Blog Buyer Mock Crest - The Real Deal in NoPo

Mock Crest – The Real Deal in NoPo

By Gabrielle Enfield, October 15, 2019

Hi readers! In today’s installment in my #realestatelife I get to tell you about my personal neighborhood: Mock Crest. It’s nestled between Kenton and St. Johns (NoPo Pro Tip note: it’s St. Johns not St. John’s), between Lombard and the curves of Willamette, down from the University of Portland. It’s a great place to bike/walk/run/wander. It’s also home to the giant blue Victorian that’s currently a U of P rental on Willamette, built by the neighborhood’s namesake, John Mock.

Aside from the Mock House, homes here are mostly traditional, Cape Cod or Bungalows, with the occasional ranch (my jam) peppered in. The streets are lined with Lindens, which are beautiful in fall but kind of pains in the A the rest of the year — they’re year-round producers of pollen, seeds and need TLC. But, they’re great for swings and sure do create a picturesque backdrop. If you’re looking for an awesome place to Trick-or-Treat with the kiddos this year, this neighborhood is a great option. Our neighbor Jeanne at the end of the block gives out full size Snickers bars, which pretty ruined it for the rest of us. 🙂

If you’re a burger fan like me, let me tell you – THE BEST ONES IN PORTLAND can be found at the Mock Crest Tavern. If Linda is on the grill, you’re especially lucky, she’s a burger artist. The tots are perfectly crispy, and there’s great live music/open mic nights.

O.P.I. Nails on Lombard is the place for some pamperin’ if you’re in the area. Tu, the owner, remembers everyone’s name. It’s kind of weird and definitely awesome. Their spa pedicures are legit and they do a great stone massage on your legs. Ahhhhhh.

Columbia Pool, which is run by PP&R, is a great neighborhood indoor pool. They have terrific instructors and public swim times / lanes. The pool itself can get a little muggy and stuffy since it’s indoor, so be sure to layer if you are going to be a spectator. Be sure to walk around Columbia Park – it’s real pretty and was designed by the same architect as Central Park in NYC.

Every Thursday night on the way home from Parkour at The Playground Gym, we swing by Bong Teriyaki – which is in the Mock Crest Grocery building. Their spicy chicken combo is so good, and the family-run business provides consistently friendly and fast customer service. The servings are ginormous and my boys always eat all their dinners, veggies included. #Winning!

While not technically part of Mock Crest, Harper’s Playground is our family’s weekend stop. We even get to let Roz (our Boston Terrier/Boxer/Pit Bull) run free at the off-leash dog park. The playground was designed with mobility in mind, and features wheelchair- and walker-accessible play areas. There’s a huge baseball and soccer field, tennis courts and restrooms. Basically, a terrific place to picnic and while away a Sunday morning after soccer. We have our son Boone in Soccer Shots, which has regular practices there.

What’s also great, is there are some wonderful homes in the area available now! Take a look HERE and if you see anything that catches your eye, please reach out. It would be my pleasure to welcome you to the neighborhood.

Till then, high fives,

Gabrielle Enfield

Broker | OR

She/Her

Real estate can be a wild ride. It's important you find your wingperson.

At Working Magic Group, we understand the important decision of choosing an agent partner for buying or selling in Portland. It's a relationship for the long haul. The team's goal is to apply myriad experiences, both personally and professionally, to help guide client partners through a thoughtful, strategic, seamless and fun journey. Founded by top broker Gabrielle Enfield, Working Magic's goal is to bust down the stereotypes of who Realtors are and how they serve. We are full service brokers, in it for the long haul, and believe in the relationship imperative. We operate from a place of trust with people at the center. Without that, we can’t do our work. Need an understanding of where to start, when it comes to getting ready to sell? We'll put backgrounds in project management to work and let you know what needs to happen, complete with spreadsheets, if you're into it. We've got the magicians on speed dial to show up and get it done so you can hit the easy button. We treat each listing as a brand we're launching and create emotional and sensory experiences that stand out. Custom playlists, anyone? We've been told our open houses are the best in town. Looking to purchase a vacation property and need it to generate rental income? Expect sharp pencils to make sure the numbers make sense. We can even help with the interior design and advise how to set it up to make top dollar. Ready to downsize? We'll be with you on this important chapter and gently guide you to what stays and what goes. First-timer who needs a steady hand to help guide you through the real estate process? Mama Bear's got you covered, and we'll be sure to point out what you need to look for or stay away from. Moving to PDX and need a proxy to get to know Rose City? Gab's a Pac NW native, and even with all its growth and change, this place still gives her butterflies. Plus, her background in video production makes those remote FaceTime home tours a breeze. About Gabrielle Enfield, Founder, Working Magic at Living Room Realty: I grew up in Woodland, Washington, and live in the wooded hills of Bridlemile, where I'm raising my family. #boymom. Today I am the #1 agent at my brokerage - which is Portland's #1 real estate office - and consistently rank in the top 1% of more than 8,400 brokers in the Portland metro. I love what I do and it shows. Before real estate, my career spans two decades of expertise I'm fortunate enough to apply every day. These experiences range from being a TV news anchor (visual storyteller) to helping develop some of the world's beloved brands like Xbox and Dave's Killer Bread (strategy and engagement). I also helped launch Paul Allen's MoPop to a global stage; it combined two of my life loves: music + architecture. I was on the forefront of integrated media, crisis communications, digital productions and managed events and massive teams that delivered headline-making news. I was practically born to sell Real Estate: my Dad is a retired custom home designer and builder, my Uncle is an architect and my Grandpa was a Realtor and developer. I am an active listener, have a keen eye for "good bones", and solving my clients' real estate needs in a creative and often unexpected way brings me joy. In my spare time, I am raising my kiddos to be confident weirdos, championing my spouse Per who is an IP attorney at Nike, hitting the thrift store circuit as often as I can, and volunteering my time as a Broker Advisor at Living Room. In 2023 I launched Hi Buddy Hospitality Group, a burgeoning hostel and restaurant in NE Portland. I also am a member of Project Color Corps Portland Chapter, a national non-profit that collaborates with people to add color to their essential community spaces, creating beauty, belonging, and joy. Please give a call – I'd love to see what it would be like to partner with you. For a look inside my everyday life, be sure to follow along on Instagram. Let's Work Magic together. High fives!