Submitted by Kate Baldus

I recently bought a house in the St. Johns neighborhood in North Portland - close to the University of Portland.  I am constantly reminded that people in Portland and surrounding areas think that St. Johns is its own town.  While it was originally a separate incorporated city it was annexed by Portland in 1915.  The drive from downtown Portland along Highway 30 and across the stunning St. Johns Bridge is only about 10-15 minutes and actually less time then most commute to many of the popular eastside neighborhoods.  The best part is that St. Johns is still relatively undiscovered (which is probably why I could afford to buy there!)  

St. Johns is named for the settler James John who laid the original eight block town site in 1865.  This outdoorsy neighborhood is bordered by the Columbia River to the northeast and the Willamette River (separating it from Sauvie Island and Linnton) to the northwest.  Most locals add the Cathedral Park neighborhood and refer to the entire area as St. Johns, including the main business district on Lombard/Ivanhoe as "Downtown St. Johns."

Why visit, live or play in St. Johns?  There are some great new businesses opening in the neighborhood such as Greg's, Orlean's Candle Company, and Proper Eats.  Anna Bannanas has become a staple of downtown St. Johns with live music some evenings and healthy goodies and coffee selections.  If you want to relax you can catch a film at the St. Johns Theater on Lombard serving pizza and beer.  To top it off, what neighborhood would be complete without a McMenamins... Across from Blockbuster on Ivanhoe, this particular pub and theater was built in 1905 as the National Cash Register Company's exhibit hall for Portland's Lewis and Clark Exposition.   To arrive in St. Johns, this ornate building was barged down the Willamette River to its current location where it has housed a Lutheran Church, American Legion Post, bingo parlor, and home for Gypsy wakes.  

Many Portlanders "trek" to St. Johns for the numerous parks and natural areas.  Take a stroll across the bridge and immediately up into forest park (over 70 miles of hiking trails) or discover disc golf at Pier Park, considered one of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the northwest.  Kelley Point Park and the Smith and Bybee Lakes wildlife sanctuary are just a five minute drive from downtown St. Johns and great for wildlife watching.  In the summers the bike lanes are filled with avid  bicyclists making the loop from downtown Portland through St. Johns and down Highway 30.

While my friends might not visit because they think I live a little far away (boy are they missing out!) I have fallen in love with my neighborhood.  Friends of Trees activities, packed community centers for neighborhood association meetings, fun events in Cathedral Park and downtown St. Johns festivals make this neighborhood a great place to live - Just don't forget that it is still considered Portland, zip code 97203!