OR Portland
Creston-Kenilworth
Creston-Kenilworth is a Southeast Portland neighborhood wrapped around 36-acre Creston Park, with pre-1940 Craftsman bungalows and English cottages on tree-lined residential blocks. The SE Powell Boulevard corridor carries dining and the historic Aladdin Theater, while the interior is anchored by the Creston Pool outdoor swimming complex, tennis courts, and a community garden. A quieter residential alternative to the Division corridor, still in inner Southeast.
Living in Creston-Kenilworth
A Southeast Portland neighborhood wrapped around 36-acre Creston Park with pre-war bungalows, two outdoor pools, and an SE Powell corridor anchored by the historic Aladdin Theater.
Updated April 2026 by Joe SalingWhat Creston-Kenilworth Is Really Like
Creston-Kenilworth sits in Southeast Portland between SE Powell Boulevard on the north, SE Holgate Boulevard on the south, SE 26th Avenue on the west, and SE 52nd Avenue on the east. The defining geography is 36-acre Creston Park and the smaller Kenilworth Park, which anchor the interior of the neighborhood and give the district more green space per capita than most of inner Southeast. Powell Boulevard carries the commercial traffic, while the interior blocks stair-step up from SE 26th toward the higher ground east of SE 50th, where canopy tightens and views open.
A weekday morning here sounds like Powell Boulevard traffic at the edges, coffee service at Red Castle Games and Crema Coffee on the corridor, and walk-to-school foot traffic heading to Creston Elementary through the park. By midday the park path around Creston Pool fills up in summer and stays busy year-round with walkers and the community garden crew. Weekends shift toward the Creston Pool outdoor pool complex in summer, Sunday jazz brunch at the Aladdin Theater just west, and the Kenilworth Park playground and basketball courts on the south side.
On residential blocks you will see 1920s bungalows with porches overflowing with potted plants, detached garages converted into home offices or ADUs, and bike riders heading north on SE Rex neighborhood greenway toward the Clinton corridor. Longtime residents often mention the neighborhood's quieter pace compared to Division or Hawthorne, and the Creston-Kenilworth Neighborhood Association runs one of Southeast's more active volunteer park stewardship programs. Remote work has reshaped the midday rhythm, with more people out walking at 11am than a decade ago.
Looking for broader context on the area? Read my full Southeast Portland relocation guide for how Creston-Kenilworth fits into the wider district.
Homes and Architecture in Creston-Kenilworth
Creston-Kenilworth's housing stock is predominantly pre-1940, with Craftsman bungalows, English cottages, and Old Portland four-squares making up the core. Lot sizes generally run 4,000 to 5,500 square feet. A layer of 1940s and 1950s mid-century bungalows and minimal traditionals fills in blocks closer to SE Holgate, and the last 20 years have added scattered skinny homes and ADUs on larger parcels. Blocks west of SE 39th tend to be flatter and denser; blocks east of 39th climb slightly and feature taller trees and larger original lots.
When you shop here, expect the full spectrum of condition. Some bungalows have been meticulously restored with original fir floors, period kitchens, and finished basements; others still carry 1920s knob-and-tube, original single-pane windows, and foundations that have not been seismic-retrofitted. Competitive dynamics are typically a step cooler than Richmond and Hosford-Abernethy to the north but more active than outer Foster-Powell and Brentwood-Darlington. Two items to underwrite: cast-iron sewer laterals commonly show tree-root intrusion under the canopy, and older bungalow foundations often need reinforcement or partial rebuilding.
- Craftsman bungalows
- English cottages
- Old Portland four-squares
- 4,000 to 5,500 sq ft lots
- Mid-range for inner Southeast
Dining, Parks, and Daily Life
Aladdin Theater
One of Portland's most beloved live music venues sits on the neighborhood's northwest edge at SE Milwaukie and Powell. A restored 1926 theater turned all-ages concert hall with a strong touring roster. Not a restaurant per se, but a cultural anchor that shapes the Creston-Kenilworth corridor character.
