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We moved into the South Waterfront right at the start, when they passed out "Urban Pioneer" buttons, they advertized the neighborhood on the radio and we all thought the place would be humming with retail and new buildings in three years.  Fast forward to today and maybe we were a bit optomistic.  That said, it is a great place to live.  There is amazing transportation access (streetcar, Tram, bike paths, busses, freeways).  We have a community garden, rotating art installations, spirited small businesses, a fun public park, the river is right there for kayaking and wildlife watching. We have heavy industry, construction jobs (buildings, roads, bridges), a Montessori school and even a farmer growing dahlias to buy on a late summer evening. The people who gravitate here span a broad range of socio-economic, cultural, educational, occupational, age, family size and other parameters.  We've seen a few foreclosures, a lot of short sales, and a lot of residents are trying to make it work, just like the rest of Portland, or maybe America.  In short, there is a community here; it has some growing and maturing to do, we're still waiting on the river bank to be improved, a good kayak launch to be built, and much more retail to come in and thrive.  The buildings are highly energy efficient, well insulated, warm in winter and cool in summer, and we can be social or not depending on the mood.  It may take a few years for the South Waterfront to reach its potential, but it is pretty darn good right now, and will only get better.

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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