If you aspire to live in a neighborhood far from the city center where houses are situated on large lots, you rarely see your neighbors, and a car is required for transportation, then the Sellwood neighborhood in southeast Portland would not be a good fit.

Located about five miles south of Portland on the east side of the Willamette River, the area that would later be called Sellwood was settled in the mid-1800s by folks arriving on the Oregon Trail.

The town of Sellwood was incorporated in 1883 and annexed into Portland only six years later. Now fast forward 130 years. Today it’s a vibrant neighborhood that attracts an eclectic mix of residents and businesses.

Since Ken and Gloria live in Sellwood (and love it!), it became home base during our visit to Portland. We felt comfortable right away, and I had fun taking a few photos on our walks through the neighborhood. I hope you enjoy this brief photo tour of Sellwood.

There’s a mix of older, traditional homes . . .

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. . . and newer, contemporary construction.

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Residents take pride in personalizing their décor.

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There’s no shortage of places to eat . . .

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. . . including food trucks clustered on vacant lots . . .

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. . . and food direct from the source to consumers.

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Other goods and services are available in the neighborhood . . .

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. . . as well as schools and places of worship.

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Enjoy art while strolling the streets.

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Visit the parks and socialize at the playgrounds . . .

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. . . or explore miles of walking and cycling trails in the natural areas.

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There’s a palpable sense of community in Sellwood . . .

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. . . and more than a hint of Portland quirkiness.

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We had a wonderful time!