East Lancaster - Salem, OR Area Guide

East Lancaster emerged as a bedroom community after Methodist missionaries founded the Oregon Institute, the precursor to Willamette University and the first university in the western United States. Salem’s strategic location along the Willamette River was ideal for milling, and the rapid economic growth created a demand for government institutions, transportation, and public schools.

East Lancaster is within a 15-minute drive of some of the city’s most anticipated cultural events, which the area’s artistic, indie, and agricultural roots influence heavily. Locals celebrate global performing arts groups at World Beat Festival in midsummer and gather at the Oregon State Fair in late summer. Visit the Salem Art Fair & Festival in the spring for craft beer while browsing for blown glasswork and handmade jewelry.

Dinner outings inevitably take you to Lancaster Drive and the surrounding area, where Mexican, Asian and fast food restaurants command the food scene. Don’t overlook Love Love Teriyaki because of its strip mall location. Locals applaud the friendly service as much as the low prices and savory dishes. Order a huge gyoza plate of spicy chicken, rice and freshly fried pot-stickers for under $7, or try the popular yakisoba noodles with meat and vegetables.

For a low-cost, casual meal, head to Aibertos Taco Shop for a messy plate of rice, refried beans and chile rellenos smothered with lettuce and cheese. Locals, too busy chowing down on loaded bacon and potato breakfast burritos, don't care about the no-frills paper plates and plastic ware. Salsa connoisseurs love to choose from mild, spicy, red and green varieties, especially for dunking mini chicken or seafood tacos.

Spare an hour for breakfast or lunch at Rolling Bagels, an inviting bakery and deli that whips up homemade bagels every day. Have your chicken salad on a tomato basil bagel or freshly sliced ham on a Swiss cheese bagel. Locals find it hard to narrow down their soup selection since you can choose from hearty specials, such as chicken dumpling and Portuguese bean and sausage.

In general, Salem has little in the way of club-style nightlife, but some low-key pubs, Tex-Mex bars and chain sports bars are available on the west side of East Lancaster and beyond. Stop by MidNite Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesdays for 50-cent tacos and $3 margaritas.

East Lancaster’s scenic roadways provide a breathtaking backdrop for local walking and bicycling, but residents often prefer driving for faster travel between largely residential areas and commercial streets. Since the city overflows with government employees, the Downtown Parking District provides as much free parking as possible for visitors, while workers and students must purchase permits.

As Oregon’s capital, Salem offers easy travel via the Cherriots Salem-Keizer Transit system, which operates several routes in the Lancaster Drive area. A downtown trip takes about 25 minutes, and Routes 2, 5, 11 and 13 should cover most of your inner-city destinations. While taxis are widely available, you may need to arrange your ride in advance, and many locals prefer the convenience of Uber.

If you happen to work outside of Salem, use Route 22 for east-west travel. Interstate 5 and Route 99 lie a few minutes west of East Lancaster, providing an easy north-south route to Portland or Eugene. When you need a change of scenery, catch a flight out of McNary Field, the municipal airport, located downtown.

Among the most attractive qualities of Salem, the picturesque greenery and riverfront terrain provide the perfect landscape for fans of hiking, biking and fishing. Small neighborhood parks, such as Englewood Park and Weathers Park, dot the East Lancaster landscape, giving locals a free spot for outdoor sports and playground fun with the kids.

Bring a lunch basket to Royal Oaks Park on Carriage Court for some refreshments after a round on the tennis or horseshoe courts. Jog the trails of McKay School Park, located just north of the neighborhood, and meet up with friends for a quick stretch session at the exercise stations.

All parks remain smoke-free and allow dogs on leashes, so you can enjoy the fresh air with your pet at your side. Sporting events take place at the ball fields at many local parks, but the most popular public tournaments typically happen at larger facilities, such as Wallace Marine Park Softball Complex.

Depending on the type of residence you need, settling in East Lancaster typically leads to an average cost of living. Single-family homes dominate the area, and you pay less for real estate than most areas of Salem. However, East Lancaster rentals cost more, carrying an average cost of $1,100 but are usually larger than one bedroom.

Gas prices sit about 8 percent higher than the national average, while a bus ride to downtown Salem only costs about $3.25. If you enjoy the bar scene, you could spend $6 to $9 for a pint at most bars, but you can find a few pubs that offer beer under $4.

Drive along Lancaster Drive for your pick of strip malls, or stop by the Lancaster Mall for all-in-one shopping at stores such as Burlington Coat Factory, Best Buy, and Sears. Stop by Wheeler Dealer, a convenient spot to load up on everything from groceries to lawn chairs at overstock and liquidation prices.

Roth’s Fresh Markets, Fred Meyer, and Grocery Outlet satisfy everyday grocery needs for East Lancaster residents, and the area has several Mexican markets for locals who like to make their own tostadas or tamales. Salem’s agricultural community makes an impressive showing at Salem Saturday Market, a farmers market held three times a week at different locations. Visit the Salem Public Market on Rural Avenue to pick up succulent fruit for your shortcake recipe.