South Gateway - Salem, OR

Salem has been the capital of Oregon since 1857; since then, it has transformed from an agricultural economy into a technology center, all the while maintaining its government base. South Gateway has grown over the years along Commercial Street, the main thoroughfare connecting Salem to Interstate 5. Behind the commercial face, emerged this quaint community of winding suburban streets and tree-lined sidewalks.

Museums abound in this historic town. The Hallie Ford Museum of Art on State Street has contemporary and classic displays along with traveling exhibitions for the art lover. Gilbert House Children's Museum is a hit with kids, who enjoy a fun, hands-on learning experience. The Marion County Fair, held each year in July, does not disappoint with its classic rides, games and entertainment.

Most towns along the Interstate 5 corridor have the same chain restaurant and box store vibe, but Salem's more specialized scene provides an unexpected array of choices for such a small town. In South Gateway alone, you can find several excellent pizza parlors, cafes, delis and brewpubs.

A local favorite, Gilgamesh Brewing serves fresh beer and exciting food in an intriguing setting. The outdoor fireplace lets patrons dine on the patio year-round while enjoying the Inferno Mac-n-Cheese or the Gilgaburger, a house-made vegan black bean burger.

Lovers of Mexican food enjoy La Hacienda Real. This festive restaurant serves authentic homemade dishes such as enchiladas and the cabbage salad. If you don't like your salsa hot, ask for the mild version.

When in the mood for a dining experience without any hipster pretense, Cozzie's NY Deli fits the bill. Not dolled up or trying to be anything other than a classic New York Style Deli, Cozzie's serves you a classic Reuben in traditional fashion.

South Gateway features a mixed bag of nightlife options, with taverns, sports bars and brewpubs all competing for your entertainment dollar. Bars such as Sammies on Commercial Street remain popular with locals and students. Here, you can try your luck playing video lottery machines or just throw back a few microbrews and watch the game.

McMenamins restaurants and bars scatter all over Oregon, and the brother team known for restoring historical buildings and re-purposing them into hotel, bar, restaurant and cinema properties runs the McMenamins Thompson Brewery and Public House. House-made spirits, beer and wine plus a great menu and live music events make this a classic Salem watering hole.

While the downtown core and the university area of Salem are walkable, a car is required for most travel from South Gateway. Parking is easy and plentiful in most places, and the easy access to the freeway ensures a constant flow of traffic in and out of the neighborhood. With Portland just 45 miles north, Salem is a popular last stop before the city for rest, fuel and food.

Salem-Keizer Transit operates the local bus system, and it is remarkably effective, connecting all corners of the city to the downtown core. It would be easy to get by in Salem without a car if you never had to leave.

The city owns and maintains a robust bike trail system and actively encourages you to ride when you can. The flat landscape and protective riding lanes make for enjoyable and safe pedaling.

If you need a cab, you can call one; several services exist, and the rates are reasonable. Uber and other ride-share services are slowly developing in Salem itself, and you can expect this to increase.

The South Gateway neighborhood doesn't have many parks, and the ones that are here are small pockets of green space with few pieces of play equipment. This is one of the main complaints about the outlying parts of Salem, but given South Gateway's proximity to the downtown core and the massive riverside Minto-Brown Island Park, it is easy to get your fill of outdoor recreation. The parks nearer to the city center provide trails, fishing, swimming and sports facilities to keep you happy and active.

South Gateway is one of the least-expensive parts of Salem in terms of housing costs, but the overall cost of living is on par with the city's average. When compared to the national average, Salem's cost of living is slightly higher, but with expensive Portland so nearby, it seems cheap by comparison. Rentals in Portland average almost twice that of Salem.

A one-bedroom rental in South Gateway averages around $680, which is about the same as the rest of the state. Transportation costs are low, and commute times are far less than the national average. Gas prices are slightly below the national average, though the closer you get to the freeway ramps, the more expensive fuel tends to be. A bus fare to the downtown core is less than $3, and you can get a nice beer for around $5.

Commercial Street is replete with shops of all kinds, most of them locally owned specialty shops. That most of Salem tends to resist the massive chain stores and giant malls is part of what makes it such a desirable place to live. While there are strip malls and box stores to be found elsewhere in town, South Gateway is the place to go for that specialty item and unique experience.

Guentner's Gardens is a quirky garden store with statuary and native plants. The selection is huge, and the service is very personal. Visit again in December for a flocked Christmas tree.

Of course, chains and standards do exist. Walgreens, WalMart and the like are easily found, and grocery chains, including Safeway, serve the neighborhood. Salem hosts several farmers markets around town beginning in May of each year and running through the summer months.