Driving or walking through Eastmoreland’s tree-lined streets full of large, elegant homes, you’re struck by the neighborhood’s beauty. And that’s not an accident. According to the Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association, the neighborhood was laid out by devotees of the national City Beautiful movement of the early 1900s, who also worked on the Ladd’s Addition neighborhood. Landscape engineer Robert S. Greenleaf intentionally used a “grid and meander” street plan with the crowning jewel being a north-south main boulevard featuring a central park and narrow drives — known today as Reed College Place (pictured above). In fact, the development of the Eastmoreland subdivision started in tandem with the opening of Reed College, its northern boundary, in 1911. Deed restrictions and covenants also ensured homebuilders kept the neighborhood scenic — dwellings had to be set back at least 25 feet from north-south roadways and 15 feet from east-west roadways. And it should be noted that those same deed restrictions also discriminated against Chinese, Japanese and Black Americans, barring them from owning property in the neighborhood.
Today a mix of home styles dot the neighborhood, from the original Colonial Revivals, Arts and Crafts, and Bungalow/Craftsman-style homes built in the 1910s, to English Tudor, mid-century gems and modern rebuilds. While the neighborhood is strictly residential with no shops or restaurants (or apartment buildings!) within its boundaries, residents say it’s an ideal place for families. Kids can find plenty of playmates and the neighborhood goes all out with big celebrations for the Fourth of July and Halloween.
What Neighbors Say
Julia and Brent Blattner both grew up in Eastmoreland and bought their first house together in the neighborhood in 2009. Brent is the owner of Crux Building and Restoration, so they set out looking for a house they could renovate. “We got really lucky and we were able to get into the neighborhood as the market crashed in 2009. We bought a small house that was a huge fixer. But it was perfect for us because Brent has the skills to turn something rundown into something beautiful,” says Julia, a high school history teacher.
After having two kids, Ella, 7, and Luke, 4, they looked for a larger house in the neighborhood and bought a 1928 fixer right before the pandemic shutdown. “If people are willing to work on projects over time, a fixer is a great way to get into the neighborhood.”
But for the Blattner family, one of their favorite things about Eastmoreland is the community. “As a family with young children it is the absolute best,” says Julia. “There are so many families with young kids who live in such a close proximity that our kids are never without friends and opportunities to play. Our block alone has 10 kids all about the same age as our own.”
And the icing on the cake is being close to family. “We have both sets of our kiddos’ grandparents within two blocks of us, so you can often find us at one of their houses,” says Julia.
Eat Here
While Eastmoreland is strictly residential, neighbors have plenty of dining options just outside the neighborhood in Woodstock and Westmoreland. Julia Blattner says her family’s favorites include Tom Yum Thai Cuisine in Woodstock, and PDX Sliders (pictured above), PDX Bible Club for a fun date night and Nectar Frozen Yogurt in Westmoreland. Pizzicato Pizza, Cloud City Ice Cream and Laughing Planet are also close by!
Play Here
Natural beauty abounds in this close-in neighborhood. Kids can get the wiggles out at the Berkeley Park or Duniway Elementary School playgrounds. And on the Reed College campus, Reed College Canyon (pictured above) is a 28-acre wildlife refuge that’s home to herons, hawks, beavers, river otters and more. The serene Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden hits peak bloom April through June; and for the rest of the year, it’s famous for its hungry ducks. Additionally, the Eastmoreland Golf Course welcomes beginners at its summer camps and free early morning golf sessions for kids 17 and younger.
Live Here
$895,000: Median home price
To read about more fun neighborhoods like this one, check out the rest of our Neighborhood Guide.
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