Gresham-North Central Gresham, OR

Before the establishment of the actual town of Gresham in the early 1900s, locals knew the greater area as Powell Valley, colonized by three unrelated men all with the surname Powell. Locals, wishing to maintain contact with the rest of the developing country, convinced the U.S. Postmaster General to open a post office in the valley by proposing he name the office after himself. Walter Gresham accepted their request and opened a new post office for a township with the name of Gresham in 1884, and the state of Oregon officially recognized the community as a town in 1905.

Every June, Gresham hosts the Gresham Art Festival, located just south of North Central Gresham, a gathering of local artists and vendors on several closed-down streets. Families in the area take kids to see the local culture on display every summer.

North Central Gresham hides a few gems for the diner on the go. Although the neighborhood contains mostly fast-casual dining fare, the area rallies for civic pride with a few unbeatable local contenders.

Check out Dea's In & Out for a hub of local American fare; if you crave good, old-fashioned diner food late at night, Dea's is your saving grace. Patrons return to Dea's time and time again for the friendly service and wealth of choices on the menu. Locals recommend the long burger with grilled onions, which is Dea's take on the classic American burger, and the diner's velvety chocolate shake. Customers over the age of 21 can also visit the full bar/lounge located in the back of Dea's for a full selection of adult beverages.

For cuisine outside of the traditional American palate, visit La Carreta in the southern portion of North Central Gresham. Huge portions of Mexican fare satisfy anyone looking for a little spice hidden away in Gresham. Locals love La Carreta for its service, the sunny, open-air patio, and the chicken and steak fajitas. Visit on a hot afternoon, and try their venerable margaritas as well.

Nightlife in North Central Gresham loses a bit of steam to Central Gresham, but that really speaks to the lively bar scene in Central Gresham. North Central Gresham contains its fair share of watering holes, chief among them the Wichita Puff's Pub. It's equipped with a dance floor, pool tables, cheap food, and even poker on Wednesday nights. Locals looking for a good time out on the town in North Central Gresham need look no farther than Wichita Puff's Pub.

Getting around North Central Gresham typically requires a car; WalkScore gives Gresham a rating of 43 out of 100, meaning most errands need automobile transportation. Many necessities lie outside of a comfortable walking radius, and Gresham's large boulevards may pose a hazard for pedestrians.

Highway access from North Central Gresham takes about a 10-minute drive, and travel to downtown Portland takes about 25 minutes on the I-84, which parallels the Columbia River on the northern edge of Gresham. Public parking abounds in Gresham, which locals consider much less congested than the urban center of Portland.

Portland's TriMet public transit system serves the North Central Gresham area with bus lines and light rail to the south, connecting the neighborhood with suburbs as far away as Beaverton. A ride to downtown Portland from North Central Gresham on TriMet takes about 75 minutes.

Portland-based cabs serve the Gresham area, including Union Cab and Broadway Cab for service in North Central Gresham. Much like the rest of the area, hailing a cab poses a challenge. Residents have the most luck phoning ahead. Uber serves the entire Gresham area as well.

Bikers enjoy their time in Gresham. The city prides itself on its status as a Bicycle-Friendly Community, recognized by the League of American Bicyclists. Many streets have either a bike lane or a less-trafficked designated alternative route nearby.

North Gresham Park, which contains 13 acres of fields and open play areas, is North Central Gresham's most popular recreational area. Outdoorsy types love the multiple sports fields, and dog owners should bring their pups to play in the open. Stretch your legs on the jogging path, and bring the whole family to enjoy the recreational activities.

Gresham costs, on the whole, 2 percent less than Oregon, yet the cost of living in the area is still 12 percent above the national average. A one-bedroom apartment costs, on average, $750 per month in North Central Gresham. A two-hour ticket on the TriMet public transportation system costs $2.50, and an all-day pass costs $5.

A beer in local bars sets you back about $3.50 and a typical meal about $10. Gas costs 10 percent more than the national average in this neighborhood.

North Central Gresham features a number of storefronts along Southeast Stark Street. Musicians flock to Eastside Music, a retailer selling instruments for rock, classical and jazz players alike. Check out Furniture Connexion, located in the southern portion of North Central Gresham, for home decor and furniture goods at unbeatable prices. For groceries and other sundries, drive up to the northern portion of North Central Gresham, and visit Fred Meyer, a northwest staple for groceries and other home necessities. While North Central Gresham does not feature a farmers market, Schedeen's, a local nursery, serves as a farmers market during the spring and summer months.