Hawthorne - what to expect?

Hi -

My husband, son (10 months) and I are relocating to Portland soon - just in time for the rainy season! We are renting an wonderful, older, restored home a block north of SE Hawthorne close to the Bagdad Theater while we get to know Portland and search for a house to buy. I know that Hawthorne is one of the more eccentric/fun/funky/unique parts of town, though I%26#39;ve also seen some recent posts of people saying that Hawthorne is becoming more trendy. Any thoughts from locals on what to expect? Any shops and restaurants not to be missed (both kid friendly and not since hopefully we%26#39;ll be getting a babysitter at some point for some nights out!)? Thanks!

Hawthorne - what to expect?

I love those old homes in Hawthorne! The area is very nice, very charming!

There are some good restaurants there too, I have heard :O)

www.portlandfood.org is a great site for you to browse for info on everything Portland, and not just food :)

Welcome to Portland ~

Hawthorne - what to expect?

I%26#39;ve lived on Hawthorne for the last seven years, but don%26#39;t let that scare you.

First off, I%26#39;d check out thinkhawthorne dot com. It%26#39;s a website run by the HBBA (Hawthorne Blvd Business Assoc) and it%26#39;s good insight as to what%26#39;s going on these days (we may be getting parking meters for some reason, for example).

I%26#39;m not sure what your definition of ';trendy'; is, but the Pearl we are not. Night before last, I saw a dreadlocked guy sitting on a Portland Mercury box strumming his guitar and singing Barbara Streisand songs for change. I%26#39;m not sure that would fly around NW 12th and Northrup. Hawthorne is the Johnny Cash to the Pearl%26#39;s Pat Boone.

If you want to ease yourself into things, try 3 Doors Down for a nice dinner or Bridgeport for a beer. And there%26#39;s a Starbucks. Don%26#39;t just jump into the Backstage Bar or Nick%26#39;s Coney Island right away, because unless you%26#39;ve spent at least three nights in an Amsterdam hostel, those places can give you a scare. Start off by buying some shoes at Imelda%26#39;s, then slowly work your way into Naked City for a sheer pink retro camisole.

Welcome to oregon

Portland has so many great places and folks.Hawthorne is lots of fun,Not sure I would live there.Sellwood area has same type charm,Not as funky,but great charm.Missisissippi is a fun growing area,But hawthorne can%26#39;t be beat for hanging out and enjoying portland at its weirdess.I love summer up there and just love portland as a whole.The pearl and 23rd is well you have to go for yourself,I find people either love it or hate it.I enjoy all portland has to offer and enjoy every part,try alberta too!!

oregone!! Hi! Happy New Year..

Just FYI...here in the Pearl, Elvis sings on the corner across the PFChangs in front of Deisel..wearing a Santa Suit.

Very posh, the Pearl LOL....

In my newbie mind, Hawthorne is famous for the man with the best Nose who owns the House of Perfume!

I also love the circle off the Blvd where all the old homes are.

I also love Laurelhurst too..and the park.

The Hawthorne area is vibrant and delightful. The street itself is heavily foot traveled with interesting shops with eclectic, but sometimes spendy product. Genoa, a block or two over on Belmont is a great restaurant. Not sure where you will be working, but Portland traffic is getting clogged. You might want to consider your commute and future schools before investing in a home purchase. Have fun and welcome to Portland.

I enjoy the restaurant Chez Machin. It is a small, french creperie located right next to the Hollywood Video, not far from you at all. It is NOT kid friendly, so save it for a date night. Hawthorne is a great area though, I think you will like it if you are moving there already with the knowledge that it is a little off-beat.

I don%26#39;t have timely info for you on restaurants but just a comment on the area. I%26#39;ve seen where some say the Hawthorne is getting trendy - maybe some homeowners and shopowners have been painting or something. Anyway, I haven%26#39;t lived in Portland for over 17 years but I fell in love with the city and lived about 8 blocks away over on 30th and Pine. Laurelhurst Park is so wonderful. Your son can play basketball there. You will feel like you are in a huge oasis until you see some of the homeless folks hiking out in the morning with their sleeping bags. Just don%26#39;t hang out there after dark and you%26#39;ll be fine. People are very interesting in the Hawthorne district and some are just very normal. Take some walks around the very stately homes surrounding Laurelhurst.

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