Assembly Brewing
Just south of the Creston-Kenilworth boundary on SE Foster, Assembly Brewing draws regular foot traffic from the neighborhood for Detroit-style pizza and house-brewed beer. A neighborhood-first spot with a corner patio and a loyal regular crowd.
Crema Coffee + Bakery
Right at the western edge of the neighborhood, Crema Coffee and Bakery functions as the morning meetup spot for the Powell corridor. Strong espresso, house-made pastries, and a patio that catches morning sun. A reliable first stop for buyers reading the neighborhood.
Creston Park & Pool
Creston Park is the neighborhood's centerpiece. At 36 acres, it includes the Creston Pool outdoor summer swimming complex, tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, a community garden, and mature second-growth trees. One of the largest and most-used parks in Southeast Portland outside of Mt. Tabor.
Daily Errands
Fred Meyer Hawthorne sits about 5 minutes north by car, and Safeway on SE Powell is closer for basics. New Seasons Woodstock is about 7 minutes south. For hardware, Ace Hardware on SE 50th and the larger Home Depot on SE 82nd cover most needs within 10 minutes.
Getting Around
Downtown Portland is typically 12 to 18 minutes by car via the Ross Island Bridge off-peak. TriMet Line 9 runs along Powell with direct downtown service, and frequent service on SE Foster connects to the Hawthorne Bridge. Bike commuters use the SE Rex, SE Lincoln, and SE Clinton neighborhood greenways into the Central Eastside. MAX Orange Line is a short drive at SE Holgate or SE Bybee.
Joe's Take on Creston-Kenilworth
When buyers ask me where they can get a pre-1940 bungalow within walking distance of a real 36-acre park without paying Richmond or Hosford-Abernethy prices, Creston-Kenilworth is my standard answer. You get the same era of Craftsman architecture, a central park with an outdoor pool and tennis courts that is genuinely one of the best in the city, and a Powell Boulevard corridor that has been quietly building out its dining and coffee scene for the last decade. The honest trade-off is Powell itself. Powell Boulevard is a five-lane arterial with heavy traffic, and block-by-block proximity to it matters a lot for noise and resale.
The housing stock and location suit buyers who prioritize direct park access and pre-war architecture, who are comfortable with a 12 to 18 minute commute rather than the 8 to 10 minutes of Brooklyn or Buckman, and who want a quieter residential interior than the Hawthorne and Division corridor neighborhoods. It is less of a fit for buyers who need to walk to a dense commercial corridor every day; Powell and Foster are the main corridors here and both read more automotive than pedestrian.
Before you write an offer in Creston-Kenilworth, there are a few specifics worth checking. Pull the sewer scope on any pre-1940 home; the mature canopy produces consistent root intrusion issues in original cast-iron laterals. Check the foundation: many bungalows in this neighborhood still have original unreinforced concrete foundations and benefit from seismic retrofits, which is work worth budgeting. Drive the specific block at 4pm on a weekday to hear what Powell corridor traffic sounds like for your address, since blocks within two to three streets of Powell have noticeably different noise profiles. Verify the specific school boundary at pps.net, since both Creston and Kelly elementaries serve portions of the neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creston-Kenilworth
How do home prices in Creston-Kenilworth compare to the rest of Southeast Portland?
Creston-Kenilworth typically prices below Hosford-Abernethy, Sunnyside, and Richmond on a per-square-foot basis, roughly in line with Brooklyn and Foster-Powell, and above Brentwood-Darlington and Mt. Scott-Arleta at the outer edge. The combination of pre-war bungalows, direct access to 36-acre Creston Park, and an emerging Powell corridor keeps the neighborhood in the middle of the Southeast range. The current average sales price and active listing count are shown at the top of this page and update automatically with the market.
What are property taxes like in Creston-Kenilworth?
Multnomah County property taxes in Creston-Kenilworth run at an effective combined rate of approximately 1.3% to 2.1% of assessed value, in line with the rest of the county. Because Creston-Kenilworth home values sit in the middle of the Southeast range, typical annual property tax bills are also mid-range for Portland. Oregon Measure 50 caps assessed value growth at 3% per year, so long-held homes often pay less than their market value would suggest. Verify current rates and the specific assessment for any address you are considering at multco.us/assessment-taxation.
