I live about 10 minutes west of this district and my neighborhood is filled with kids. Here in Portland you can have a great neighborhood within a few minutes of downtown but at a way more affordable price. A minute from my front door we have a park, trails, our own boutique shopping center going in, a school up the road. Who needs expensive and cramped high rises, even if they're in a cool neighborhood?
Portland is a great city. A little lefty-lib, but still a great city. It feels like a small town in a way. I love that place. You're lucky.