Holly Wood

Portland's Hollywood District, one of the most popular areas of Portland, offers a great mix of commercial and residential areas, drawing a young and hip crowd to its urban environment. This neighborhood lies just North of I84, roughly between 37th and 47th. Major roads through the neighborhood include Halsey, Broadway, and Sandy.

This Northeast Portland neighborhood is known for its historic, 1920s-era Hollywood Theatre. The surrounding commercial area draws residents from all over Northeast Portland. It's easy to get here by public transit, including the MAX light rail, though parking can be tricky. The commercial areas of Hollywood offer everything imaginable, from McDonalds to small local cafes and bars.

If you're looking to move here, expect lots of tiny studio apartments; many of the original 1920s-era homes in the neighborhood have been split into rentals. Along the residential streets in Hollywood, you'll find tree lined streets and charming, well-kept historic homes with lots of character. The South side (below Broadway) tends to be more affordable, and you'll find more apartment buildings there, mostly built in the mid-20th century.

This area is ideal for those who want a budget-friendly urban lifestyle. Hollywood has some urban crime, but feels very safe during the day, and even late at night if you're with a crowd.

Portland's Hollywood neighborhood is full of surprising historical places. It also is a major shopping area and business district. You can find this area right along the highway ramp to I-84.

I always would travel to the Trader Joe's in Hollywood since there are only a few locations in the city. Recently, they added a massive Whole Foods, so you would have to say, all in all, this is a great neighborhood for those who like organic groceries. Not to mention, right at the subway station Hollywood has its own large farmer's market.

Apparently, most people who live in the Hollywood area are renters and not homeowners. You do see a variety of cottages and bungalows, as well as some newer condo type buildings.

I have also frequented the Hollywood Theatre many times. This grand historic theatre is a major plus for those who live in Hollywood. Most of the city's film festivals take place at the Hollywood Theatre and they also show a variety of independent films.

Hollywood doesn't have a major park, but it is close to Grant Park, which has everything you could want from a park including a pool, baseball field, and dog area. This park also has the Beverly Cleary Scupture Garden, which is a nice fixture in this city.

The major negative thing I have to say about Hollywood is that you will find some ugly chain stores in this neighborhood that you won't find in other parts of the city. For example, Hollywood hosts a variety of fast food restaurants (that personally I prefer not to see!) There also can be quite a bit of traffic.