Neighborhood Associations: Boise, Eliot, Overlook

The Boise and Eliot neighborhoods are in the northeast part of Portland, a section of town once part of the city of Albina. East Portland, Albina and Portland became the city of Portland in 1891. The Boise and Eliot neighborhoods are primarily known for their diversity and “up and coming” status.

Although crime has been a substantial issue in the past, the crime rate is on the decline in large part because residents, city government, and businesses have partnered together to redevelop and strengthen this section of town.

The main commercial stretch runs along Mississippi Avenue from NE Fremont to NE Skidmore. It is a culturally rich street with thriving restaurants, shops, and bars. It is considered one of the “hipster” areas of town. Clothing, furniture, and antique stores can be found amongst bakeries, breweries, wine bars, and coffeehouses. You’ll rarely find large crowds or have difficulty with parking because many Portland residents haven’t discovered the street’s charms. Lovely Hula Hands’s service and food personifies the street’s vibe: organic, friendly, alternative. Amnesia Brewing Company is a well-respected, independent microbrewery. Miss Delta serves down-home grub like po’ boys, hush puppies, and southern friend chicken. Legendary recording studio and music venue Mississippi Studios calls this home. Mississippi Avenue Lofts, an upscale and eco-friendly condominium development, is one of the first developments of this type along the street.

North Williams Avenue is a short drive from Mississippi Avenue. Neighbors as well as the staff from nearby Legacy Emmanuel Hospital frequent eateries like Fifth Quadrant. Pix Patisserie’s fancy desserts draw people from around town after a dinner out. North Williams lies between Interstate 5 and Martin Luther King Junior Blvd a few blocks away.

Along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, new wine bars and eateries have been opening with regularity over the past two years. Several Ethiopian restaurants and African markets thrive here. A couple of luxury condominium complexes have popped up along this main artery. This stretch is primed for development and those forces are just beginning to take hold.

Varied home types and bargains can be had in this part of town. Cottages, mixed use buildings, condos, Craftsmans, and English-style single family dwellings populate the neighborhood. About half of the residents own their homes in Boise and Eliot. The area is popular with first time homebuyers, but some longtime residents do still live here. The homes range in quality from fixer-uppers to shining examples of neighborhood pride and quality. You may live next door to the next indie rock band, a young single professional, or a family who has been here since the 1940s.

The nearby Overlook neighborhood hugs the Willamette River and borders the Fremont Bridge, Interstate 5, N Ainsworth Street and N. Willamette Blvd. A renaissance began and took hold when Adidas opened their North American headquarters here in 2002. Home prices and the area’s desirability have appreciated steadily ever since. The fantastic views from many area homes, the Interstate MAX line, and riverfront 12-acre Overlook Park appeal to homebuyers. Two 8-acre parks (Madrona and Arbor Lodge) attract dogs, joggers, and strollers. Overlook residents include many singles, Adidas professionals, and couples. About 70% of Overlook residents own their homes.

Residents of all three neighborhoods visit the Interstate Farmer’s Market. The market runs from late May to late September on Wednesday nights. Multnomah County Library’s North Portland branch is located a few blocks off Mississippi Avenue on N. Killingsworth Street. This library branch houses a special collection of scholarly and popular materials related to the African American experience.

Transportation options are plentiful. Several buses and the Interstate MAX line serve Boise, Eliot, and Overlook. Interstate 5 and the Fremont Bridge connect residents to downtown Portland and other highways. Driving to downtown Portland takes approximately 10 minutes. The neighborhood is about 20 minutes by car to the Portland International Airport.