Which schools serve Creston-Kenilworth?
Creston-Kenilworth is served by Portland Public Schools. Depending on your specific address, the default elementary is either Creston K-8 (located in the neighborhood on SE 44th) or Kelly Elementary at the eastern edge, continuing to Hosford Middle School and Franklin High School. Portland Public Schools uses open enrollment, so residents can apply to any PPS school regardless of address, though acceptance at oversubscribed schools is not guaranteed. Verify the specific address assignment with the PPS boundary finder at pps.net, since boundaries can change.
What is the housing stock like in Creston-Kenilworth?
Housing stock is predominantly pre-1940 Craftsman bungalows, English cottages, and Old Portland four-squares on 4,000 to 5,500 square foot lots, mixed with 1940s and 1950s mid-century bungalows closer to SE Holgate and scattered 21st-century skinny home infill. Amenity access includes 36-acre Creston Park (with the Creston Pool outdoor swimming complex, tennis courts, and a community garden), Kenilworth Park to the south, and the Powell Boulevard corridor for dining and the Aladdin Theater.
How long is the commute from Creston-Kenilworth to downtown Portland?
Downtown Portland is typically 12 to 18 minutes by car via the Ross Island Bridge or SE Powell to the Hawthorne Bridge outside of peak hours. TriMet Line 9 runs down Powell with direct downtown service, and SE Foster buses connect via the Hawthorne Bridge. Bike commuters use the SE Rex, SE Lincoln, and SE Clinton neighborhood greenways into the Central Eastside. MAX Orange Line stations at SE Holgate or SE Bybee are a short drive away for direct downtown and South Waterfront connections.
Is Creston-Kenilworth walkable?
Walkability is moderate, with strong scores near SE Powell Boulevard and lighter scores on interior residential blocks. Homes within three to four blocks of Powell can walk to Crema Coffee, the Aladdin Theater, and corridor dining. Interior blocks focus more on walking to Creston Park, which most residents can reach within five to ten minutes. Walk Scores in the neighborhood generally range from the high 70s near Powell to the low 60s on the eastern and southern residential edges. Bike access is strong via SE Rex and SE Lincoln neighborhood greenways.
How does Creston-Kenilworth compare to nearby Southeast Portland neighborhoods?
Creston-Kenilworth typically prices below Richmond, Sunnyside, and Hosford-Abernethy, roughly in line with Brooklyn and Foster-Powell, and above Mt. Scott-Arleta and Brentwood-Darlington. Richmond has better Division corridor walkability and higher prices. Foster-Powell has similar pre-war stock and the Foster corridor rebuild; Creston-Kenilworth has the larger park advantage. Brooklyn has a shorter downtown commute but smaller parks and rail yard proximity. Creston-Kenilworth is the pick when direct access to a 36-acre park and an outdoor pool matters, alongside pre-war architecture at a mid-range inner Southeast price.
Can I add an ADU or short-term rental in Creston-Kenilworth?
Most Creston-Kenilworth lots are eligible for an accessory dwelling unit under Portland's Residential Infill Project rules, which allow up to one ADU on a single-family lot. The mid-size lots in this neighborhood generally provide enough yard space for detached ADUs. Short-term rentals require a City of Portland STR permit; Type A permits require owner-occupancy, and Type B permits (non-owner-occupied) have stricter limits and are harder to obtain. Verify both ADU eligibility and STR permit type for your specific address with Portland Bureau of Development Services (portland.gov/bds) before counting on rental income.
Thinking About Buying in Creston-Kenilworth?
I help buyers navigate Southeast Portland neighborhoods every week. Let's talk about what you need, what you can afford, and whether Creston-Kenilworth is the right fit.
Schedule a Free Consultation Or call Joe directly: (503) 910-7364Joe Saling · Saling Homes at eXp Realty · 10+ years serving Portland metro buyers and sellers
Saling Homes at eXp Realty is committed to the principles of the Fair Housing Act and Equal Housing Opportunity. Licensed in the State of Oregon. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Verify all data independently before making real estate decisions.
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Joe Saling
joe@sellingpdxhomes.com