Northeast Portland’s Cully Neighborhood – Truly, A Diamond In the Rough
There is a movement happening in the Northeast Portland neighborhood of Cully. Passion for a sense of place and pride in ownership is apparent, as the community continuously pulls together, enhancing the area and creating a family-friendly environment.
Neighbors in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood are proud of their community. Image courtesy: Billy Brown
Their latest project is one for the history books! Living Cully, a collaboration of Hacienda CDC, the Native American Youth and Family Center, and Verde, have decided to take the neighborhood back. The group pulled their own investments and Indiegogo funds to purchase the black sheep in the area, The Sugar Shack. Seedy, and rumored to be conducting illegal activities, the strip club was an eyesore that parents were no longer willing to accept. The space will now cater to the needs of the community, potentially offering retail services, a community center, a youth recreation center, and a business incubator.
Family and livability are top of mind as neighbors converge and create community gardens, events, and festivals. They even petitioned the city for a new park! Khunamokwst Park, located at NE 52nd and Alberta, celebrated its grand opening on May 16, 2015. The 2.4 acre park is complete with playground, innovative “nature play” area with boulders to climb on, interactive water feature, walking and jogging paths, picnic tables, and even a small skate park for beginners.
Cully fights for more parkland in Northeast Portland. Khunamokwst Park celebrated its grand opening on May 16th, 2015.
Taking Notice,
All of this growth and numerous “do-gooder” stories, are attracting attention from investors and first-time homebuyers. Like the rest of Portland, development is surging; but, thanks to the active neighborhood involvement in Cully, issues like crime and traffic control are being met head on.
Why Cully? What Do The Residents Say?
- Affordability with easy access to downtown, numerous amenities, and jobs
- Extra large lot sizes are excellent for raising families and urban farming
- One of the highest levels of cultural diversity seen in close-in Portland (51% of Cully residents represent communities of color vs. 28% citywide)
- A strong sense of community identity and involvement from neighbors
- A balanced mix of commercial and residential development
- Easy access to HWY 205, Columbia Blvd, Portland International Airport, and shopping at Cascade Station.
Dog Park’s like Sacajawea Off-leash Dog Park in Cully are a favorite for dog-owners. Northeast Portland. Image courtesy: Anneheathen
- Parks: Sacajawea Off-leash Dog Park, Whitaker Ponds Nature Park, Khunamokwst Park
- An impressive mix of restaurants, pubs, bakeries, and shopping along the 42nd Avenue corridor and Fremont St.
- Friendly community gardens: Rigler Community Garden, Emma’s Garden, Cully Neighborhood Farm and Farmers Market, and others
Community gardens have been popping up all over Cully neighborhood in Northeast Portland. Image Courtesy: d-olwen-dee
“I have lived in Irvington and Rose City Park as well
as downtown, and definitely feel the diversity of Cully
was a draw–ethnic, spatial, property size and style.
The people are more interesting and just as good!”
— Cully Resident (Source: pdx.edu)
What might a weekend in the life of a Cully resident look like?
Friday –
At the end of a long week at your tech job downtown, you hop a quick ride on the Max and connect with the #75 Bus, which takes you up the Alameda Ridge to your favorite watering hole, Nepo 42. After a glass of Reverend Nat’s Overlook Organic Heirloom Cider, you and couple of companions head over to Old Salt Market, hoping to get a bite of their famous pork chops before they sell out. Satisfied, you pop into Pollo Norte for a whole rotisserie chicken, which is perfect for making chicken sandwiches for the kids’ lunch next week. After dropping the chicken at home, you and your better half head out to the Spare Room to cut it up on the dance floor.
42nd Avenue Corridor in Northeast Portland has a variety of options available to quench your palate, from a dry cider to a rich IPA. Image courtesy: Austin Kirk:
Saturday –
After sleeping in, you and the family skip down to Jim & Patty’s Coffee Shop. This duo has been brewing coffee and serving up pastries since 1974, and their sour cream coffee cake is famous! Loaded on latte, it’s back to the home front to finish the tree house. Later, a craving for Jamaican Jerk starts creeping into your senses. So, you load up the crew and head to Fire on the Mountain, who arguably serve the best wings in town with 12 different sauces.
Jim & Patty’s Coffee is a favorite in Northeast Portland. Patrons from Beumont neighborhood and Cully pop in to catch up and sample the house made pastries and baked goods. Image Courtesy: Jeff Nelson –
Sunday –
You start the day with a hearty namaste at Bikram Yoga Fremont Street, then meet the family at Sacajawea Park to let Bella run free. Persuaded by the blue sky, you venture on to Emma’s Garden to pick up some fresh tomatoes. And, on the way home, indulging in a lavish rueben from Ira’s Deli is a must! Another perfect weekend!
Ira’s Deli on Prescott is known throughout Northeast Portland for serving up hot sandwiches and gyros. Image courtesy: Incase
Cully Real Estate –
Period: August – November 2015
Average Listing Price: $370,790
Average Sales Price: $307,417
Median Sales Price: $299,975
Price per square foot: $259
Home Styles: Modest family homes, ranches, smaller Craftsmans
Population: 13,000+
Size: three square miles.
Livability Score: 75 (source areavibes.com)
Distinctions: Named one of Portland’s Hottest Microhoods by PDX Monthly
Future Growth: Zillow reports that Cully home values have gone up 11.4% over the past year, they also predict that values will rise 5.5% within the next year.
For more information about Cully neighborhood, available properties, or to list your home, please contact Home Sweet Home Realty via email at info@hshrealty.net or by phone at (503) 515-2986.
Written by Jennifer Kane, Expanded Exposure LLC.