Named after a volcano and a developer’s daughter, Mount Scott-Arleta is an old streetcar neighborhood in Southeast Portland that’s become a center for the artistic community. It’s home to everything from a colorful Latin and Central American food cart pod to a triangular plaza that hosts many of the community’s events. Along the neighborhood’s main commercial thoroughfare, SE Foster Road, are numerous establishments that range from an organic market to a Detroit-inspired brewery, giving residents easy access to local flavors. Another appeal of the neighborhood is Mount Scott Park, which features a popular community center that is currently undergoing a massive renovation project. For other outside adventures, locals can enjoy their proximity to nearby green spaces, like Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. As for homes, Mount Scott-Arleta offers a diverse streetscape, offering primarily older, single-family constructions, including classic bungalows. The community is also home to some newer builds. With easy access to surrounding neighborhoods, locals enjoy nearby events. At just around 6 miles from downtown Portland, Mount Scott-Arleta offers a lively community not too far from the heart of the city.
Shops along SE Foster Road
Many of the neighborhood’s shops and restaurants are located along SE Foster Road, including Assembly Brewing, which offers Detroit-style pizza and house-made craft beers. Spanning the walls is an artwork influenced by artist Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals. For breakfast, locals can head to Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels, and another popular spot along the road is Off the Griddle, a vibrant vegan restaurant that puts its own spin on brunch classics like chicken and waffles. While these establishments are popular, Mount Scott-Arleta’s main food attraction is the Portland Mercado, which offers patrons a collection of colorful Central and South American food carts that serve an array of flavors. “It’s really the community’s crown jewel of eating. There’s everything you could possibly want,” Noble-Ashford says. “It gets especially popular in the summer. You’ll see people sitting at picnic tables, sipping on margaritas and fresh-pressed juices. It’s a great place to meet up and hang out with a friend.” Residents can grab groceries at the locally-owned organic Bread & Roses Market or head to the nearby Trader Joe’s for a wider selection of goods.
Older single-family homes and new constructions
Along streets laid out in a grid-like fashion are primarily non-HOA single-family properties, many of which were built before the 1930s when the city’s streetcar network began to fade. From bungalows to Craftsman cottages to Foursquares, Mount Scott-Arleta, like many other Southeast Portland neighborhoods, features a diverse housing scene. Scattered in the community are also plenty of midcentury constructions like ranch-style dwellings. The neighborhood is also home to a couple of newer builds that feature contemporary designs and modern amenities. Prices typically range from $285,000 to nearly $1 million, depending on the property’s age, size and location. Typically, on the lower end of the scale are small dwellings in need of renovation, while properties on the higher end are often newer constructions. Homes typically sit on small, grassy lawns that stretch toward streets on which some people park. Many residents have garages, and although some streets have sidewalks, others do not. While Mount Scott-Arleta is primarily comprised of single-story dwellings, the community is also home to some townhouses, condos and apartment complexes. Around 60% of residents own their properties here. Like many other urban communities, Mount Scott-Arleta has a relatively high sound score.
Arleta Triangle Square and a nearby farmers market
At the intersection of SE 72nd Street and Woodstock Boulevard is the Arleta Triangle Square. As a response to increasing car-based gun violence, locals helped cultivate a public plaza on what was once a right-turn lane. It's complete with a rainbow-colored ground, picnic tables and native plants. Here, the community hosts everything from live music events, which transform the vibrantly colored street into a dance floor, to markets, like the Arleta Triangle Makers Market, where patrons can peruse local goods. A big element of fostering these community-oriented initiatives is the Mount Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association. Residents here are not just limited to their community. “It’s hard to just stay in the neighborhood since it’s a pretty compact area," Noble-Ashford says. “Lots of people will go to one of the surrounding communities for activities.” Less than 1.5 miles away is the Woodstock Farmers Market, which runs on Sundays from June to October. In November, Woodstock hosts the November Harvest Market.
Mt. Scott Park and nearby recreational spaces
Residents will be near plenty of recreational opportunities that can satisfy their desire for some time spent outside. “The real heart of the neighborhood is its spectacular community center and park,” Noble-Ashford says. “Pretty much everyone I know in the neighborhood is a member.” Mount Scott Community Center is currently closed, with a predicted reopening in Spring 2025, as it is currently undergoing major renovations; however, throughout the years, it has been a hot spot for residents wanting to enjoy everything from swimming laps in the pool to practicing their roller-skating skills. At the surrounding green space of Mount Scott Park, visitors can spend some time playing tennis and walking along wooded paths. Locals will also enjoy a convenient location to nearby attractions, including the 611-acre Powell Butte Nature Park, where hikers can trek through miles of meadowland and slopes of wooded areas while they try to spot local wildlife like black-tailed mule deer. Also nearby is the Eastmoreland Golf Course, the city’s second-oldest golf course and the 9.5-acre Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, where visitors can immerse themselves among everything from rare rhododendrons and unusual trees. Wildlife photographers can enjoy trying to capture the over 90 species of birds spotted in the gardens.
