Jefferson Westside - Eugene, OR

Eugene was formally incorporated as a city in 1882, and grew rapidly throughout the 20th century. Today, due to its county museum and popular events center, the cheerful neighborhood of Jefferson Westside serves as a hub of historical preservation and cultural engagement for the entire community.

The Lane County Historical Museum near the center of the neighborhood encourages the preservation of local history by collecting and preserving significant artifacts and library materials. The city's historical society also makes their home here. Stop by for a tour, or arrange a road show to have the museum come to your personal event.

Nearby, the Lane Events Center attracts visitors from all over Eugene and the surrounding areas with a premiere ice skating rink, an acoustically fine performance hall and annual events held at the fairgrounds, including the county fair, the Heritage Fair and the Asian Celebration.

Varied dining options and restaurants feed the residents of Jefferson Westside each according to their need. Start by making your way through the concentration of restaurants located near the north border of the neighborhood on West 7th Avenue.

The Cornbread Cafe, a vegan restaurant that serves a variety of flavorful, tasty dishes, remains a local favorite. Try the Eugenewich, or their signature cornbread and Mac -unCheese, which comes smothered in the restaurant's award-winning cashew-based cheese sauce. The southern-fried tofu also keeps customers coming back. Savor authentic artisan food and wine at Noli Italian Cafe, and don't forget to try the gnocci with your meal. Prepare yourself for a busy, intimate environment and a slightly pricey menu, but don't skip this area favorite.

At night, peruse the plentiful draft beers at The Bier Stein, and keep updated on their various brewery events like the Sour Beer Festival in autumn. Shoot some pool at Luckey's, and dance to live music from local and national artists.

As the third most walkable neighborhood in Eugene and a "biker's paradise," Jefferson Westside is the perfect place to explore without your car. Major roads with biking lanes include 18th Avenue, Chambers Street and East 11th Avenue, while many roads such as Broadway and 12th Avenue are also considered biker-friendly.

Selected by the American Transportation System Association as an Outstanding Public Transportation System, the Lane Transit District serves the city of Eugene with a network of regular, reliable bus routes. Buy a ticket for $1.75, a day pass for $3.50, or a monthly bus pass for just $50.

When you want a more private ride, register with the rideshare company Uber, and easily hail a cab anytime and anywhere from your smartphone.

For those keeping their cars, the city of Eugene also operates an extensive parking system. Metered spaces cost $1.00 per hour, or 25 cents for 15 minutes. All of the city's parking garages are free on the weekends and after 6 p.m., while the Overpark and Parcade garages are always free for the first hour. Adding even further convenience to your driving experience, Highway 99, Highway 126 and Interstate 105 all run through the northern border of the neighborhood, and connect Jefferson Westside to the rest of Eugene.

Fun and pretty green spaces constitute another defining attraction of Jefferson Westside. Enjoy the undeveloped Jefferson Park next to the county fairgrounds, with four acres of open space, groves of Oregon white oak trees and a significant portion of the Fern Ridge Trail. The Amazon Creek runs alongside the park as well.

Bike the trails, swing a bat on the baseball field and play a round of disc golf at Westmoreland City Park. Bring your picnic and your kids to Monroe Park, and check out the local outdoor art exhibits while they explore the playground. Monroe Park also hosts outdoor concerts in the summertime.

Eugene also enjoys four free off-leash dog parks. Nearest to Jefferson Westside, the Alton Baker Park lies just five minutes away. As Eugene's largest developed park, the space also includes a lake, boat launch, performance space, shelter, picnic area, sports fields and trails.

The price of living near Jefferson Westside's varied dining options, beautiful parks and fun community events comes as a pleasant surprise. Cost of living sits approximately 23 percent lower than Eugene's average, and you can expect to rent a one-bedroom apartment in this neighborhood for around of $640.

Expect to pay $1.75 to get to city center via city bus, and about $3 for a beer at a local pub. Neighborhood gas prices hover around 2 percent higher than the national average.

Independent stores and boutiques sell unique wares throughout the neighborhood. Check every corner, but start in the north.

Stop by Sweet Skins for eco-friendly clothing that flatters the figure and last for years. In the winter, hit up Berg's Ski Shop to prepare yourself for all cold-weather fun. The knowledgeable, friendly staff are happy to answer all your questions regardless of whether you choose to rent or buy gear.

A Safeway grocery store services the neighborhood from the southeast corner, and an Albertson's sits in the southwest portion of the neighborhood. About a mile away, in downtown Eugene, the Lane County Farmers Markets regularly take place between February and September.