7.8 out of 10

Lents

Ranked 12th best neighborhood in Portland
45.4803442759686 -122.564209749998
Great for
  • Public Transport
  • Cost of Living
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Parking
Not great for
  • Nightlife
  • Safe & Sound
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Medical Facilities
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+

Reviews

5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Lents is a thriving community"

Lents has become more and more community focused, positive, thriving, and safe. I feel lucky to have found an affordable home in a thriving community where I actually know my neighbors. Neighborhood chili cook-offs to support local schools and foodbanks, street intersection art projects, community gardening groups, community tool library, little free libraries, and the list goes on. I experienced more crime when I lived in other Portland neighborhoods that are considered "more desirable"
Pros
  • Affordable Housing
  • Lents Park
  • Lots of major streets for commuting
  • Great for Bicyclists
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Schools 2/5
2yrs+

"Large, Diverse Community"

One of the older areas of Portland, Lents is located in East Portland and divided by the I-205 Freeway. For the past several decades, Lents has often been described as a neighborhood in decline. The schools are not highly rated and there is little business that would drive anyone to Leeds. However, the City of Portland has recognized the potential of this area and has pumped money to the Lents Town Center Urban Renewal Area. The goal is continue to build more homes and businesses. Housing is affordable and there are some nicer neighborhoods, though many appear run down and unkempt. Public transportation is good as the Green line goes through the town and the Springwater Corridor makes bike riding and walking easy. There are several nice parks and Lents also has a nice community garden. All in all, it's a community that has a ways to go, however progress is being made.
Pros
  • Affordable Housing
  • Lents Park
  • Lots of major streets for commuting
Cons
  • Below average schools
2/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 2/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Large Low-Cost East Portland Neighborhood"

Lents is a fairly large East Portland area. It has over 20,000 residents! While it isn't too close to downtown, it is on a light rail. Apparently, it takes about 30-40 minutes to get downtown on the MAX. Happy Valley is fairly close by. Residents will likely find themselves shopping at the nearby Clackamas Town Center. Lents tends to feel a bit suburban and has some affordable housing options.

Lents has some nice things to offer in the way of nature. For example, bikers can ride along the Woody Guthrie Trail (less interestingly, this road is also known as I-205) There is also the Springwater Corridor, which is a 21 mile bikepath that connects Lents to other parts of the city. The region has some pretty natural settings including Lents Park and the Beggars Tick Wildlife Refuge.

Lents does have a strong sense of community and many residents are working to improve its reputation and make it a better place to live. During the Summer there are movies in the Park. Lents also hosts the Ramona Street Fair, which has music, food and crafts.
Pros
  • Great for Bicyclists
  • Affordable Housing
  • Lents Park
  • Lots of major streets for commuting
Cons
  • Bad reputation
  • Lack of commercial areas
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 3/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Residential Neighborhood, A Bit Rough Around The Edges"

Lents in SE Portland is known as an old and diverse neighborhood. Home to immigrants from many countries, the community has long had a reputation as being a bit lower class.

When the I-205 freeway was built, it split this already established neighborhood in half. Powell Blvd, Foster road, and 82nd Avenue all pass through here, along with the MAX train. While this means easy commutes to elsewhere in the city, it also adds noise and plenty of people commuting through Lents without stopping.

Lents Park is a popular spot in this neighborhood. This large, older park offers plenty of amenities, including fields, baseball stadium, trails, picnic areas, and a playground.

If you're looking to live in Lents, expect a mix of suburban and urban spaces, from modest homes to tall apartment buildings. It's popular among young couples and others looking to buy their first house, since many houses sell for under $200,000, almost unheard of in most other Portland neighborhoods.

Although this neighborhood has historically been a bit ignored by the rest of the city, it has been the focus of recent attention by the city of Portland. It has been deemed an Urban Renewal Area, which has brought new homes and businesses to the area. Though it still has a reputation of being a bit rough around the edges, is it really a diamond in the rough? Only time will tell!
Pros
  • Lents Park
  • Affordable Housing
  • Lots of major streets for commuting
Cons
  • Bad reputation
  • Lack of commercial areas
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Students

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