Full of historic buildings and Victorian and Craftsman homes, Nob Hill exudes an air of classic Portland style and sophistication. But it’s also one of the Rose City’s trendiest spots for shopping and dining, especially along NW 23rd — or Trendy-Third — Avenue. From the latest must-try restaurants to charming local boutiques, there’s always something to see and do. And if you live in the area, home is just a quick walk or bus ride away along quiet, tree-lined streets. If you want to set down roots in one of Portland’s eternally-iconic neighborhoods, Nob Hill is the spot.
Where is Nob Hill located in Portland?
Nob Hill is in Northwest Portland, with the West Hills to the west and the Pearl to the east. For those unfamiliar with Portland’s topography, Northwest Portland is on the west bank of the Willamette River. Also known as the Alphabet District, Nob Hill is generally defined as stretching north-south from West Burnside St. to NW Thurman, and east-west from NW 20th to 23rd Avenues.
The area ZIP code is 97210, which also encompasses the overall Northwest neighborhood and the base of the West Hills.
Source: Rent.
Sure, the area is highly walkable, but what about public transit? How expensive is it since many of the buildings are so historic? There are lots of factors to consider when choosing a new neighborhood. Here are some stats about Nob Hill:
- Studio average rent: $1,680
- One-bedroom average rent: $2,165
- Two-bedroom average rent: $3,062
- Walk score: 95.86
- Bike score: 91.04
- Transit score: 81.90
Living in Nob Hill
Choosing Nob Hill as your home means you get big-city fun in a communal, neighborly package. You can easily walk or bike to some of Portland’s best shopping, dining and cultural offerings. But you also feel well-connected to your community. It’s the best of both worlds!
Walking and biking
As you can see above, Nob Hill boasts of incredibly high walking and cycling scores. As an extremely pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city, Portland drivers are very aware of their surroundings.
Local laws are also very geared toward pedestrian and cyclist safety and right of way. So you can feel safe and secure walking and biking around your own neighborhood.
Photo source: Oregon Trail Recovery Project
Public transportation
Although Nob Hill is easily walkable and many residents choose to walk or bike around, there is still great mass transit available.
TriMet bus Line 15 offers a straight shot down NW 23rd. Another convenient transit option is the Portland Streetcar, whose North/South Loop connects the north end of Nob Hill to Downtown.
Walking or using mass transit are also the main ways of getting around as finding parking is difficult. I-405 is also just a few blocks off Nob Hill, connecting to I-5 toward Seattle or heading south into central Oregon.
Education
Many young people choose Nob Hill for the happening lifestyle. But the peaceful neighborhoods and large Craftsman-style homes are great for families, and there are some highly-rated schools in the area. Chapman Elementary School and the Metropolitan Learning Center are well-regarded, as well as Lincoln High School.
Safety
Overall, Nob Hill is a very safe neighborhood.
Both local forums and third-party reviewers rank it as a safe place, with violent crimes like assault ranking incredibly low or nonexistent. There are some issues with theft and burglary, which is an issue many parts of Portland have been grappling with. But overall, residents report feeling safe and secure.
Recreation
Nob Hill is a fantastic area if you enjoy spending time outdoors. There are several clean and lush city parks nearby like Wallace Park, where you can exercise, walk your dog or relax. And Forest Park, which has tons of trails, is easily accessible via Lower Macleay Park.
Source: Rent. / The Celine
Dining
Nob Hill is one of Portland’s best districts for dining, and foodies here have a field day.
From breakfast to nightcaps, there’s always an occasion for dining out. Start off the day at Pine State Biscuits for their breakfast biscuit sammies, and get coffee from Barista or Good Coffee.
For lunch and dinner, you have your pick of anything from sushi to seasonal Pacific Northwest fare. And drinks-wise, there are awesome spots like Bar Diane, a chic wine bar, and Southland Whiskey Kitchen.
10 things to do in Nob Hill
Homebodies, beware: you’ll never want a stay indoors life when you live in Nob Hill. Whether popping out for a coffee, bar-hopping or browsing local shops, there’s always something fun to do.
- Dive into Portland’s famous weird vibes at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium and Museum with its collection of the bizarre and strange.
- Enjoy al fresco dining Portland-style at the Nob Hill Food Carts, with its diverse offerings from ramen to burgers.
- Dine at top-notch restaurants and eateries like Bamboo Sushi, Grassa and Salt & Straw.
- Say goodbye to store-bought bread; get all your loaves from the iconic Ken’s Artisan Bakery.
- Go for a hike in nearby Forest Park, which has over 70 miles of trails, to enjoy some time in nature.
- Shop locally-made goods and handicrafts at shops like Tender Loving Empire, and find your fave national retail brands like LUSH and Williams-Sonoma.
- Take in a movie at Cinema 21, a neighborhood treasure that showcases classic, indie and arthouse films.
- Go for a stroll around the neighborhood to admire the many historic buildings and houses.
- Break out for your best karaoke song at VoiceBox, which boasts of private karaoke booths and now offers virtual karaoke during the pandemic.
- Move over, craft beer; Portland’s distilling scene is booming, as you’ll discover visiting and tasting at NW distilleries like Bull Run and Aria Portland Dry Gin.
Finding an apartment in Nob Hill
Ready to live that hip Northwest Portland lifestyle? Check out what apartments are available in Nob Hill! Even if Nob Hill itself isn’t your top choice, then check out the other apartments for rent and homes for sale in Portland.
