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Whiteaker Neighborhood

“One of the weirdest neighborhoods in America” is a phrase national media use to describe the Whiteaker, or “Whit” as locals call it. Intrigued? Good, because there’s a whole lot here that you likely won’t find in a single place most anywhere else.

It’s definitely not for everyone. But if you’re relocating to Eugene for its unique culture, look no further.

Here, you’ll find inspiration and perhaps altered consciousness among some of the city’s most out-there artists, musicians, visionaries, and radical thinkers. With a colorful cast of characters walking these streets at all hours of the day and night,  you won’t have to go far to find stimulating conversation or inspired creative expression. After all, you are in the birthplace of Ken Kesey and his merry band of pranksters.

Take a walk around the block anywhere in the vicinity of 3rd of Blair, and you’ll see right away that you’re not in Kansas anymore. Community murals featuring shamanic and psychedelic-induced visions proliferate, and the telltale aroma of cannabis is never too far away.

There are plenty of dispensaries, obviously, but to overemphasize cannabis’ role here would be to sell the Whiteaker short. Some of Eugene’s best restaurants, cafes, breweries, and organic grocery stores are right here in the thick of things. Ninkasi Brewing is nationally renowned, and Hop Valley Brewing and Oakshire Brewing ain’t half-bad either. There’s even a cider brewery: check out Wildcraft Ciderworks. Then there’s local standby Sam Bond’s Garage, our absolute favorite Eugene watering hole and music venue.

Tacovore offers an amazing selection of, you guessed it, tacos, with all ingredients locally and sustainably-sourced. There are plenty of more traditional Mexican restaurants and food carts too, and even a large Mexican supermarket. Izakaya Meiji, where “East meets country and western,” may be the world’s only American-Western-themed Japanese whiskey bar and restaurant. Wandering Goat is Eugene’s premiere organic coffee roaster, and New Day Bakery offers excellent pastries, breakfast food, and a solid cup of joe.

Not surprisingly, real estate in the Whiteaker’s heart is becoming more expensive, but prices along the outskirts are quite reasonable. Just try to keep a bit of space between yourself and the very busy 6th Avenue, one of Eugene’s central thoroughfares. At the same time, this central thoroughfare features larger grocery stores, including a Mexican supermarket, and other shops and chain restaurants. The Willamette River, with its many riverfront parks is just north, and paved riverside bike and walking paths provide easy access to downtown to the east.

With its growing cultural cachet, property values for the neighborhood as a whole are on the rise, though inexpensive housing can still be found on the outskirts of all the action. If you want to be close to the action but not in the middle of it, with easy access to downtown, the Jefferson Westside neighborhood just south of here is your best bet.