Neighborhood Focus--Buckman

Last weekend I was out wandering, as I am keen to do on a beautiful Portland morning, and I found my self looking around Buckman. And, my first thought was, "Buckman? I could live here!"

Buckman is located primarily between the Belmont/Hawthorne area and the Willamette River. Being on the outskirts of those hip neighborhoods, it has a more funky flair. There are beautiful old Portland homes with wicked character that looked lived in a comforting way. The owner's personality shines through and you can almost imagine who lives in each house just from the cars and flags and toys you can see at each home.

It is no surprise that such an expressive and unique neighborhood is also home to one of Portland's arts magnet schools, Buckman Arts Focus Elementary. That is even more fitting since the neighborhood is named after early school board member Cyrus Buckman, an orchardist from the late 1800s.

There is a lot to do in the immediate neighborhood, too, without even venturing into nearby Hawthorne or Belmont. The popular Doug Fir Lounge offers hip drinks and cool music, there is rockabilly at Duff's Garage, and bowling and fine food at Grand Central. And who wouldn't want to live walking distance from Voodoo Doughnuts?

Get involved with the Buckman community by checking in with the neighborhood association, or maybe hang out at one of the many local parks, like Buckman Field or Col. Summers Park.

And, if you love Buckman as much as many of its residents do, you never have to leave. Literally. You can eventually, umm, move your residence into the Lone Fir Cemetery.

If you want to find out more about Buckman or explore the streets with me sometime, get in touch.