Is the Saint Jhons part of Portland considered a bad neighborhood? (Phoenix: apartment complex, renting)

[yournamehere]

I have been living in Portland for about 6 months, originally from Phoenix, AZ. At first i was living in north Portland and as of the beginning of this month i moved into Saint Jhons. At first i didn't seem to bad but the other day i was walking down the street minding my own business when a gang of about 15 thug guys hanging outside an apartment complex started harassing me calling me "white boy" and how i got out of it without being mugged is beyond me. Even in Phoenix which has a lot of crime i never saw that much stuff like that. I guess it's just very strange because at first this area did not strike me as really all that bad. Thoughts?

[Nell Plotts]

Were I you I would visit the Portland Police neighborhood office and relate your experience. They usually know the naughty guys and may be able to yank their chains.

When I listen to the police scanner I don't hear dispatches to the St. John's neighborhood.

[Moparjer]

The following link gives a detailed look into crime in St. Johns. PortlandMaps Detail Report I lived there 30 years ago, so my experiences are sadly outdated, but at that time crime was dictated by which neighborhood you were in. Good luck.

[callmemaybe]

The North 'quadrant' (Oddly, Portland has five 'quadrants') is generally considered bad news, however I'm not sure if it's justified or not for St. John's in particular.

[Minervah]

Crime, muggings, whateve can happen anywhere. I have known and do know people who live in St John's over the years. Honestly, this is the first I have ever heard of this kind of crime ever happening there. But I think I would pay more attention to the actual statistics given here more than opinion.

[amwxx]

Some people consider St. Johns to be kind of a sketchy area. Nothing you wont find in Phoenix though.

[UrbanAdventurer]

Closer towards the University it's fine. Farther north and northwest you go it gets a little seedier. It runs the gamut really...from yuppies to ghetto punks depending on what area you're in. That sort of behavior sounds typical of immature high school or late teenage year kids who still think it's hilarious to pick on people different from them. Nuff said.

[Minervah]

I know someone who lives in St Johns. Her room overlooks another house where some hippies are allowed to camp in the back yard. It's pretty stinky and dirty and sometimes noisy. She doesn't feel particularly unsafe but definitely unsanitary. I asked her why her landlady doesn't call the cops because this is supposed to be illegal in Portland but for whatever reason she just doesn't. I guess she feels sorry for them.

[AndyAMG]

St. Johns is extremely hit or miss on a daily basis, and good weather makes it worse. I'm near Smith and Oswego and it's a good area, although we have some issues from time to time. "Thugs" like good weather and stay inside when it's crappy, when it's nice they all congregate outside, and do whatever they do. St. Johns central is pretty safe, but Fesenden and Portland or anywhere in that area is bad. I saw a big fight on a MAX at Lloyd Center last weekend, it's summer. 45 and rainy no issues at all. That said I will be moving to good ole' republican Clark County and renting my house in St. Johns. North Portland Schools are terrible.

[Squidlo]

Doesn't sound like my old neighborhood at all. Again I didn't walk around much or ride the bus. Never ever had issues in "downtown" St Johns. I don't think the thug game would fly too well, any further than they could scatter when the police arrive. As for being called "whiteboy", thats new. I have gotten that in Texas a few times. I know where I stand in that situation and should probably finish my business and leave the area. Im thinking the apartment complex you live in or near is the problem. Moderator cut: crude