Gladstone, Oregon is the location of the Pow-Wow Maple Tree, a gorgeous, twisted tree that is believed to have been the meeting site of several regional Indian tribes, including the Multnomahs and Clackamas, where they would make trade bargains, settle community disputes, and even hold weddings. It was also the site of the first Oregon State Fair in 1861. Today, except for a small plaque at its base, the Pow-Wow Maple Tree unceremoniously sits at the edge of someone's front yard on Clackamas Blvd.
What's there to be so glad about anyway? Well, Gladstone is a small town located just south of Portland, one of the quirkier cities in the U
Gladstone, Oregon is the location of the Pow-Wow Maple Tree, a gorgeous, twisted tree that is believed to have been the meeting site of several regional Indian tribes, including the Multnomahs and Clackamas, where they would make trade bargains, settle community disputes, and even hold weddings. It was also the site of the first Oregon State Fair in 1861. Today, except for a small plaque at its base, the Pow-Wow Maple Tree unceremoniously sits at the edge of someone's front yard on Clackamas Blvd.
What's there to be so glad about anyway? Well, Gladstone is a small town located just south of Portland, one of the quirkier cities in the U.S. It's basically a Portland suburb, but don't try to tell that to locals. Many take pride in Gladstone's history, and for good reason--Gladstone's roots grow back to the mid 1800's, with the earliest land grants handed out by President Lincoln himself. The City of Gladstone, which grew up right about where the Clackamas River joins the Willamette River (pronounced Will-AM-it), has a population of about 11,500 people, but it's surrounded by the 2.2 million people who live in the Portland Metro area, of which it is a part (get over it, Gladstone).
Moving to Portland, er, Gladstone
Packing up all of your stuff and relocating to Gladstone is a lot like doing it anywhere else. You need to search for a new apartment to rent (new to you, at least), or a studio apartment for rent, or a house for rent, or condo rentals ... you get the point. Here's an idea that's sort of a Portland, er, Gladstone (need to stop doing that) tradition, especially for those who are still younger and don't yet have a family, or a moving truck full of your house, in tow. But it works well for anyone. For the time being, find a room to rent by the month in a larger house, if you don't mind the idea of strangers for roommates while you search for a permanent home. It's a good way to get to know the area so you can choose a neighborhood location that really suits your needs, and a great way to meet new people while getting your feet wet (better get used to that quickly in Oregon) in your new home town.
In and Around Gladstone's Neighborhoods
There's a lot to get to know here, so listen up! From downtown Gladstone to the Glen Echo Wetlands and Rivergate City Park, the rental market here offers a lot of options. Two areas you'll probably consider right off the bat are mainly due to, what is it they say? Location! Location! Location!
Clackamas: This is the next town over in the Portland Metro area, and the site of Clackamas Town Center, a massive indoor shopping mall. There's everything here from 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apts for rent, to single-family homes, town houses, and just about every other rental situation you can dream up. The cool part about living in Clackamas is that the MAX, Portland's light-rail service, runs here and will take you just about anywhere in the Metro area for the cost of a $5 day pass. The tracks don't extend to Gladstone.
Gladstone: Downtown is a cool little area full of night spots, small businesses and cool shopping boutiques. It all center's around, you guessed it, Portland Ave. (see? C'mon, Gladstone. Admit it!) The 11x11 block, or so, downtown area is a neighborhood where everyone walks, or bikes pretty much everywhere. Some of the coolest apartments for rent are found on the second floor of old buildings above an existing business. So, keep your eyes peeled for those rental units. Some of them are huge with hardwood floors to boot.
What Shall I Do?
There are a ton of ways to have fun in and around Gladstone. For one, you're about an hour's drive from the mountains and two hours from the Oregon coast, and yes, there are people who go for it by skiing and surfing on the same day. Gladstone itself is only about a 2.5-square-mile area, but the Portland Tri-Met bus lines will take you just about anywhere you want in the Metro area for a $5 round trip. City life will surely call you outside of Gladstone, but when you're home make sure to check out a few mainstays, like Crossroads Coffee Cafe, Gaffer's Pub (fish and chips anyone?), Stanley's Corner--you must go here, even if you're not a drinker--and when you have to have pizza, you're in luck, because Gladstone Street Pizza is some of the best in the Metro area.
So, welcome to Gladstone. You're going to love living in Portland.
