Bull Mountain - Tigard, OR

The Bull Mountain neighborhood began as ranch land in the early 1800s. Cattle were originally brought to the area for food and milk via the Tualatin River toward Fort Vancouver. As the Portland area began to expand, Bull Mountain began to develop as a residential area. The grassroots community organization The Friends of Bull Mountain advocates for community involvement. Explore the rich history of the area at the John Tigard House Museum.

While Bull Mountain does not host a large number of events, you can head over to the neighboring city of Tigard for the annual Festival of Balloons in the summer. This festival launches hot air balloons while presenting activities like a kids' carnival, a beer tent, live music and local food vendors.

Explore the cluster of restaurants along the Southwest Pacific Highway, and sample flavors from around the globe. From Mediterranean gyros to spicy pad Thai, you won’t have trouble finding something to tickle your taste buds.

Sample the flavors of the Far East when you head to Pacific Breeze to enjoy some Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Savor the subtle flavors of the beef brisket pho noodle with fresh cilantro and bean sprouts. Try the green curry with authentic spices and fresh green peppers, or chow down on the signature pad Thai dish. For dessert, be sure to order the traditional Thai dessert – mango sticky rice.

Taco Del Sol serves up tantalizing renditions of Mexican cuisine. This restaurant cooks up authentic flavors at unbeatable prices. Order up some beef carnitas topped with fresh avocado and smothered in spicy red salsa. Savor the authentic spices of Mexico when you try the bean burrito, stuffed with fresh veggies, avocado and topped with cheese and salsa.

Be transported to the Mediterranean when you dine at Oasis Lebanese Cuisine and taste the regional flavors of the Middle East. Chow down on the hummus and pita plate, or dig into the slow cooked beef shawarma dish. Relax in the laid-back atmosphere, and take in the charm of the cozy décor and friendly service while you enjoy your food. Happy hour features $3 well drinks and glasses of wine as well as discounts on some food items.

Residents of the Bull Mountain area enjoy a selection of local bars and tap houses where locals gather on the weekends to enjoy a cold beer and a good time. Head to Canton Phoenix for some dim sum and karaoke, or explore the flavors of local beer at Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill, which has more than 50 beers on tap.

For a wide selection of craft beers and wines, check out Tapphoria. Try a sampler of four craft beers of your choice, and pick from a variety of beers such as pale ales, hard ciders and stouts. Their famous buffalo chicken dip goes perfectly with a cold beer and they serve happy hour Mondays to Fridays from 4-6 p.m.. Watch the game on one of Tapphoria’s wide screen TVs; or kick back with friends, and enjoy a cozy evening with a glass of pinot noir.

It should take around 27 minutes to drive to downtown Portland from Bull Mountain via Interstate 5. Public on-street parking is available throughout the city. For those needing public transportation, the TriMet public transit service provides several bus routes that service Bull Mountain and connect to the rest of the greater Portland area.

Bicycle lanes can be located on major roads such as SW Gaarde Street. Due to the central location of shops and major businesses, Bull Mountain can easily be explored on foot. If you’re in need of a cab, you can call up Orange Cab Inc or request an Uber

A diverse range of parks surround the Bull Mountain area, making it a gateway for outdoor recreation and for exploring Portland’s dramatic natural landscapes.

Experience the wonder of Oregon’s natural beauty when you make your way to Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Take your camera along, and snap some shots of the wild geese, ducks, deer and nutria that call the park home. Drop by the visitor center to pick up some unique nature-themed gifts or rent some binoculars for your walk around the park.

Nearby Cook Park provides ample space and facilities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. The park features a volleyball court, running track, playground and picnic facilities. During the summer you can rent a canoe or kayak and enjoy free concerts at the bandstand. Bring your dogs for a walk around the park, or head to Tualatin Dog Park if you want to let them run around off-leash.

The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Bull Mountain is around $925 a month, which is slightly lower than the average rent in Portland.

A beer at a local bar costs about $5, while gas prices hover around 10 percent higher than the national average. Hop on a local metro transit bus for $2.50. The overall cost of living in Bull Mountain is around the same as the average for the rest of the Portland area.

Sweet Siren Boutique inspires unique outfits with trendy, chic style. Browse custom jewelry, eclectic accessory items and one-of-a-kind clothing items. Pick up some new outfits for your wardrobe when you visit Goodwill where brand-name items and vintage-clothing gems are within your reach.

For other shopping options head over to the Bridgeport Village Mall which sits right outside of the neighborhood. This outdoor mall has a wide selection of stores with everything you need from clothes at J. Crew to shoes at New Balance or Jewelry at Silverado Portland Jewelry.

Stock your pantry with products from grocery stores such as Albertsons, Safeway Food & Drug and Whole Foods Market. For a little something different, check out New Seasons Market, where you can treat yourself to a wide selection of craft beers, organic produce and artisan cheeses. Indulge your senses when you stop in to the Tigard Bull Mountain Farmers Market. Pick up some soft peaches, freshly picked strawberries or potted herbs to grow at home.