A Guide to Eugene Hoods

Get the fuck off campus.

art ALLISON FONDER

1. CAMPUS AREA

words NOAH PORTER

A radioactive nucleus for student living, the generally accepted boundaries for “campus area” stretch from Kincaid to Pearl Street, between 13th and 18th Avenue. An emerald city of factory-issue condominiums intermittently sprinkled with abandoned high-heels, the dream of Seth from Superbad is alive and well in this five-block radius. For those who wish to become better acquainted with their fellow students, an over-crowded apartment party can be a great place to rub shoulders, chests and buttocks with the best and the brightest that the Sociology department has to offer. Most recently, the “campus area” has become something of a cultural hub for Eugene’s up-and-coming frozen yogurt scene.

2. FRIENDLY

words SAMUEL TEPE

To answer your question, yes, the Friendly neighborhood is a friendly neighborhood indeed. Quaint and cute are qualities of this neck of the woods. Home to many happy students and families, the Friendly embraces many positive qualities of Eugene. The intersection of 24th Avenue and Friendly Street is the community’s core. On the north side of this crossroads you will find a handful of local businesses including a gourmet teahouse, a park, a potter, two different acupuncturists, a natural grocer, and a new organic food stand named “Party Cart.” Cruise on over for an exploration of sorts, and you will be happy with what you see.

3. SOUTHTOWNE

words MARGARET APPEL

Three words: Long’s. Meat. Market. The Southtowne hood doesn’t really need anything else to qualify it as the fillet of Eugene, and yet still it gives you so much more. Take the Amazon bike path out to these parts and enjoy a peaceful stroll through the likes of southern High, Mill, and Ferry Streets, while the hustle and bustle of Willamette remains just inches away. Our nearest laundromat comes equipped with pool table and attractive hipsters, and you can always end your night at the seedy dive that never disappoints — Mulligan’s pub. Barry’s Espresso can be enjoyed without the long line, and if the nearby 7-11 Redbox doesn’t have that romantic comedy you’re looking for, the neighboring McDonald’s Redbox probably does. Southtowne? Swagtowne.

4. JEFFERSON WESTSIDE

words BEN FICKLIN

The trees are the most remarkable feature of Jefferson Westside. They loom over the neighborhood, hiding it in a shadow from the rest of the city. These elderly trees make the blocks from 7th Avenue South to 18th Avenue seem older than the rest of Eugene. For those who live here, the neighborhood is a treasure. Largely residential, the few businesses that operate in Jeff West are charming. Sweet Life Bakery makes all sorts of confections that taste like love, New Frontier Market is open until midnight, and the hole-in-the-wall Mi Tierra makes one of the better burritos in town. But like I said, the lawn-grown fruit trees and towering oaks are where Jeff West exudes its magic. Stroll through  the tumbling leaves of Monroe Park on a misty night and check out the enchanted trees yourself.

5. THE WHITEAKER

words EDDIE BOND

The Whiteaker is among the most vibrant and interesting neighborhoods in Eugene. The Whiteaker is the parents who walk down the street while their children run ahead barefoot. The Whiteaker is the man on the street corner selling newspapers to buy his bread. The Whiteaker is music and the venues like Sam Bond’s Garage that support the local acts. The Whiteaker is wild graffiti and colorful murals and the artists who create all night and day. The Whiteaker is a stray cat wandering down an alleyway, a conversation on the street corner with a stranger, and the smell of fresh hops from the Ninkasi Brewery floating through the air. The Whiteaker is 6th Street north to the river and east from Skinner’s Butte to Chambers Street. The Whiteaker is a breath of fresh air; an energetic, creative neighborhood with a strong sense of community.

 

 

 

For more information on exploring Eugene, check out these groovy bicycle adventures.

 

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 20th, 2011 at 6:54 pm. It is filed under Uncategorized and tagged with Allison Fonder, Ben Ficklin, campus, Eddie Bond, Eugene, FALL2011, friendly, jeff west, jefferson westside, neighborhoods, Noah Porter, Samuel Tepe, southtowne, the whiteaker. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.