Eugene info? (Portland: renters, hotel, home builders)

[Deserter]

I'm considering moving to Eugene, and plan to buy a home. What neighborhoods should be avoided? I wouldn't want to be right downtown, but it would be nice to be near one of those lovely parks. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[EricRoyer1980]

Depends on your politics. South Eugene is beautiful area as long as you don't mind your kids being ultra-liberal democrats when they grow up. West Eugene is a good neighborhood as well as northeast Eugene. Avoid the Whittaker, Bethel, and river road neighborhoods, unless you want your kids to be druggies when they grow up.

[Deserter]

I don't have any kids, but I've already grown up to be an ultra-liberal Democrat myself, so that's okay. What about the Danebo neighborhood, is that the same as Bethel?

Thanks,
Sally

[claire_voyant]

Danebo is kind of a mixed bag in terms of neighborhoods. There are a lot of new housing developments going up in the area, and due to this, some of the older areas are starting to clean up their act a bit.

[Deserter]

Thanks for the info. Is the Santa Clara neighborhood the same as River Rd? I keep looking at these different new home builders and trying to figure out using their maps and then Eugene city's park maps which neighborhood they are in. I think one I liked was in the Bethel area and another appears to be in this River Rd area.

Is there anywhere I can look to see these neighborhoods labeled?

Thank you,
Sally

[EricRoyer1980]

Well, traditionally, the "River Road," "Bethel," and "Whitaker" neighborhoods have been more run down areas of town. But, they are building new houses in those neighborhoods and they renamed some areas so they're not associated with those. Santa Clara is the better part of the River Road area, which is north of the freeway. Danebo or Barger area are the better parts of bethel area. I personally wouldn't mind living in any area in Eugene, but often times the older homes are occupied by renters and the newer homes are occupied by homeowners.

[Deserter]

Thank you, Eric and Claire for your helpful advice. I'm coming up there next week to have a look for myself. You've given me some good starting points.

[Eugguy]

Originally Posted by EricRoyer1980

Depends on your politics. South Eugene is beautiful area as long as you don't mind your kids being ultra-liberal democrats when they grow up. West Eugene is a good neighborhood as well as northeast Eugene. Avoid the Whittaker, Bethel, and river road neighborhoods, unless you want your kids to be druggies when they grow up.

Whoa...that's ridiculous.

[Eugguy]

Why don't you want to live downtown? I think downtown has a lot of great places. I personally live in the West University neighborhood because it's the most livley neighborhood in Eugene...and I'm from from L.A. so I like that. Sounds like South Eugene would be the best for you though. It's very nice.

[Deserter]

Thanks for your input, Eugguy. The main reason I wouldn't choose downtown is just that I've always lived in suburbs. I'm used to having my neighborhood be fairly quiet, but close to conveniences. I realize that Eugene is by no means as busy as LA or San Francisco (or even Portland), but still. I'll be staying in a hotel downtown next week, so I'll be able to see just how busy it is.