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Portland Area Guide · No. 6

Southwest Portland

Hillside homes · Green spaces · Residential communities

Southwest Portland is the city's green, hillside quarter: wooded slopes with city views, the village-style shopping of Multnomah Village, quiet residential districts like Hayhurst and Bridlemile, and the forested parks of Marquam Hill, Tryon Creek, and Washington Park. It is Portland's most nature-adjacent urban living, anchored by the OHSU medical campus.

Portland · Multnomah County · Oregon

Brick and wood storefronts with hanging flower baskets along SW Capitol Highway in Multnomah Village at golden hour

Multnomah Village · Southwest Portland

Mid-century and craftsman homes tucked into Douglas fir woods on a hillside Southwest Portland street at golden hour

Hillside homes among the Douglas firs

01 · Area Highlights

Where the city meets the forest

Southwest Portland is where the city meets the forest. The West Hills rise steeply from downtown, with homes tucked into Douglas fir woods and views over the whole metro. Multnomah Village is the village center, a walkable cluster of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants on SW Capitol Highway. Hillsdale is its commercial counterpart, with neighborhood services and easy access to parks.

The residential districts are quiet and established: Hayhurst, Bridlemile, and the Southwest Hills offer traditional homes, green spaces, and detached houses on wooded streets. Eastmoreland, at the district's south edge, is known for its tree-lined streets and landscaped grounds. The OHSU campus on Marquam Hill anchors the district's economy and its skyline.

  • Hillside & wooded
  • City views
  • Multnomah Village
  • Tryon Creek & parks
  • OHSU at the top of the hill

01b · Navigable Map

Explore Southwest Portland on the map

Pan, zoom, and drag around this live map to get your bearings before you even call us: pin Multnomah Village, Hillsdale, the OHSU campus, Tryon Creek, and the neighborhoods this guide covers.

Southwest Portland · Multnomah County

02 · Community Detail

Six neighborhoods, one green quarter

Southwest Portland is the city's most residential and most wooded quarter. Multnomah Village and Hillsdale are the commercial centers, while Southwest Hills, Hayhurst, Bridlemile, and Eastmoreland are the quiet neighborhoods around them, with parks and green space woven through.

Housing is mostly detached single-family homes: mid-century ranches, traditional houses, and hillside properties with decks built for the views. It is the part of Portland where buyers trade walk-to-everything convenience for space, trees, and quiet.

Multnomah Village

A village-style commercial center with boutiques, restaurants, and nearby homes.

Hillsdale

Established residential streets, neighborhood services, and access to parks.

Southwest Hills

Hillside properties, wooded settings, and some homes with city views.

Hayhurst

Primarily residential, with parks and a mix of traditional housing.

Bridlemile

Residential streets, green spaces, and detached homes.

Eastmoreland

Known for its tree-lined streets, traditional homes, and landscaped surroundings.

Boutiques and cafes with flower baskets along the sidewalk in Multnomah Village on a sunny afternoon

Multnomah Village, the district's village center

Modern hospital towers of the OHSU campus rising above the treeline on Marquam Hill

OHSU's Marquam Hill campus anchors the district

03 · Major Employers

The Marquam Hill medical campus

Southwest Portland is anchored by one of the largest medical campuses in the Pacific Northwest, with a layer of village businesses below. Here are the anchors:

OHSU

Oregon Health & Science University on Marquam Hill is Portland's largest employer, with more than 22,000 employees, OHSU Hospital, Doernbecher Children's Hospital, and the Vollum Institute.

VA Portland Health Care System

The VA Medical Center sits on Marquam Hill adjacent to OHSU, serving veterans across the region.

Shriners Children's Portland

A pediatric orthopedic hospital on Marquam Hill, affiliated with OHSU and serving children from across the Northwest.

Village businesses

Multnomah Village and Hillsdale are lined with independent boutiques, restaurants, and services that anchor neighborhood employment.

04 · Restaurant Guide

Where Southwest Portland eats

Multnomah Village packs a surprising amount of dining into a few walkable blocks, from artisan bakeries to taquerias and sushi bars. Some of our favorites:

Multnomah Village

Grand Central Bakery Multnomah Village

Visit

A neighborhood bakery and cafe known for artisan bread, pastries, and a warm breakfast and lunch menu.

3425 SW Multnomah Blvd

Tito's Taquitos

Visit

A cheerful taqueria on SW Capitol Highway with made-to-order taquitos, burritos, and salsas.

7705 SW Capitol Hwy

Yoshi's Sushi

Visit

A long-running village sushi spot with a loyal following for rolls, nigiri, and Japanese classics.

3530 SW Multnomah Blvd

Bluebird ThaiPDX

Visit

A cozy Thai restaurant on SW Multnomah Blvd with curries, noodle dishes, and friendly service.

3518 SW Multnomah Blvd

Worth a short drive: Hillsdale's small commercial center and the cafes along Barbur Boulevard add more neighborhood favorites just minutes away.

A cozy Multnomah Village restaurant with wooden tables, wine glasses, and warm lamplight

Cozy kitchens in the village center

A forested trail with a wooden footbridge over the creek in Tryon Creek State Natural Area, dappled green light

Tryon Creek State Natural Area, minutes from home

05 · Activities

Things to do in Southwest Portland

Southwest Portland's parks are the quiet stars of the district, from the state forest of Tryon Creek to the summit of Council Crest. Here is how locals spend their weekends:

Tryon Creek State Natural Area

Learn more

Oregon's only state park inside a major metro area, with 14 miles of forested trails, a nature center, and a paved bike trail through 650 acres of woods.

Washington Park

Learn more

The west hills' crown jewel: the Portland Japanese Garden, International Rose Test Garden, Oregon Zoo, and Hoyt Arboretum, all within a few minutes of Southwest Portland.

Council Crest Park

Learn more

At 1,073 feet, one of the highest public points in Portland, with panoramic views from the Cascades to the Coast Range.

Marquam Nature Park

Learn more

A 203-acre woodland with the Marquam Trail, part of the 40-mile loop that connects Council Crest to Washington Park.

Gabriel Park

Learn more

A nearly 90-acre park with sports fields, tennis courts, a skatepark, and a dog park, the neighborhood's biggest recreation hub.

Portland Aerial Tram

Learn more

The tram connects the OHSU campus on Marquam Hill to the South Waterfront, with one of the best free views of the city along the way.

Ready to make Southwest Portland home?

From a Bridlemile ranch to a hillside home with a view, we know this quarter of the city block by block. Tell us what you are looking for and we will show you the home that fits.

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