Northwest District (Portland, Oregon)

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A trendy neighborhood of Portland. Most Portlanders just call it "Northwest." Northwest is home to Nob Hill and the Alphabet District (so-called because of alphabetically organized streets). The two main streets are NW 23rd (nicknamed "Trendy Third") and NW 21st. Both are lined with shops and restaurants.

Trader Joe's, the low price gourmet market, is on Glisan between NW 21st and NW 22nd. The Mission Theater, a great place to see a 2nd run movie for $3 is at 1624 NW Glisan. Check out the current listings here: www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=72&id=169

You can get a great view of downtown and Mt. Hood from Vista Bridge which is on SW Vista Avenue, up the hill across Burnside (NW 23rd Ave becomes SW Vista Ave south of Burnside St). It's worth the walk up the hill to see the view on a clear day, or at night - to see the city lights.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_District,_Portland,_Oregon
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   45°32'0"N   122°42'17"W

Comments

  • I've lived near NW Glisan and NW 23rd for seventeen years and have never heard this area referred to as the "Alphabet District." Lots of streets run alphabetically, so this is just stupid. This is NW Portland to those of us under the age of 60. The original term for this neighborhood was Nob Hill, which is what you'll hear older folks call it. Hence the Nob Hill Pharmacy, Nob Hill Shoes, Nob Hill Dental, Nob Hill Bar & Grill, Nob Hill Apartments, and Nob Hill Travel. Maybe you'll hear a recent immigrant from California call it some stupid alphabet name, but really this entry should be relabeled. At best "Alphabet District" is tourist speak.
  • I agree that the alphabet name is silly and should be changed. Also, the real name of "Suicide Bridge" is Vista Bridge, and it's technically not in Northwest but Southwest Portland, as it is south of Burnside.
  • كيف الحال
  • All of the street signs in the neighborhood call it the alphabet district ... it's not a name I hear frequently, but I believe it's accurate.
  • I call it the alphabet district, and I'm way under 60. If people don't know what I'm talking about, then I just say, "you know, Northwest." Big deal.
  • Seriously, who gives a **** what you call it? Nits.
  • HOLA HAI I FRON MALAYSIA NICE TO MEET YOU
  • I've lived in Portland for 15 years and used to hang out in "Northwest" alot. I've never heard anyone called it "Northwest". I've heard "northwest portland" -just my two cents.
  • It was actually a ship's Captain that had owned the land at first. He named the streets, I believe. I always thought that he was very a organized type of person.
  • I changed the outline to line up with the Neighborhood Boundaries: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=35281
  • It's the Alphabet District, folks. Get over it. I haven't lived in Portland a terribly long time, but I've only heard someone call it "Nob Hill" once. Every other time, it's been the "Alphabet District." And I think it's a great name. Something different.
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This article was last modified 10 years ago