Mt Hood - Gresham, OR

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were the first non-native people to visit Mt. Hood, in 1805. After their discovery, the government sold land at a low price in the mountain's shadow. Three settlers moved into the valley, establishing what would later become downtown Gresham. By 1905, the area had expanded so quickly that the city had it incorporated. The neighborhood has maintained its culture of growth throughout its history.

The Gresham Historical Society museum provides residents with detailed photographs and artifacts related to Mt. Hood's long history. Check out its location on Main Avenue to learn more about the community.

The arts scene in Mt. Hood thrives, especially with the Gresham Arts Festival. Every year, artists travel to downtown Gresham to showcase their work. Visit the Arts Plaza year-round to see statues from dozens of artists or catch a play from the Nuts-n-Boltz Theater Company. Mt. Hood Community College also hosts frequent events, including theater performances, concerts and art gallery showcases.

What makes Mt. Hood so appealing to residents is its combination of rustic atmosphere with buzzing big-city nightlife. Since Mt. Hood is a popular evening hangout, there isn't a central restaurant location, though neighborhood has some of the best food near Portland and plenty of evening hot spots to keep you entertained.

Nicholas Restaurant serves heaping plates of Lebanese food at its central location on Main Avenue. Dig into one of their meat mezza platters, which includes hummus, falafel balls, tahziki, tabouli salad, lamb pies and beef kafta skewers. Come hungry, since one of these plates serves enough food for two full meals. For dessert, try the layered custard, based on a traditional family recipe.

If you want a cheap snack, head over to Bistro 214 near Highway 26. Open at 7 am every day, this little restaurant gives customers dozens of breakfast options, including a prosciutto and egg panini smothered in onions. The atmosphere has a small-town coffee shop feel, with menu items written in chalk behind the counter. Bistro 214 serves everything from macaroni and cheese to tiramisu, so customers find variety in every meal.

Grab food on the go at Kim Jong Grillin’ on Division Street. The Portland area's famed food trucks are a foodie's dream, and Kim Jong Grillin’ lives up to this expectation. As one of the best and only Korean food trucks around Portland, customers buy up their famous bibim box every day. Called "Portland's favorite hangover cure" on the menu, the box features traditional Korean barbecue over rice, topped with a fried egg.

Check out the popular sports bar Skyland Pub for $5 beer growlers that you take home at the end of the night. Watch the latest college football game or enjoy a cool breeze on the bar's front patio.

If you want to watch the game but you can't find a babysitter, bring the kids to Geno's Sports Bar and Grill. The family friendly atmosphere and big-screen TVs make this bar perfect for sports fans. The bar serves beer and cocktails for adult customers, and baked mac-n-cheese for kids.

Mt. Hood Theatre gives residents an affordable option for movies. It costs only $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors to see their choice of the double-feature films playing. Pop into their coffee shop, Cameo Coffee, for an after-movie beverage.

Mt. Hood's central location in the Gresham and Troutdale areas make it easy to get around to local business, even if you don't have a car. TriMet, the area's bus system, takes passengers all along the major stops in Mt. Hood. Take the bus to the nearby Portland International Airport.

Hailing a cab is simple, since most taxi services roll through the Mt. Hood neighborhood every day. Call ahead to ensure a fast pickup. Uber does not operate in the area.

Park nearly anywhere in the neighborhood for free or pay a fee for street parking in major hubs. Find most of the free parking on residential streets or metered parking downtown. Take Interstate 84 to get to any spots west or east of the neighborhood. Connect to interstates 5 and 205 to get into northern or southern parts of Oregon and Washington. Highway 26 takes you directly to the mountain.

With bike lanes on most major streets, bicycling stays safe in the area. If you prefer a walk, many of the stores in Mt. Hood sit next to one another.

The Oxbow Regional Park rests along the outskirts of the neighborhood to the east. Kayak along the Sandy River Gorge or hike the 12 miles of trails that cut through this expansive park.

Head across the Sandy River to Dabney State Recreation Area, with 138 acres of natural resources to enjoy. Have a picnic near one of the many barbecue grills scattered along the riverbank beach. You can also play golf at one of the most challenging courses in the Pacific Northwest. Leave your pets at home, though, since this park enforces a strict no-pet policy.

Stay close to the city at Red Sunset Park near Stark Street. This park has almost 15 acres of sports fields, playgrounds and picnic shelters. Dogs on leashes are welcome. While none of the main parks host annual festivals, community members frequently schedule events at these scenic locations.

The cost of living in Mt. Hood sits about 6 percent lower than in downtown Portland. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence rests at $796 per month.

Expect to pay $2.50 to take TriMet into the Portland city center. Gas prices are about 7 percent higher here than the national average. Entertainment prices remain low in the neighborhood, where you expect to pay about $3 for a bottle of beer at a local pub.

The Gresham Station Shopping Center houses Mt. Hood's central area of commerce. With more than 60 retailers in its directory, you'll find everything you need in one stop. The center includes high-value stores, such as LOFT, ULTA and Kay Jewelers.

To purchase something that gives back, visit Chase Me Again. This little shop specializes in antiques, used clothing and furniture, but that isn't the whole story. When you buy from this shop, you help support the homeless population in the area. The shop owners donate a portion of their sales to the nonprofit shelter My Father’s House.

You don't have to go far for groceries in Mt. Hood. The neighborhood has a Safeway, Albertsons, Winco and Fred Meyer nearby. Stop by White's Country Meats for a wide selection of quality meat products, or visit Tienda La Guadalupe for authentic Mexican cooking supplies. From Mother's Day until the end of October every year, check out the Gresham Farmers' Market for locally-grown produce.