Funky neighborhoods for renters (Portland: apartments, condos, safe neighborhood)

[MargaretBridget]

My husband and I are contemplating a move to Portland. We are interested in a funky but safe neighborhood favorable to renters. Maybe near the art district or Back Cove? We live in a small, college town in mountains of Virginia. We have only visited Portland once or twice but loved it.

[K-Luv]

The Back Cove itself is pretty funky, but in the sense that the city dumps it's run off into it and sewage near it and the neighborhoods surrounding it are more straight-laced then anything.

You might want to check out the Bayside neighborhood. Definitely funky, but it can be sketchy as well as it is the epicenter for the homeless and the charities that service them. You will also find luxury apartments and condos in the neighborhood as well.

There is also Munjoy Hill, which is where most of the funky people live.

[genmomto5]

We, as a family, are not very funky, unless you go by the original meaning of the word and count the teenage boys living here. Phew. But Munjoy Hill (where we live) appears to have the density of funky people in the city.

[elston]

From what I have seen, Monjoy Hill would be a great place for a young urban couple, singles or retired. It reminds me of other funky neighborhoods in other cities where a mix of artists, characters and cummudgeons, immigrants, students and merchants create an ambiance that is exciting and invigorating. The views are beautiful, and a sense of history, community and place prevails.

My selection was for more suburban/rural so I didnt really consider Portland....but if my circumstances were different....Monjoy Hill would have been very attractive to me.