What makes Alameda a great place to live?
Plentiful amenities, historic homes, beautiful tree-lined streets, block parties with neighbors, great schools—everyone has their reason, and there are many to choose from. Alameda residents enjoy easy access to restaurants, shops, and parks. In fact, 85% of us live within half a mile of three area parks: Wilshire Park, which borders Alameda on the northeast, Grant Park to the southeast, and Irving Park to the west, with additional playgrounds and splash pads close by.
Our close proximity to downtown Portland means residents have one of the shortest average commutes in the city, and some 16% of us commute by bike - well above the 6% for the city as a whole.
More than location or amenities, what makes Alameda a thriving, livable community are the neighbors who welcome newcomers, celebrate together, and work to create a growing, nurturing, and sustaining environment where all feel welcomed, safe and included.
We host block parties in the summer, pitch in at neighborhood cleanups in the spring, swap gardening tips year-round, and come together through the Alameda Neighborhood Association to address concerns and support sustainable policies.
Alameda's tree-lined streets are a gathering place for block parties in summer
Community
More than location, environment or architecture, what makes Alameda, well Alameda, is the community of neighbors. It's our connection at summer block parties, meeting new neighbors at the neighborhood association's annual ice cream social, volunteering at the spring clean-up and the way neighbors show up for each other for both celebrations and support that defines us.
As a primarily residential neighborhood with nearly 92%homeownership and where 85% of school age children attend Alameda Elementary, (one of the highest matriculation rates in the region) we're invested in our community and it shows. Connect with the Alameda Neighborhood Association to learn more about our advocacy and engagement efforts.
Lyon Court businesses at the corner of NE 24th & Fremont include a Pilates studio, coffee shop & pet supply store.
Amenities
Parks, libraries, shops, restaurants--it's all in reach. Alameda boasts a locally owned coffee shop and coffee roaster, restaurant, garden and retail shops along Fremont. Professional services including medical and financial services are part of the fabric of our neighborhood to help you live, work, and thrive here.
Similarly, choices abound for fresh food with three New Seasons and two Whole Foods grocery stores within a mile, and two farmer’s markets in the adjacent Hollywood and Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhoods. The nearby Hollywood and Albina library branches are hubs for readers and learners of all ages.
Alameda Elementary, built in 1921, serves 550 neighborhood children
Strong Schools
Alameda Elementary School, built in 1921, sits at the heart of the neighborhood and has long been recognized as one of the top-rated public schools in the city for its dedicated teaching staff and engaged parents.
The Madeleine School, a private parish school for grades K-8 is also within Alameda neighborhood boundaries. Some families in the area have sent multiple generations of children to Alameda or Madeleine schools, creating deep connections within the community and strong support for students.
Alameda Elementary, Beaumont Middle and Grant High are the assigned public schools for much of Alameda neighborhood.
Broadway Street Car line that served Alameda from 1910-1948
Rich with History
Though we think of Alameda now as the vibrant residential heart of inner NE Portland, it was once at the eastern edge the city. In the late 19th century, the Alameda neighborhood was established on the farm site of William and Isabell Bowering, but few homes or streets were established prior to the 1910's.
In 1909, the Alameda Land Company laid out the Alameda Park subdivision and a year later the Broadway Street Car line began service to the area. Families flocked to the well-built, spacious homes and the neighborhood quickly became a popular and accessible "street car suburb." Most homes in Alameda were built between 1900 and 1940, with a lovely mix of grand old Craftsman, Tudor, Bungalow, and Colonial styles.
Local historian Doug Decker is the author of the Alameda Old House History blog, which features stories about life in the Alameda neighborhood, street names, homes of note, and resources for historical research.