South Eugene Neighborhoods Guide: Best Areas, Schools & Homes (2025)
Hey! Here’s an insider’s look at neighborhoods in South Eugene. I’ve been helping buyers find their perfect home in this area for over 20 years, and I can tell you that South Eugene is more than just a great place to live. It is a community that embodies what makes Eugene special. Noteworthy, most all commerce here is privately owned and operated! The stores, restaurants, and small businesses add tremendous charm and local flavor. This complete South Eugene neighborhoods guide will help you understand the area’s lifestyle, schools, parks, commute times, and housing options.
When people ask me about South Eugene, they’re usually talking about a few neighborhoods that share these things in common: great schools, tree-lined streets, and the perfect mix of city life and nature. The 97405 zip code covers most of the area, and the encompassed neighborhoods are briefly summarized below.
South Eugene Neighborhoods Guide: Lifestyle, Schools & Homes
Best South Eugene Neighborhoods: Overview
Fairmount: Where Old-Time Charm Meets Modern Living
Fairmount’s history goes back to the 19th century, when a neighborhood called Fairmount City was built. It became part of Eugene in 1902. Fairmount is one of the most established South Eugene real estate areas, known for tree-lined streets and upscale character homes. As you walk these streets, you’ll see that the lots are big and Fairmount Boulevard is wide with a nice curve. These aren’t accidents; they’re parts of history.
The architecture here tells a story: bungalows and homes, in South Eugene real estate, from the 20th Century Revival period, built mostly between 1900 and 1940, many of which have been well cared for or carefully updated. Home values and rents are usually higher here, demonstrating how desirable it is. Fairmount draws professors, working professionals, and families who value Eugene’s history. It borders the east side of the University of Oregon, so it’s great for people who work there. At the same time, it has a strong owner-occupied vibe that goes beyond campus life.
College Hill: Views and the Feel of a Village
College Hill is the area between Willamette Street and Friendly Street, which is about 18th to 29th avenues. Columbia College, which was in the area for a short time in the mid-1800s, gave the neighborhood its name. What makes College Hill special is that many of its homes are on hillsides with beautiful views of the valley. Its central South Eugene location is very desirable South Eugene real estate. The area feels like a quiet neighborhood, but you’re only a few minutes away from everything! making it one of the Best neighborhoods in Eugene OR, Market of Choice is an anchor grocery store, but many options for other privately-owned stores and cafes about.
Amazon Neighborhood: A Health-Focused Lifestyle
Amazon Park, a lively 100-acre park with two community centers, Eugene’s only outdoor pool, sports fields, tennis courts, a community garden, a 3-acre dog park, and Eugene’s first fully-inclusive playground, is the heart of the Amazon neighborhood. For families with young students living in South Eugene, the opportunities are over-the-top! For example, one can safely commute by bike via dedicated bike lanes, inter-park concrete paths and quiet streets to schools. The new, state-of-the-art YMCA and Kidsports offer health resources for all. When I think about this place, I can’t help but smile! Families living in South Eugene like that they can walk to the park to take swim lessons, play soccer, or just let their dogs run around. There are also natural features in the park, like Amazon Creek, ash woodlands, and wetland preserves. Ready for a hike? Ridgeline Trails can be accessed at the south end of the Amazon Parkway.
Friendly: A Colorful Mix
Its namesake Friendly Street has a quaint commercial area which is the epicenter of this very popular neighborhood. A natural grocer, a Taiwanese tea house, and a bevy of food carts with indoor seating are all part of the scene. The attitude here is unpretentious and community-minded. Being mostly on flat ground, many residents garden, and might even have eggs to share from their backyard hen house.
Laurel Hill Valley: A Quiet Satellite Hood
Just over the hill from Hendricks Park is the sleepy Laurel Hill area. This is a mix of older homes, which were likely built to accommodate UO goers, and also a new development on Moon Mountain. This neighborhood offers hard-to-find newer construction, quiet streets, and slightly more affordable South Eugene options. Its proximity to Interstate 5 is excellent for commuters to our two hospitals, Sacred Heart Riverbend and McKenzie-Willamette.
Southwest Eugene: Hilly and Scenic
Southwest is the area SW of Willamette St. generally south of 28th Ave. Much of this area is in the hills where Doug Firs thrive and lofty views abound! Residents also have easy access to commercial amenities on W. 11th Avenue, the airport, and more. 4J District schools feed to Churchill High.
Nature’s Treasures and Getting Outside
Getting Around
No matter how you want to get there, South Eugene has options! Public bus routes? Yep. Dedicated bike lanes and bike avenues? Bark mulch trails? Definitely. Easy-going driving with little-to-no traffic? Thank goodness!
Excellent Schools Add Value
Eugene School District 4J is a strong educational system serving all of Eugene proper. South Eugene High School is an outstanding school, ranked 16th in Oregon and 1,830th in the country. It offers both Advanced Placement courses and the International Baccalaureate program. I have seen a lot of families pick South Eugene just because of the schools. The neighborhood schools which feed South and Churchill Highs are all solid. I love seeing how active the community is. Parents volunteer, students join environmental clubs, and you can really feel the sense of academic excellence. Additionally, there are charter and private school options on this side of the river including O’Hara Elementary and Oak Hill! Want to learn more about how well schools are doing? Look at the in-depth profiles on SchoolDigger and US News Education.
Home Values in South Eugene
Greater Eugene has so many excellent living opportunities. Given that U of O is located on the south side of Eugene, this part of town will always maintain its value as well or better than some other areas. With its high quality of life, property values do tend to be a bit higher. There are other pricier parts of Eugene on the north side of the river so it would not be accurate to say South Eugene is “better” or even “the most expensive”. One will find however, that with strong buyer competition, prices here are a bit more.
In 2025 the median home price in South Eugene is mid-$500,000s. Reasonably-priced homes usually sell within a month or so. Demand for South Eugene remains consistent.
How to Be a Part of It!
Are you thinking about moving to South Eugene? I’d be happy to show you around these neighborhoods and help you figure out which one is best for you based on your needs and budget. Anytime you want to discuss your goals, get in touch!
Sincerely,
Check out Eugene School District 4J and GreatSchools for more information about schools.
FAQs
Is South Eugene a good place to live?
Yes, South Eugene is known for its excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, abundant parks, and strong community atmosphere, making it one of the most desirable places to live in Eugene.
What are the best neighborhoods in South Eugene?
Fairmount, College Hill, Amazon, Friendly Street, and Laurelwood are among the most popular South Eugene neighborhoods for families and young professionals.
What is the average home price in South Eugene?
Home prices vary by neighborhood but generally range from the mid-$500,000s to over $1M for larger homes near parks and schools.
Is South Eugene good for families?
Yes — the area is known for top-rated public schools, walkable streets, family-friendly parks, and strong community engagement.
