If you’re house hunting around Portland, you’ve probably considered a home in Sellwood, a neighborhood just a few minutes south of downtown Portland.
Sellwood is a beautiful, historic area (filled with quaint antique shops and turn-of-the-century bungalows, cottages and Victorian homes) that originally started out as a rival city to Portland.
It had saloons, blacksmith shops, hotels and a hospital by the time it was annexed into the city of Portland in 1893. Its unique history is still very well-preserved today, in both the architectural styles of the homes and a rich sense of community.
Sellwood Landmarks
Many houses in Sellwood come with a great view since the entire neighborhood is located on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River. Sellwood is bordered by Westmoreland, Eastmoreland and Brooklyn neighborhoods, and is linked to Southwest Portland by the Sellwood Bridge which spans the Willamette River.
Built in 1925, the Sellwood Bridge was Portland’s first span bridge. It’s still in use, although efforts are being made by Multnomah County to either renovate or replace it within the next decade.
If you plan on buying a house in Sellwood and commuting to Portland, be prepared to deal with some traffic especially in the evening since the Sellwood Bridge is the only river crossing for a few miles in either direction.
Sellwood Schools and Attractions
Education is a high priority in this family-centered community. For younger children, Llewellyn Elementary offers a variety of after school programs and provides a free breakfast for students.
Sellwood Middle School brings together students and teachers from several small communities and emphasizes a team-oriented learning environment with parents and families, while at Sellwood’s Cleveland High School approximately 80% of students pursue further education after graduating.
For kids (and adults too) Sellwood has Oaks Amusement Park which was built in 1905. It’s the perfect place to take your family for some summer excitement, featuring roller coasters, go carts, bumper cars, a children’s theater, and Oregon’s most famous indoor roller-skating rink.
Movie-goers will enjoy Moreland Theater, a locally-owned, old-fashioned cinema experience with high ceilings, detailed architecture, and cushy, spacious seats. In addition, it costs less than traditional theaters while still playing new releases.
And for the nature lovers, Oaks Bottom is Sellwood’s scenic wildlife refuge that offers trails for hiking and exploring along with many opportunities to view birds, beavers, ducks and other animals.
Sellwood Homes
Homes in Sellwood are generally older and more established, with plenty of character and architectural design. Due to the appeal of the area, however, you’ll also find scattered pockets of newer condos and townhouses. Sellwood real estate can be more expensive than real estate in other parts of Southeast Portland, but it’s still affordable to purchase a home there.
If you’re looking for that perfect starter home in Sellwood, you can buy a 1 bedroom bungalow in the low $200k. For an active family who needs 4 bedrooms—or buyers who want an older home with character—you’ll probably find a house in Sellwood for around $400k. If an elaborate penthouse is more your style, Sellwood has them too, but with a price upwards of $1 million.
No matter what style or size of home you want to buy, one thing is sure: you’ll love the way Sellwood feels. There’s a strong sense of pride in the Sellwood community, along with a family-friendly focus, which has contributed to making the neighborhood highly desirable and a great place to live.
If you’re interested in buying a Sellwood home (or if you live there and are thinking about selling your home in Sellwood) feel free to contact us with any questions.
Peter Stewart is a licensed real estate broker in Portland, Oregon as well as a frequent contributing writer for OHM. Please don't hesitate to contact him with any questions you may have about buying or selling a home in the Portland area.
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