5 houses in Portland, Oregon, home of NBA's three-point-threat Damian Lillard

By Rebecca Fishbein | April 25, 2019 - 10:00AM

This week, Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard made history when he knocked the Oklahoma Thunder out of the 2019 NBA playoffs with a game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer. It was a wild moment, and one that adds to Portland's canon of cool. The show "Portlandia" jokingly dubbed Portland "the place where young people go to retire," and though that's not quite true, the 647,805-population city is a decidedly chill, laid-back town laden with good coffee, a thriving culinary scene, and lots of hip 20- and 30-somethings, so the satire doesn't fall too far from the tree.

First up, the coffee: Portland is home to some of the best roasters in the country. Stumptown Coffee Roasters is based in Portland, as are Coava, Upper Left, and Heart Roasters. The roasteries have cafes all over town, though you can also try their beans at coffee shops like Albina Press and Barista. Portland's also got a slew of celebrated sustainable farm-to-table eateries, like Clarklewis, Beast, and Irving Street Kitchen, plus it's the birthplace of Voodoo Doughnut, in addition to a large number of great dives and funky cocktail bars.

Another notable amenity is Powell's Books, an independent bookstore so large it makes NYC's The Strand look like a magazine stand. Plus, the city is bike-friendly, eco-friendly, and 4/20-friendly, having legalized recreational marijuana in 2014.

And though housing in Portland isn't exactly cheap—according to Zillow, the median listing price is $450,000, which is slightly higher than the national average of $285,000—you can get some beautiful, spacious real estate for less than what you'd pay in Manhattan. If any of the above sounds appealing, here's a taste of what's out there:

Urban Nest Realty

3257 SE Stephens St., Hawthorne

This four-bedroom, two-bath Craftsman, also pictured above, was built in 1907, and features classic touches like hardwood floors and a fireplace. Other highlights include an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances; an open-concept living/dining room with lots of light; a wood-paneled office space, and an attached garage. The house is located in Portland's Hawthorne District, a hip neighborhood known for its funky thrift stores, bars, brewpubs, cafes, and music venues. It is priced at $760,000.

MORE Realty

1500 SW 5th Ave, Unit 805, Downtown Portland

If you prefer more urban living, downtown Portland provides easy, walkable access to museums, restaurants, transit, and the downtown Voodoo Doughnut outpost, which is important. There are also a number of apartment buildings, including the one housing this two-bedroom, two-bath condo. A wall of windows in the condo's open-concept living area and kitchen offer panoramic views of the city. Other highlights include a gorgeous glass-walled shower in the master suite, built-in cabinetry in the kitchen, and a private gym and pool in the building. The unit is priced at $545,000.

Windermere Real Estate

3044 NW Thurman St., Willamette Heights

This three-bedroom, two-bath Craftsman, located in Northwest Portland's Willamette Heights, has high ceilings, a fireplace, and a wraparound deck. Other highlights include a handsome kitchen with wood cabinets and granite countertops, an unfinished basement, and an inviting front porch. The Willamette Heights area is actually known for its historic Craftsman houses (this one was built in 1903) and is located close to Forest Park, one of the country's biggest urban forests. The house is priced at $779,900.

(W)here, Inc.

3102 SW Fairview Blvd., Arlington Heights

If you've got a little more cash, consider this three-bedroom, three-bath house, designed by famed Portland-based architect Wade Pipes. Pipes was known for modeling his houses after English townhomes, and this particular creation is no exception, featuring an inviting parlor with a fireplace, French doors, elegant light fixtures, and wrought-iron fences. Other highlights include a remodeled kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a master suite with a glass-doored shower, and a beautiful backyard with a stone patio. The house is located in Arlington Heights, a Southwest Portland neighborhood known for its grand houses and beautiful parks. It is priced at $1,025,000.

Windermere Realty Trust

1420 NW Lovejoy St. Apt. 408, Pearl District

Portland's Pearl District was once a warehouse-filled industrial section of the city. Now it's one of Portland's most fashionable neighborhoods, home to art galleries, high-rise condominiums, and Powell's Books. This two-bedroom, two-bath condo mimics the neighborhood's industrial feel, featuring exposed wood ceilings, big windows, and wood columns. The apartment is designed loft-style, lending itself to an airy open-concept living/dining/kitchen area, in addition to two bedroom spaces. There is also a washer and dryer in the condo. The unit is priced at $639,000.

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