Local Resources, Tools and Links for Portland

This directory of local Portland resources will assist you in gathering valuable information about the area. Also listed are some popular Portland attractions that shouldn't be missed!

Portland Schools

Also visit each of our individual neighborhood guides for links to schools in each particular area.

Mortgage

  • ABC's of Real Estate - Lots of answers to commonly asked questions about mortgage and real estate finance.
  • Acorn Housing Program - This is a great alternative program for those that qualify. Low closing costs, flexibility on sources of income and proof of credit. This program has helped many of our clients who could not get a loan qualify for one, AND with great interest rates and terms.
  • Free annual credit report from all 3 bureaus - Even if you're not buying a house, it's important to know what your credit is like. Now, once a year you can get a completely free report from all three credit bureaus. Check your score, make sure there's no mistakes...
  • House and Home - and everything in between. Finance, advice, etc. is all here somewhere.
  • Get some answers from a local professional - We work with several mortgage brokers who our clients have found great to deal with.  

David Bunker at Directors Mortgage - c: 971.563.3239, o: 503.636.6000 dbunker@directorsmortgage.net

Steph Noble at NW Mortgage Group - o: 503.222.5059 steph@stephnoble.com

Julee Felsman at Equity Home Mortgage - o: 503.288.9284 juleef@equityhome.com

 

Tax Information

Portland Area Information

Home Improvement

  • Do it Yourself - Lots of different ways to make it happen
  • Portland Nursery - Portland's locally owned destination for all things green.
  • Ryerson Hardwood Floors - We love this store. They have a gorgeous selection of hardwoods, and they also offer classes on refinishing floors yourself, as well as renting equipment. The people who work there are so nice and incredibly helpful. We highly recommend this place if you're even thinking about doing it yourself.
  • The Rebuilding Center - Everything you could possibly need in reusable materials, plus beautiful examples of cob, alternative building materials and inspiration galore!
  • Lumber Liquidators- really inexpensive, nice flooring, like prefinished hardwoods and cork.
  • Bamboo Revolution- Kira got her chocolate brown bamboo floors from Mike. He has great deals on beautiful, sustainable flooring. His customer service is great too!
  • North Portland Tool Library- if you live in North Portland, you can rent lots of great tools for free. They're super nice and play old time music while you line up with your neighbors.

Maps

  • Portland Maps- Everything you ever wanted to know about a property. No, really.

Uniquely Portland

  • Stay Pet Hotel - The ultimate place for your best canine friend.  Done in a cool 50s Miami Beach motif, Stay offers dogs a chance for overnights in individual suites, personal trainers for exercise programs, dietary advice and customized diet plans (available by special request), participation in doggie play groups all equal the ultimate hipster dog vacation while you are away from home.  
  • Eat Shop Portland - One of our favorite ways to decide what to do in the city. Kaie has her finger on the best stuff here, from high end to low key.
  • Forest Park - Maps of the largest park in the city limits of the U.S.
  • Japanese Gardens - The beautiful, classic Japanese Gardens
  • Oregon Zoo - Lions and tigers and bears....
  • Portland Chinese Gardens - So zen.
  • Portland Food and Drink - A cool site of restaurant reviews and lots of yummy food and drink
  • Rose Gardens - Roses, roses everywhere.
  • Saturday Market - What better place to take visiting family to stroll, grab a bite to eat and see local crafts?
  • Portland City Search - Find any restaurant, Shop or Service-and what local people think of it.
  • Portland Farmer's Market - Calendars, locations and everything market-like.
  • Portland Visitors Association - All the kind of touristy stuff that really is fun...discounts too.
  • Willamette Week site - Listings of shows, movies, art and the like all over town.
  • PICA- Portland Institute of Contemporary Art and the famous TBA festival.

Beyond City Limits...

  • Gorge Website - Lots of great information about activities and areas up and down the gorge.
  • Oregon Coast Information - Maps, information, arts, events and more.
  • Oregon Trails - Hiking the Pacific Northwest.
  • Oregon Wine Country - Oh my do we love vino! One of our favorite things about living in Oregon is being close to some of the world's best wine. We take it for granted, but we don't have to! Lists of wineries, with information about calendars, events and more.
  • Portland Parks Website - List of parks, gardens, events,etc.

Museums, Galleries and the Arts

Snow and Mountains

Local Weather

Neighborhood Information

  • Nob Hill   - Useful information about Nob Hill.
  • Old Town- Old Town's site on where to eat, live and more.