Why Portland Homes Don’t Always Make Sense—Until They Do

If you’ve ever walked into a Portland home and said, “Wait, why is the kitchen upstairs?”—you’re not alone.

We recently toured a home with out-of-town buyers relocating from the Midwest. The house was in Montavilla, charming from the curb. But inside? Split-level entry, sunken living room, kitchen at the back of the house, and a detached studio in the backyard. They were baffled.

“This would never fly where we’re from,” one of them said.

And they were right—kind of.

Portland homes have character. That’s not code for “old” (although sometimes it is). It’s just the reality of a city that values individuality, adapts creatively to zoning, and has been shaped by decades of ADU incentives, DIY culture, and neighborhoods evolving at their own pace.

That detached studio? It used to be a workshop. Now it’s a permitted guest house with Airbnb income potential. The quirky kitchen placement? The home was expanded in the '70s, and rather than rip everything out, the owners leaned into what worked. And that split-level layout? It’s a common Pacific Northwest solution for homes built on sloped lots.

What might feel odd at first glance often has a practical, even poetic, reason behind it. That’s part of what we love about Portland real estate: every home tells a story—and we’re here to help clients translate it.

When you understand the “why” behind a home’s design, it stops feeling weird and starts feeling intentional. And in Portland? Intention matters more than perfection.

Every home has a story. We’re here to help you write the next chapter.