Portland Public Schools and nearby higher learning institutions
Mount Scott-Arleta children enroll in Portland Public Schools, which serve over 45,000 students. Some children in the neighborhood attend Arleta Elementary School, which receives a B rating from Niche. The elementary is one of the area’s SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods), which means that it serves as a community center, offering, among other amenities, adult classes and after-school gathering opportunities. Children can then attend Kellogg Middle School, which is not currently rated by Niche. The school offers a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program focusing on Spanish. To finish up their schooling, children can attend B-plus-rated Franklin High School, which is ranked as the No. 5 best public school in Multnomah County. Students have the option to take specialized classes, including culinary arts and robotics. They can also take advantage of the school's Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. For further educational opportunities, Mount Scott-Arleta is near higher learning institutions, including Portland Community College’s southeast campus and Warner Pacific University, both of which are less than 3 miles away.
Important to Know: Commutes, major employers and more
While many people drive to get around, the neighborhood boasts bike lanes on some streets, and locals can also take advantage of TriMet’s public bus system. Some residents may work in downtown Portland, which is around 6 miles west via U.S. Route 26 or around a 50-minute bus ride. Different bus lines serve the neighborhood, including Line 14. Other residents may work at one of the Portland area's largest employers, like Nike, whose headquarters are around a 14.5-mile drive away via U.S. Route 26. Another nearby employer is Providence Milwaukie Hospital, which is around 4 miles away. “Lots of my buyers here work on the east side in various capacities. I see lots of artists buy homes here. I had a client that was a body piercer. Many people have more artistic jobs,” Noble-Ashford says. As for the weather, it’s no secret that Portland gets quite a bit of rain. Those wanting to escape the rainy winter months for a little bit can head on Interstate 205 to the Portland International Airport, which is about 9 miles north of the community.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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Parks in this Area
Mount Scott City Park
Brentwood City Park
Soccer
Tennis
Trails
Lents Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Glenwood Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Woodstock Park Playground
Baseball/Softball
Tennis
Trails
Kern Park
Baseball/Softball
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Portland International
19 min drive
Bus
SE 82nd & Woodstock
Bus
SE Harold & 67th
Bus
SE Duke & 78th
Bus
SE 79th & Harold
Bus
SE Harold & 72nd
Bus
SE Duke & 72nd
Bus
SE Foster & 63rd
Reviews
Niche Reviews
4.02 Reviews
4.0Current Resident
4/19/2017Niche Review
We have lived here for more than 10 years and have seen the neighborhood change a lot. More and more young families have moved in and it feels like a safe, welcoming place to raise our children. We have connected with many lovely neighbors, love the sense of community, and love how easy it is to get around the neighborhood and connect with people.
OPEN Sunday 7/27 1-3! The Little House and Its Art Studio. Don't miss it! Near Woodstock and Foster cafes and shops! Artsy one-of-a-kind vintage one-level garden cottage AND detached art studio or 2nd bedroom or office, with skylights and garden views. Got a doggy? Spacious fenced yard with trees & sun. All electric home. Potential mixed use. All this and no HOA! Beautiful wood floors, original
Beautifully Remodeled & Move-In Ready – Better Than New! Welcome to this extensively renovated 1,402 sq ft home featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 stylishly updated bathrooms. Thoughtfully redesigned from top to bottom, this major remodel includes a new roof, custom kitchen (granite counters, glass cabinet doors), modern baths, updated electrical panel, energy-efficient mini-split HVAC system, new
Very convenient quiet location. Few blocks to the famous Woodstock business area. The property was just remodeled. New roof, gutters, paint inside and out, new LVP floors throughout, new Quartz counter tops & cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms. New tile bathtub in hall and shower in the primary bathrooms. New vinyl frame windows throughout. This property is perfect for someone looking for a one
Live the good life at The Arleta, featuring attractive one and two-bedroom apartment homes designed with comfort, style, and convenience in mind nestled in the charming Mt. Scott-Arleta neighborhood of southeast Portland; the perfect suburban refuge in the heart of urban Portland! Just minutes from your front door, you can enjoy everything that makes this city great from unique eateries, bars,
Well maintained modern duplex with units separated front-to-back on a full sized lot. Updated features throughout; lighting, bathrooms, hardware, windows, flooring, mini/split installed on main floor for heating & cooling. Unit has decks & garden areas. Two-level unit hosts all 3 bedrooms upstairs. Attached garage for shared storage. Great street, blocks from Mt Scott Community Center, Portland
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nick Shivers,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
7,374
Median Age
41
Population Density
14 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.9%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$84,201
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,492
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.6%
College Graduates
48.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18%
% Population in Labor Force
76.8%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
97/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
87/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
47/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
