Wilkes-Hemlock Portland, OR

When Lewis and Clark first discovered the area around Wilkes-Hemlock, they chose Government Island as a landing site. Once settlers from the east began building homes in the area, they used this island to grow hay for the booming agricultural economy in the area. The ports along the Columbia River expanded in the early 1900s, and many residents began settling in the Wilkes-Hemlock neighborhood. In the mid-1900s, it became home to food and industrial manufacturing businesses. The East County Historical Society calls this neighborhood home. Visit its historical locations to learn about the famous families who lived in Wilkes-Hemlock, and how they influenced the area. Since the neighborhood focuses on manufacturing, Wilkes-Hemlock does not have a huge arts scene, so local residents head to the entertainment hub of downtown Portland.

Wilkes-Hemlock produces high-quality ingredients that ship to other restaurants throughout the state. The area's diverse range of restaurants reflects its dedication to food, especially when you drive down Sandy Boulevard. For piles of sweet peppers over melted provolone and hearty steak, stop by Grant’s Philly Cheesesteaks on Sandy Boulevard. This Wilkes-Hemlock staple serves the best cheesesteaks this side of the country. Get a classic sandwich, or shake things up with an order of cheesesteak nachos. Make this your go-to destination on your lunch break at work, since the shop closes on weekends. If you want lighter fare, head over to Honey Jar Cafe also on Sandy Boulevard. This Thai restaurant serves filling portions of chicken pad Thai, as well as light yogurt snacks. The cafe combines Thai food staples with American favorites such as doughnuts and hamburgers. Come here in the morning for coffee and pastries, and come back in the afternoon for a Thai salad. When you're in the mood for a simple beer with a burger and fries, find everything you need at Red Apple Bar and Grill. This bar has a wide selection of sandwiches, salads and burgers, including a patty melt sandwich served with steak fry wedges. Order their fish and chips featuring deep-fried halibut. In addition to Red Apple Bar and Grill, Wilkes-Hemlock features some of the best bars on the northeast side of the city. Watch your favorite sports team play at Venture Inn Sports Bar and Tavern, a classic dive bar providing pool tables and draft beer to thirsty customers. Visit Spud Monkey’s Bar and Grill across Highway 84 to grab a loaded baked potato and a signature cocktail.

Taking a car remains your best bet to get around quickly in Wilkes-Hemlock, but residents have plenty of other transportation options. Choose Tri-Met to get anywhere in the neighborhood or in downtown Portland. This public transportation service has buses, streetcars or light rail trains to take you anywhere you need to go. For a custom ride home, call a cab, since Uber doesn't operate here. Find free public parking along the residential neighborhoods to the southwest section of Wilkes-Hemlock, or park in one of the shopping center parking lots. Wilkes-Hemlock's location near major roads makes it a very convenient place to live. Travel along Highway 30B via Sandy Boulevard to head east or west of the neighborhood. Drive to Interstate 84 on its south side to get to downtown Portland quickly. Connect from Interstate 84 onto Interstate 205 to get into Washington. Even if you don't drive, this neighborhood has options for you. Safely walk through the residential zones, or take your bike for a spin along one of its dozens of bike lanes.

Wilkes-Hemlock's close proximity to the Columbia River and the Columbia Slough Trail make it one of the ideal spots for park lovers. Head to The Zimmerman Heritage Farm on the east side of the neighborhood for a piece of history. This park was originally a turn-of-the-century dairy farm built in the 1900s. Tourists come to the park to relax along its acres of open fields. Tour groups come through the park regularly. For family fun, visit Wilkes Park on the east side of the neighborhood. This park features a play area for children and open grass. Joggers come to the neighborhood for the Columbia Slough Trail, a long, winding passage that takes visitors along the waterway that cuts into the neighborhood from the Columbia River. These parks are free to the public, and most welcome pets. Make sure you keep your pets on a leash.

Residents flock to Wilkes-Hemlock because its cost of living sits about 3 percent less than that of downtown Portland. You save money on more than just groceries and transportation, since the average rental rate holds at $685 for a one-bedroom apartment. Get anywhere in the neighborhood or all the way to downtown Portland for as low as $2.50 on a Tri-Met bus. When you take your own car, expect to pay about 9 percent more for gas in this area than the national average. Entertainment comes at bargain prices in Wilkes-Hemlock, with a bottle of beer costing about $3 at most local pubs.

Although you won't find any major shopping centers in Wilkes-Hemlock, the entire neighborhood houses dozens of shops scattered all along its borders. Most shops sit along Sandy Boulevard, with manufacturing plants to the north of the area near the Columbia River. What the neighborhood lacks in high-end stores, it makes up for in affordable shopping and original items. Hiking enthusiasts shop at Danner for high-quality hiking boots and accessories. Whether you need a pair of shoes and a jacket to make a trek up a mountain or protective footwear for work, Danner has you covered. Residents here never have to travel far for their grocery needs. Costco members find wholesale items at its location near Airport Way. Head south of Interstate 84 to shop at Fred Meyer, WinCo Foods or Safeway. What makes this neighborhood unique remains its dedication to locally-sourced foods. Shop at Fulton for locally-butchered meat, or order homemade bread at Portland Specialty Baking. Visit the Portland Farmers Market during harvest seasons to get home-grown produce.