Powellhurst-Gilbert - Portland, OR

As early settlers arrived to the Portland area on the Oregon Trail in the 1800s, many of them took advantage of the Donation Land Claim Act, which allowed them parcels of land. Farmers claimed land in present-day Powellhurst-Gilbert. Residential housing began to pop up along the streetcar line serving Powell Boulevard and the farm-to-market Foster Road in the early 20th century. The population escalated quickly in the 1940s, as soldiers returned from World War II, and continued to grow into the '60s and '70s.

Powellhurst-Gilbert hosts the annual Midway Harvest Festival, a street fair featuring games and local foods.

Many of the restaurants in Powellhurst-Gilbert specialize in Asian cuisine. Look near Interstate 205 and Powell for Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese fare. You can find other foods, too, like American and Mexican, as well as a good pizza joint. Head to Division for the best nightlife options.

For authentic sushi by Japanese chefs, head to the locally owned Takahashi sushi bar on Holgate. Don't miss the dynamite roll, a local favorite, stuffed with shrimp tempura, unagi and chili sauce. Stop in on Wednesday, the discount night, for 35 percent off of most menu selections.

Try South of Holgate for cheap American staples like hot dogs and nachos. Nothing on the menu costs more than $4, so you can feed the whole family without breaking the bank. All food is made to order, so expect to wait a few minutes. Locals rave about the fries, so don't forget to add some to your order.

Powellhurst-Gilbert offers little in the way of nightlife, so most people head a few blocks over to the Foster-Powell neighborhood. Bars sit in clusters on Foster. Head over to N.W.I.P.A. for a flight of local microbrews. N.W.I.P.A. also serves locally famous Salt & Straw ice cream. Get a scoop of the sea salt and caramel before you down too many IPAs. For live music and karaoke, hit the Bravo Lounge on Division.

You can get to some places on foot, especially if you live near the main drags, Powell and Holgate. However, Powellhurst-Gilbert skews more residential than commercial, so many homes don't lie within comfortable walking distance of your typical dining and shopping destinations. If you own a bike, use the bike lanes or take a designated shared roadway, marked with lettering on the street and regular traffic bumps.

Residents prefer driving, especially since free street parking abounds. Most restaurants and shops this far from the city center provide private lots too. To leave the neighborhood, take Powell straight to Interstate 205, which runs through the neighborhood. Access downtown by taking Interstate 205 to Interstate 84 or by driving west all the way down Powell. Check the traffic report before you set out, though, because backups on I-84 and Powell can get brutal during rush hour.

Since rideshare options like Uber are not available yet in the area, taxis are your best bet if you need a ride. Call Radio Cab or Broadway Cab in advance since you won't be able to hail a taxi on the street. For a less expensive option, Tri-Met gives you access to five bus lines, including the 9 and 4 to downtown, from the neighborhood. The MAX light rail green and blue lines provide quick transit to various Portland destinations.

Portland hosts nearly 300 parks and natural areas. Locals love their parks, from the hiking trails of Forest Park to the smallest park in the world, Mill Ends. All Portland parks are free, and Powellhurst-Gilbert residents spend many a weekend afternoon taking in the sights and soaking up some nature at their local park.

Raymond City Park, at Raymond and 118th, offers 6 acres of amenities for the whole family. Younger kids enjoy the ADA-accessible playground, while the older ones love the basketball courts and horseshoe pit. Take the whole family for a Saturday barbecue in the picnic area -- the park provides the barbecue pits. Kids love the splash pad during the summer. If you want to burn a few calories, take a hike along the paved trails running around the park.

A few parks right outside the neighborhood, Lents Park and Cherry Park, have off-leash areas for your dog. But take your canine pal just a few more blocks to Mt. Tabor park, where you can enjoy the off-leash area, then climb the trail to the top of Mt. Tabor. Don't worry, it's a very small mountain; the top of Mt. Tabor provides a beautiful view of the snow-capped Mt. Hood, which lies about an hour east of the city.

The annual Slavic Festival and Street Fair takes place in July at Lents Park. Residents come together at the festival to celebrate Russian and Ukranian immigrant culture.

It costs less to live in Powellhurst-Gilbert than in the rest of Portland on average. Renters pay an average of $1,050 each month for a one-bedroom apartment. To get to the city center on public transit, buy a Tri-Met day pass, valid for the bus, MAX light rail and Portland streetcar, for $5. Expect to pay about $4 for a pint at the local pub. Drivers pay about 9 percent more per gallon of gas than the national average.

Shoppers in Powellhurst-Gilbert spend time at the local vintage shops and international markets. The neighborhood's diverse population operates shops geared toward organic eaters with varied tastes, with special attention to the area's Asian residents.

The Fubonn Shopping Center, the self-proclaimed largest Asian shopping center in Oregon, houses dozens of small shops and the Fubonn Supermarket and Deli. Go here for cheap pantry staples such as spices and sauces. Noodle lovers ready to move beyond cheap Top Ramen can dive into the excellent Fubonn ramen selection. After you pick up your groceries, swing by local boutique Pretty & Cute for cosmetics and skincare items.

For fresh produce, locals go to the Lents International Farmers Market at the corner of Foster and 92nd. Open every Sunday from June through October, this market serves as the place to find affordable yet unique produce you can't get it at other Portland markets. Home gardeners sell excess fruits and vegetables at the Community Table.

Lovers of all things avian enjoy the Bird Hut at the corner of 113th Avenue and Division Street because it carries everything needed to care for feathered friends. The shop sells exotic bird pets along with the toys, food and gear to keep them healthy and happy. The Bird Hut also provides grooming services for all types of birds.