This is One of Portland’s Safest Neighborhoods

Hillsdale, a charming Southwest neighborhood, has the quiet feel of a mountain town. Its gorgeous foliage along hillside roads and decidedly retro vibe make it feel remote, but it’s not as far from the rest of Portland as it seems — as long as you have a vehicle. While the walkability and public transit scores are relatively low for Portland, neighbors find there’s a lot of walkability to be had once you’re in the heart of the neighborhood. The nexus of businesses on Southwest Capitol Highway means you can easily walk from lunch to shopping to a playground and then to the library.

Hillsdale is one of the safest neighborhoods in Portland, according to Portland Police Bureau’s open crime data, but you pay for the safety with far above average home prices.

What Neighbors Say

Sergio and Grace Quiñones moved to the Hillsdale neighborhood two years ago, while Grace was still pregnant with their 18-month-old son, Emilio. They were looking for an area that felt safe, but would be close enough to downtown without being too much of a commute to Nike, where Sergio works.

They love the duality of the area. “It’s really nice being tucked into the hills,” says Sergio. 

“A big part of what we love about it is the location and access to the rest of Portland,” says Grace, who stays home with Emilio.

They can get downtown and to the eastside quickly, and have easy access to Beaverton for Costco and Target runs.

One of their favorite things to do in Hillsdale is to eat at the Hillsdale Food Park, and when the weather is dreary, they head to the simple yet sweet play area tucked inside Hoot-N-Annie.  “Emilio could play in there for hours,” says Grace.

The downside to living in the forested hills? Winter storms can mean power outages — last winter, the Quiñoneses were without power for about 30 hours when the ice storm felled a tree that then took out a power line.

Play Here

Hillsdale proper offers plenty of indoor places for kids to romp. The Hillsdale Library holds classes and storytimes — and benefited from refresh upgrades in 2024. The beautiful Southwest Community Center has a kid-friendly indoor pool, preschool and TeenForce activities. Several businesses, like Hoot-N-Annie Resale Boutique welcome kids by offering toys or a play corner. And Other Worlds Games & Comics offers after-school Dungeons & Dragons groups. Plus the Multnomah Arts Center, which offers visual and performing arts classes for all ages, is in nearby Multnomah Village.

For outdoor fun, there’s the playgrounds at DeWitt Park and the Hillsdale Community Playground at Rieke Elementary School. Pro tip: On Sundays in the summer and fall, the school’s parking lot is home to a great farmers market. The SW Trails and Hillsdale City Park are also great spots for kids to run around. The centrally located Ida B. Wells-Barnett Outdoor Pool is paradise for splashers and swimmers alike in the summertime. Just next door to Hillsdale, Gabriel Park offers paved and unpaved trails, a great playground for a wide age range, and a sizable skate park. And there are some great indoor play options in neighboring Raleigh Hills like Kowabunga and DiG PDX (the latter has a great snack area with tasty options for adults, too, including coffee, beer and wine).

Eat Here

The Hillsdale Food Park offers several solid options — sushi, bento boxes and Indian/Arabian cuisine — in a seated area covered partially by trees and a few umbrellas. Its location is very central, making it a popular neighborhood mainstay. Pro tip: The outdoor food truck pod also has highchairs. 

Waffle fans of any age will enjoy Gigi’s Café in the Hillsdale Shopping Center. And across the street, Casa Colima will satisfy cravings for authentic Mexican food in an inviting and vibrant family-friendly setting.Other great options: Sasquatch Brewery (offers toys, highchairs and a great menu) and Baker & Spice (pastries and sandwiches worth waiting in line for).

Live Here

$807,500: Median home price
$1,695: Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment
Source: Realtor.com and Zumper.com