Richmond - Portland, OR Area Guide

Dr. Richmond Kelly, who immigrated from Kentucky to Portland, gave this neighborhood its name. Today, the neighborhood acts as home to a diverse selection of residents, from young professionals and families to transient bohemian artists and musicians. The main roads buzz with commercial activity while the blocks in between are home to quiet Victorian, bungalow and Craftsman homes. Residents replace their lawns with gardens and get to know their neighbors. The Division/Clintion Street Fair and the Hawthorne Street Fair happen every year in Richmond. Locals see films at the Clinton Street Theater and the Bagdad Theater on Hawthorne.

Dining and nightlife in Richmond center around Division Street and the famous Hawthorne Strip. You can catch one of Portland's ubiquitous happy hours for cheap food and drinks at any of the bars on either street. Restaurants and pubs abound in Richmond, with options for everyone, including vegans and lovers of international cuisine.

Portland staple the Waffle Window resides in Richmond right off Hawthorne. Walk up to the unassuming window and order a Liege pearl sugar waffle piled high with savory or sweet toppings. For lunch, grab The Whole Farm, starring thick pepper bacon and rich Chevre. If you want something sweet, you can't go wrong with the blueberry cheesecake waffle, topped with fluffy whipped cream made in-house.

Richmond features a higher-than-average selection of Thai restaurants, so choosing one can be difficult for the uninitiated. For some of the best Thai food in Portland, head to Appethaizing, a small space operated by an old Thai couple at Division and 32nd. You can get a giant serving of authentic Pad Thai for only $8.50. Be careful with spicy dishes — the chef does not skimp on the seasonings, and those not used to hot Thai spice might get more than they bargained for.

Locals head to the Landmark Saloon on Division for drinks after dark. Have the bartender mix you a fine cocktail, or order a pint of a local microbrew. Live bands play most nights, and you can catch a Sunday NFL game on the big-screen TV. Special note: Oregon law requires that all bars serve hot food, so you can have a meal with your IPA beer.

Traffic slows to a crawl on all of Richmond's main drags, especially during rush hour. If you need to drive out of the neighborhood, head west down Hawthorne, Division or Powell to hit Interstate 5 or one of Portland's bridges across the river to downtown. Parking within the neighborhood is unmetered, but drivers have trouble landing spots, especially on weekend evenings and closer to the main streets.

Rather than driving around in circles searching for a spot, you can walk to any of your nearby destinations. The short city blocks and density of the dining and shopping destinations make the neighborhood deserving of its high walkability score. Avoid cycling on the main drags, but know that Richmond has designated bike corridors, like Clintion and Lincoln Streets. Biking in Richmond is a breeze.

For longer trips, hop on a Trimet bus. Take the 9 down Powell, the 4 down Division or the 14 down Hawthorne and connect to other bus lines or to Portland's MAX light rail. The 75 on Cesar Chavez heads straight to the Hollywood Transit Center, where you can transfer to any of Portland's four MAX lines. Since Uber and Lyft don't serve Portland yet, and you can't hail a cab from the street, locals depend on Trimet for much of their city transportation. If you need a cab, call Radio Cab or Broadway Cab.

Richmond hosts two parks, Sewallcrest Park and Creston Park. Kids and families head to Sewallcrest, right off Hawthorne on 31st, for free fun at the playground and recreation areas. Older kids can play sports on the baseball diamond or basketball courts. Dogs can take a break from the leash and run around in the off-leash area. You can also get your hands dirty in the community garden. If you live on the other end of Richmond, take the dog to one of the several off-leash areas at Creston Park at Powell and 42nd. Get some exercise on the hilly trails while the kids splash in the community pool. Pool entrance costs $5.

Richmond residents pay a little more than average for the convenience of living within walking distance of so many urban amenities. Renters pay a median rental price of $971. To get to the city center on public transit, buy a Trimet day pass for $5. Expect to pay about $6 for a pint at the local pub. Drivers pay about 9 percent more per gallon of gas than the national average.

Gift shops, vintage stores and boutiques line the streets in Richmond. While Division hosts some great stores, walk down Hawthorne to find the best, most eclectic shopping options.

The world-famous Portland-based independent bookstore, Powell's, operates two satellite stores on Hawthorne. One acts as a smaller version of the original Powell's bookstore, and you can find all your necessities there -- bestsellers, local small press titles, Portland-themed gifts and handmade cards fill the shelves. The other location, two doors down, specializes in home and garden books and gifts.

Richmond features no shortage of vintage shops, and you can walk into at least half a dozen during a short walk down Hawthorne. Don't miss House of Vintage, a local favorite where 55 local merchants spread their vintage and antique wares over 13,000 square feet. The layout feels a bit like a maze, so carve out some time to wander through this enormous shop. Peruse the old records and toys, antique glassware and furniture, and tons of vintage clothes.

Locals buy groceries at New Seasons Market, a Portland-based store specializing in natural and organic foods. While street parking in the neighborhood poses problems for most, New Seasons shoppers enjoy the luxury of a rooftop lot. Head to their meat counter for good customer service and a great selection of grass-fed, organic meats.

If you want produce sourced even closer to home, head west back down Hawthorne to Kruger's Farm Market. Open every day, including holidays, from spring through November, Kruger's sells fruits and vegetables straight from the family farm. The prices are cheaper than anywhere else, too.