Published February 20, 2025

Featured City | Eugene, Oregon

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Written by Amanda Switzer

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Eugene, Oregon | Homes Community & History

Including zip codes 97401, 97402, 97403, 97404, 97405, 97408

 

Overview:

The city of Eugene is the largest city in Lane County and the third largest city in Oregon. Located on the Willamette River & McKenzie River, it lies on the south end of the Willamette Valley. Eugene's official slogan is "A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors" and is known as the "Emerald City" and as "Track Town, USA". The Nike corporation had its beginnings in Eugene during one of the area's largest housing construction booms in the 1960’s. 

 

It’s no surprise that Eugene has become home to many individuals that are passionate about nature, running, hiking, kayaking, the arts and enjoying our rich Pacific Northwest Culture. Bike paths, running and river trails span across most neighborhoods and it’s rare to find a home that’s more than just 5-10 minutes from a trailhead or park. The area’s Ridgeline trail system rings the southern edge of the city with a series of large, semi-connected parklands. Deeply valued by the community for recreation, open space, and native plant habitat it offers, the Ridgeline system spans 12 miles of trail starting at seven main trailheads. Eugene has found place on the map as home to the U of O Ducks Big 10 football program at Autzen Stadium and is a regular host to the Olympic Track and Field trials at the historic Hayward Field.

 

The Interstate 5 corridor runs through Eugene creating easy access to commuters and through travelers headed north or south through the state. Main roads through downtown are Willamette Road that runs North and South dividing the East and West Sides and connects the South Side area  to downtown. Main roads running East and West through downtown are Hwy 126, West 11th & Franklin Boulevard. The Beltline Hwy/ Oregon Route 569 is an Oregon state highway serving the outer quarter-loop in Eugene and Springfield to give easy access to our suburban areas along the outer edges & northern sides. 

 

History of the Area:

Eugene was incorporated as a city in 1862 and named after Eugene Franklin Skinner, who  arrived in the Willamette Valley in 1846 with 1,200 other settlers in that year. He erected the first cabin on what the Kalapuyans called Ya-po-ah, which is now known as Skinner's Butte and is a popular place to hike, climb and view the city skyline with it’s easy access from Downtown & the 5th Street Market area.  

 

The University of Oregon came together in 1872, driven by the community, with the hope of turning the small town into a center of learning. In 1873, J.H.D. Henderson donated the hilltop land for the U of O campus that overlooked the city. 

 

Beginning in the 1960’s the countercultural ideas of area local & author Ken Kesey became entwined with the area's vibrant culture and continue to leave it’s trace on Eugene Culture. The “Saturday Market'' was the first in the US, founded in 1970. Now partnered with the Farmers Market, it's still a popular destination in Downtown Eugene on Saturdays & Tuesdays for music, food & local artisan shopping for locals and tourists in the area through the Spring and Summer months. In the Holiday month it moves indoors to the Lane County Fairgrounds as the ”Holiday Market.”

 

Primary performing arts venues include the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, The Cuthbert Amphitheater, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts  known as the "The Shedd", Matthew Knight Arena, Beall Concert Hall and the Erb Memorial Union ballroom on the University of Oregon campus, the McDonald Theatre, and W.O.W. Hall. 

 

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Parks in Eugene:

Eugene offers an extensive Park & Trail system. The top rated parks in the area are Hendricks Park, Skinner Butte Park, Amazon park, Alton Baker Park, Owen Rose Garden, Emerald Park & Bethel community Park. 

 

For a full list of the area parks and natural areas visit: https://www.eugene-or.gov/327/Parks-and-Natural-Areas

 

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Walkability Scores:

Eugene as a whole is considered a car dependent city. It has some public transportation and is very bikeable with neighborhoods that have higher walkability scores for no drivers. For more details on the current walkability scores check here. 

Eugene’s 23 Neighborhood Associations

  • Amazon

  • Bethel

  • Cal Young

  • Churchill

  • Crest Drive

  • Downtown

  • Fairmount

  • Far West

  • Friendly

  • Goodpasture Island

  • Harlow

  • Industrial Corridor

  • Jefferson Westside

  • Laurel Hill Valley

  • Northeast

  • River Road

  • Santa Clara (including Irving)

  • South University

  • Southeast

  • Spencer Butte

  • TrainSong

  • West Eugene

  • West University

  • Whiteaker

 

Schools:

 

The Eugene 4J School District includes four full-service high schools: Churchill, North Eugene, Sheldon, and South Eugene and many alternative education programs, such as international schools and charter schools. Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese foreign language immersion programs in the district are also available. 

 

The Bethel School District serves children in the Bethel neighborhood on the northwest side of Eugene. The district is home to the traditional Willamette High School and the alternative Kalapuya High School. There are 11 schools in this district.

 

Eugene also has several private schools, including the Eugene Waldorf School, the Outdoor High School, Eugene Montessori, Far Horizon Montessori, Eugene Sudbury School, Wellsprings Friends School Oak Hill School, and The Little French School. 

 

Christian schools in Eugene include Marist Catholic High School, O'Hara Catholic Elementary School, Eugene Christian School, and St. Paul Parish School.

 

Client Reviews from the Area:

 

Amanda was absolutely wonderful to work with. Very professional. Great communications and details all along the way. She clearly invests herself in her clients, pouring her heart and soul into bringing dreams to life. This was our fourth home and by far the best experience. She listened to our needs and provided terrific insight into finding our perfect home and she went to bat for us helping to take care of the details. Amanda has also been a great resource through her recommendations for our mortgage broker and other needs. Would definitely recommend Amanda and while we hope to not be moving again soon we’d call her first if we do. Call her, you’ll be glad you did.” 

 

Dewey Weddington, Eugene Oregon, Google 5 Star Review 

 

We sold our old house and bought my new one through Amanda. She was very easy to work with and attentive throughout the whole process. She hosted several open houses, helped with the staging for the professional pictures, and listened to my needs in order to find my next house. Thank you Amanda!!

 

Dexter & Melissa, Eugene Oregon, Google 5 Star Review

 

Amanda helped us purchase our first condo and it was the most positive experience we could have imagined! She was attentive, positive, and professional. We had lots of questions and she was quick to respond and put us at ease. She thoroughly explained the process each step of the way which made us feel included and educated. Amanda has a kind and thoughtful demeanor and we truly appreciated that.  We genuinely felt that she enjoyed working with us.It’s been almost 4 years since our purchase and she continues to check in and be of service to us! I highly recommend working with Amanda!”

 

  Jacki Jamison, Eugene Oregon, Google 5 Star Review

 

“Amanda was always available to help guide through the selling process, and made sure we received competitive offers along with helping us find contractors to wrap up a few last minute repairs.  Her knowledge of the market helped with selling the house during a traditionally slow time of year.  Would definitely recommend.”

 

Douglas Switzer, Eugene Oregon, Google 5  Star Review

 

 

Click here to see the newest listings in Eugene, Oregon 



Is there someplace or something you love about Eugene that you would like to see included here? or do you have questions you'd like to see featured in our Switzer Real Estate blog? Please let us know in the comments below! We love to hear from our readers. 

 

 








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