North Portland? Need Some info! (Jefferson: to rent, house, neighborhoods)

[jgmedanth]

Hey there -
Moving back to Portland after being away for 5 years. I understand that N. and NE Portland has boomed since I've been away (Alberta was just getting built up a year before I left).
Looking at rents in SE.....I don't think we can afford to rent a house for the prices, unfortunately.
Can someone give me an idea of the good neighborhoods in N Portland?
Is there a central area where there is grocery, shops, coffee, etc, as in other neighborhoods in the city?
What are the bus lines like in North Portland? Easy to get downtown?
I lived over at Clinton/Hawthorne the whole time I was there, but things seem so expensive now. I'm hoping we can rent a house for cheaper in North Portland.
Thanks!

[EnricoV]

There's now a MAX line which runs up Interstate to the Expo Center. That makes getting into downtown a lot easier. And makes the whole area ripe for gentrification. My favorite areas of North Portland are Kenton and St. Johns. St. Johns, of course, is a lot further from the MAX line.

[willisdafool]

If I were you. Id go with Abor Lodge. Next to the max line and bus lines. Not as bad as neighborhoods like ones by Jefferson or end of St.Johns. University Park is pretty good also.