Goose Hollow - Portland, OR Area Guide

Established in 1845, Goose Hollow was one of the first neighborhoods in Portland. The Oregonian coined the unusual name in 1879 after police were called to solve a dispute over the ownership of local free-range geese. Once home to a tannery and a few land claims, Goose Hollow transformed into a residential district after a population boom in the 1900s.

Modern Goose Hollow remains mostly residential, though a growing arts scene is taking root in the neighborhood. The Artists Repertory Theatre offers cutting-edge performances throughout the year, and residents flock to modern shows put on by the Polaris Dance Theatre. The closest museums sit a short walk away in downtown Portland.

Restaurants in Goose Hollow serve low to mid-priced foods from a range of cultures, with a heavy focus on American, Italian and Asian cuisines. Most restaurants cluster along West Burnside Avenue in the north and Southwest Jefferson Street in the south. For a cheap meal on the go, stop by the KOi Fusion food cart on West Burnside Street for a bulgogi burrito and Seoul sliders. Take advantage of the cart's late night hours by joining locals for a quick bite after a night out.

If you prefer to sit down to dinner, bring your appetite to Gilda's Italian Restaurant. Sip a glass of Chianti while you work your way through the veal marsala and truffle risotto. Located a short walk from the Artists Repertory Theatre, Gilda's makes an excellent pre-theatre dining option. Enjoy the dimly lit, intimate atmosphere of the Driftwood Room while you enjoy a whiskey flight and an order of Forest Mushrooms. Stop in after work for inexpensive reverse happy hour specials on champagne cocktails.

Nightlife options in Goose Hollow are limited, but a few local pubs serve drinks in a casual setting. Watch the Buffalo Bills play on the big-screens at the Cheerful Bullpen, while you take advantage of ultra-cheap drink specials -- occasionally, the bar offers beer for as little as $1. Locals come on weeknights for the dive-bar atmosphere and excellent hot wings. Sports fans also love the Civic Taproom, which broadcasts games almost every night of the week. While you watch, test out one of the six on-tap ciders or drink a Portland-made Hub Lager. For live music, most residents make the short trek to the nearby Pearl District.

Given the heavy traffic in Portland, many Goose Hollow residents opt to commute into the city using public transportation. The Blue and Red Max light rail lines run through the neighborhood, connecting residents to downtown in less than 15 minutes. Multiple bus lines serve the area and link to the Portland Transit Mall. If you need a cab, it's always best to call ahead. Uber is not available in Portland.

Residents who are willing to brave the hilly streets often walk and bike around Goose Hollow. Convenient sidewalks and well-marked crossings make the streets safe for pedestrians, and local drivers are accustomed to cyclists in the neighborhood's numerous bike lanes.

Parking in Goose Hollow presents a challenge, as parking lots are often small and crowded. Watch for permit restrictions in residential areas. If you're parking in one of the neighborhood's scattered public parking lots, expect to pay $10 per day. When you want to get out of the city, head straight for Highway 26 and Interstate 405, which run along the south and east sides of the neighborhood.

Although Goose Hollow does not contain any municipal parks within its boundaries, the nearby hills provide residents with endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Spot local fitness fans out for a trail run on almost any day of the year. Bike or hike up the trails to the City of Portland Reservoirs three and four for a strenuous workout. Bring your family to visit the stunning Portland Rose Gardens between April and October to enjoy acres of blooming flowers. Admission is free, and locals frequent the gardens to walk among the roses and enjoy the forested setting. During the summer, the garden's stunning natural amphitheater plays host to a number of classical music concerts. The nearest off-leash dog area and kid-friendly play structure sit in Couch Park in the nearby Northwest District.

During soccer season, locals flock to Providence Park to watch the Portland Timbers. The Portland State Vikings football team also plays at the stadium, ensuring plenty of outdoor games for local families.

The cost of living in Goose Hollow sits slightly lower than Portland's citywide average, partially due to the affordable housing options in the neighborhood. For a one-bedroom apartment in Goose Hollow, expect to pay an average of $1,000 per month. In comparison, a one-bedroom apartment in nearby Downtown Portland runs approximately $1,600 per month.

Daily life in Goose Hollow is easy on your wallet. A one-way trip downtown by bus or the MAX light rail costs $2.50. A pint of beer generally comes with a price tag of less than $5 at the Cheerful Bullpen or one of the other low-key pubs in the area. Goose Hollow gas prices sit about 10 percent higher than the national average.

Shopping in Goose Hollow is limited, particularly when it comes to clothing, but several local shops provide a reasonable selection of specialty products. Most residents go downtown or to the Pearl District for mainstream clothing, shoes and high-end shopping. The bulk of the retail options in Goose Hollow sit along West Burnside Street and Southwest 18th Avenue.

Local gardening enthusiasts frequent Hammer and Vine for its excellent display of air plants and terrarium supplies. Stop in for one of the store's inexpensive do-it-yourself classes or browse the eclectic selection of household goods. If you're a soccer player, visit the Far Post Soccer Company to pick up everything from keeper gloves to jerseys. Find great deals in the store's clearance section and ask the friendly, service-oriented owner for advice on the best shoes or balls for your skill level.

Goose Hollow does not provide much in the way of standard grocery shopping, and many residents head downtown or to the nearby Northwest District to take advantage of chains such as Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Neighborhood foodies love the upscale Zupan's Market on West Burnside Street. Pick up a select cut of meat or a package of caviar from the butcher's counter or find high-end imported gourmet foods in the dry goods section. For last-minute meal items, visit Commodore Grocery, where the friendly owners greet regular customers by name. The wine selection is surprisingly robust, and locals often pop in to grab a bottle on the way home from work. The nearest farmers market sits on the campus of Portland State University.