Third-biggest city in Oregon, Eugene, situated at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, is also one of the Beaver State’s most livable. Whether you’re moving here as a University of Oregon student, for a job in healthcare or some other leading industry, or simply to find a kid-friendly neighborhood for raising a family, it’s worth considering which corners of this fair, hill-tucked city are the most walkable. With its long countercultural spirit, Eugene prides itself on bike-and pedestrian-friendly communities, as well as a strong arts scene and healthy local businesses—all ingredients conducive to high quality-of-life sans automobile.
The following roundup presents some of the most appealing neighborhoods in Eugene for anyone living a car-free lifestyle (by choice or not). It’s primarily based on the City of Eugene’s “20-Minute Neighborhood” analysis, which mapped Track Town, USA’s most walkable districts by considering factors such as population density (both residents and workers); the presence of destinations such as grocery stores, elementary schools, parks, and bus stops; and available travel modes, such as bike lanes and sidewalks. Defining a 20-Minute Neighborhood as one “where residents have easy, convenient access to many of the places and services they use daily including grocery stores, restaurants, schools and parks, without relying heavily on a car,” the city promotes them for their health, economic, environmental, and community benefits.
That 20-Minute Neighborhood map prepared by the city clearly shows the greatest concentration of walkable neighborhoods clustered around downtown and University of Oregon campus. When you're mulling where to live in Eugene, Oregon without a car, it makes sense to start your search in that zone of walkability.
Downtown Eugene stands out as perhaps the all-around best place to settle down without a car. The central neighborhood, situated to the west of the U of O campus, has a plethora of services, dining, and entertainment options easily accessed by foot, bicycle, or public transit. The Park Blocks exemplify the appeal: This thrumming plaza includes the famed Saturday Market plus daily food carts and plenty of nooks for picnics. Besides the farmers market, Downtown supports numerous grocery stores, including the long-running Kiva Grocery.
The neighborhood’s laced with designated bike lanes and bike parking spots (plus bicycle stores and rental outlets); includes the Lane Transit District Downtown Transfer Station for easy public-transportation around the metro area via both regular bus routes and the Emerald Express bus rapid transit network; and is heavily serviced by taxis. According to the City of Eugene’s 2011 Neighborhood Analysis, more than half of Downtown residents rely on a personal vehicle for commuting to work—but 17 percent bicycle, 14 percent walk, and 13 percent hop the bus.
In the mood for some live theater? Downtown includes the Oregon Contemporary Theatre Co., the Actors Cabaret of Eugene, and several other prime venues. It’s not hard to sniff out great musicians, either, given performance spaces such as the McDonald Theatre (one of Downtown’s great historical landmarks), the Hi-Fi Music Hall, and the Jazz Station—not to mention a plethora of cafes, pubs, and nightclubs commonly featuring live tunes. And speaking of food establishments, you’ve certainly got no shortage of options, from fast-food joints to upscale restaurants. The Eugene Public Library has its main branch Downtown, while Lane County Public Health and other healthcare providers maintain clinics here.
Bordering downtown to the west and (as the name suggests) the campus of the University of Oregon to the east, the West University neighborhood also gets high marks for walkability and general pedestrian- and bike-friendliness. By far the majority of West University residents are renters—not a surprise, given the proximity to campus.
Both standard LTD buses and the Emerald Express line service the neighborhood, also a joy to pedal given both on- and off-street bike lanes. An impressive proportion of West University’s residents eschew vehicle-based commuting: The City of Eugene’s 2011 Neighborhood Analysis reported that some 35 percent walk and 22 percent bike to work.
If you’re living in the West University neighborhood, you’re well poised in terms of cultural offerings, given the easy access to the U of O’s museums, galleries, and regular events and Downtown’s array of theaters and music venues; right in your backyard, meanwhile, you have the highly regarded Bijou Art Cinemas. Several local markets offer groceries, while loads of additional options await within a few blocks of the neighborhood borders. The same goes for restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops (well represented around here, given all those college students). Healthcare facilities include the Sacred Heart Hospital University District and the White Bird Medical Clinic.
West University in and of itself isn’t a hotspot for greenspace, but West University Park provides a compact and cherished one beside the U of O campus.
Due west of Downtown, Jefferson Westside serves as another excellent neighborhood for car-free living. A bit farther from the U of O campus, this area has significantly more owner-occupied housing than downtown or West University, and it’s more affluent overall.
Bicyclists have wonderful options for both commuting and recreational rides here: For one thing, Jefferson Westide harbors the eastern trailhead for the 7.2-mile Fern Ridge Path, which shadows Amazon Creek westward to beautiful grassland, marsh, and farmland landscapes beyond the city—perfect for a straight-shot rural getaway from Eugene’s urban core. Leafy havens in the neighborhood proper are easy to come by, not least sprawling Jefferson City Park (through which the Fern Ridge Path passes) and ever-popular Monroe Park. And with frequent bus stops servicing the street grid, it’s a breeze to foray out to other corners of the Eugene-Springfield metro area from a comfortable Jefferson Westside home base. (The 2011 Neighborhood Analysis suggested 20 percent of Jefferson Westside residents bicycle to work, 10 percent walk, and 11 percent ride the bus)
Downtown’s dining and entertainment drags are a stone’s throw away, which only ramps up Jefferson Westside’s appeal. And the neighborhood itself has some great and highly walkable destinations, including the Eugene Concert Choir, the Lane County Historical Museum, and the Lane Events Center.
