{"id":112311,"date":"2021-01-21T00:47:55","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T08:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/?p=112311"},"modified":"2026-02-13T00:12:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T08:12:19","slug":"st-johns-portland-living-in-a-small-town-within-a-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentcafe.com\/blog\/local-resources\/st-johns-portland-living-in-a-small-town-within-a-city\/","title":{"rendered":"St. John\u2019s, Portland: Living in a Small Town Within a City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cross over the St. John’s Bridge for a quiet reprieve from urban living with a small-town vibe. Despite its tranquility and gorgeous views of rivers and lakes, you don’t have to compromise the convenience of urban amenities. You’re not far from the Pearl District or Downtown Portland where the bustle of the city is waiting for you.<\/p>\n

Living in St. John also means lush parks, greenspace and inspired waterfront views at your doorstep. You have your choice of hiking trails and waterfront parks to explore. But despite how tightly St. John’s embraces nature, there are still trendy places to shop and imbibe into the evening hours.<\/p>\n

Where is St. John’s?<\/h3>\n

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St. John’s is located at the tip of the plateau in North Portland where the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers meet. The neighborhood\u2019s coveted position along the waterfront makes multiple water views possible. They\u2019re truly spectacular and draw crowds looking for a tranquil urban escape without leaving the city.<\/p>\n

Despite being tucked away 15-minutes from the bustle of Downtown, nothing is too far away. University Park is just a stone\u2019s throw to the south east of St. John\u2019s. Or head into the forested areas of Northwest Portland along the neighborhood\u2019s western edges. To the north, you\u2019ll find Vancouver, Washington where locals can commute across state lines.<\/p>\n

History<\/h3>\n

Over a hundred years ago, St. John’s was its own incorporated city. In 1915, the area was approved for annexation into Portland, although apparently, locals weren’t wild about paying city taxes and high prices for well water. It’s not surprising that St. John retains its independent sensibilities and represents a side of Portland visitors never venture out to see.<\/p>\n

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St. John’s is also home to the famous namesake steel suspension bridge expanding over the Willamette River. The bridge\u2019s gothic towers soar over 400 ft. into the air and greets locals commuting home from Downtown Portland. The bridge backdrop creates a stunning backdrop for the popular Cathedral Park below.<\/p>\n

Lifestyle<\/h3>\n

What to Do<\/strong><\/p>\n

Greenspace, parks and waterfront are the main draw around St. John’s, with plenty to explore. The neighborhood is also a popular spot for escaping the summer heat on the sandy beaches and shorelines along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.<\/p>\n

Take a walk or a dip in the watering holes along Kelly Point Park with views of the Columbia River. As the largest river by volume in the U.S., it\u2019s also home to massive barges and shipping containers. It\u2019s easy to see why boat watching is a favorite pastime.<\/p>\n

St. John\u2019s is also home to the largest urban freshwater wetland wildlife refuge in the country. Smith and Bybee Lakes are prime bird watching locations where binoculars are a must for wildlife sightings. The neighborhood gem, Cathedral Park, is also steeped in history. The area is thought to be a landing site during Lewis and Clark\u2019s exploration of the Vancouver and Portland area.<\/p>\n

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The dog-friendly neighborhood is also home to Chimney Park spanning 18-acres. It’s a popular spot for dogs for its secure fencing and room to roam. The park lies alongside Pier Park complete with a skate park, recreational fields, splash pad and disc golf.<\/p>\n

Beyond the plentiful green space, you’ll find independent and family-owned boutiques, restaurants and markets peppered around St. John\u2019s. Go window shopping along North Lombard for antique shops and quirky boutiques. Saturdays attract a crowd to St. Johns Square and the local farmers market featuring farm-fresh baked goods and produce.<\/p>\n

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The historically lower rents around St. John’s make it attractive to creative spirits looking for an affordable place to live and practice their craft. Look for artists’ workshops and maker spaces for rent, like Green Anchors that welcomes welders and artisans.<\/p>\n

After a day of exploring, shopping and imbibing, relax for a second-rate movie at McMenamins St. Johns Theater & Pub. It doesn’t matter if you’ve seen the movie before when you can sip handcrafted ales and pub fare to enjoy with the show.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat & Drink<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start the morning at St. John’s Coffee Roasters and savor the organic, fair-trade beans and local chatter. Locals stop in for budget-friendly tacos located in the back of Taqueria Santa Cruz during the lunch rush. The Mexican grocery store and bakery is famous for its fresh ingredients and authentic fare.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Coffee Shop Corners (@coffeeshopcorners)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n