, or expand your search to include other apartments for rent and homes for sale in Portland.
