Portland, OR
St. Johns
Cathedral Park, N Lombard, and a neighborhood that doesn't care if you've heard of it
Overview
Stand under the Cathedral Park arches at dusk when the Gothic towers of the St. Johns Bridge are lit and the water is calm. You'll understand why people who move to St. Johns tend to stay. The park sits directly under one of the most dramatic bridge structures in the Pacific Northwest — the kind of place that feels like it belongs somewhere more famous than North Portland.
N Lombard Street is the main drag: coffee shops, a hardware store, barbershops, restaurants, and McMenamins St. Johns Pub and Movie Theater in a restored 1913 building. Smith BBQ on N Lombard is the answer when someone asks where to get brisket in Portland. The neighborhood has a strong community identity — the St. Johns neighborhood association is active and pays attention to what happens here.
Prices are lower than inner NE and SE Portland, which is why first-time buyers and investors both pay attention. That also means the neighborhood is in active transition — longtime residents and newcomers still figuring out the balance. The commute to the west side is the main friction: the St. Johns Bridge puts you in NW Portland quickly, but going to Beaverton or the Sunset corridor takes real time.
Getting Around
25 min by car, 40 min by bus (Line 75), 35 min by bike
Local Life
Restaurants
Coffee
Bars & Nightlife
Schools
Portland Public Schools
Parks & Green Space
Cathedral Park
Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
The Market
Prices shown are estimates based on recent sales. Contact David & Bri for current market data.
Relevant Loans
Your team
We actually know St. Johns — and we’ll tell you the truth about buying here.
David & Bri, Movement Mortgage. Portland born, Portland based — the local read no rate sheet gives you.
Buying in St. Johns?
Get expert guidance from a Portland team that knows this market — David & Bri, Movement Mortgage. NMLS #1367416 / #265974.
What Clients Say
“Everyone told us to look in SE Portland first. We looked at St. Johns on Bri's recommendation and bought a 1925 Craftsman on N Central for $379k. I dare you to find that price in Sellwood.”
“Cathedral Park sealed the deal. I run there three times a week. Bri knew the neighborhood well enough to tell me which blocks to focus on.”
FAQ
4 questions
Is St. Johns a good neighborhood for first-time buyers?
+
Yes, and it's been one of the better entry points into Portland for several years. Prices are meaningfully below inner NE and SE Portland. The neighborhood has real character, walkable amenities on N Lombard, and Cathedral Park is a legitimate asset. The schools are below average for PPS, which affects some buyers' decisions.
Is St. Johns safe?
+
By Portland standards, St. Johns is a normal neighborhood. Like most of Portland, some blocks are better than others. N Lombard and the streets closest to Cathedral Park are active and well-maintained. The neighborhood association is engaged and crime is lower than many inner Portland neighborhoods that cost significantly more.
What's the commute from St. Johns to downtown?
+
About 25 minutes by car to downtown Portland — the St. Johns Bridge takes you to NW Portland, then it's a straight shot on Burnside or Broadway. Bus service (Line 75) takes about 40 minutes. Biking is 35 minutes. Getting to the west side suburbs (Beaverton, Hillsboro) adds real time — that's the main friction for tech workers.
What types of homes are in St. Johns?
+
Smaller Craftsman bungalows from the 1910s–1940s, ranches from the 1950s, and some more recent infill. Lots are typically 4,500–6,000 sq ft. Houses are smaller than comparable prices in SE Portland — you get less square footage but more neighborhood per dollar. Basements are common and often unfinished, which is either a project or a feature depending on your plans.