"I can't believe that they've done this to me. I can't conceive that they've killed history." -John Marshall Carter, The Ballad of Leaksville, Spray and Draper
Present-day Eden is actually a consolidation of three towns: Draper, Leaksville and Spray. John Marshall Carter, a Leaksville native, was away at college when residents voted to merge into one city in 1967. He was devastated to return to "Eden" and, fitting of the times, wrote a protest-minded song lamenting the loss of his hometown. Luckily, most residents don't share John's sentiments, but you can still recognize some distinct qualities in each section of the city. A lot of that has to do with the Smith River, which runs right through the middle of town. But those differences provide residents with a variety of options for property rentals in Eden, a city that encompasses 15 square miles with a population density of about 1,000 people per square mile.
Residents definitely see the value of this available space, so plans to develop and grow without sacrificing the city's authentic vibe have been taking shape over the years
"I can't believe that they've done this to me. I can't conceive that they've killed history." -John Marshall Carter, The Ballad of Leaksville, Spray and Draper
Present-day Eden is actually a consolidation of three towns: Draper, Leaksville and Spray. John Marshall Carter, a Leaksville native, was away at college when residents voted to merge into one city in 1967. He was devastated to return to "Eden" and, fitting of the times, wrote a protest-minded song lamenting the loss of his hometown. Luckily, most residents don't share John's sentiments, but you can still recognize some distinct qualities in each section of the city. A lot of that has to do with the Smith River, which runs right through the middle of town. But those differences provide residents with a variety of options for property rentals in Eden, a city that encompasses 15 square miles with a population density of about 1,000 people per square mile.
Moving to Eden
Residents definitely see the value of this available space, so plans to develop and grow without sacrificing the city's authentic vibe have been taking shape over the years. You won't find any fancy high-rise apartments here. But the low population density, coupled with numerous residential areas and development plans in the works, mean finding rental housing shouldn't be too much of an issue today or into the future. You can choose from a garden apartment building, townhouse, duplex or single-family home. However, don't assume that available means easy. You'll still have to provide adequate references and go through employment and credit checks before you can rent in Eden.
Neighborhoods in Eden
Each region of the city is developed around its own downtown area, featuring a historic atmosphere and shopping. While the idea was to attract tourists to the city with different experiences, residents have access to a lot of possibilities as well.
Draper Area: On the east side of town, the area that used to be occupied by Draper is bounded by East Meadow Drive to the north, South New Street to the west and the Dan River to the south. Here, you'll find single-family homes built in the late 1950's, as well as duplexes and apartment buildings. In the Draper Village Shopping District, you can go shopping at Granny's Variety and Antiques on North Fieldcrest Road or visit the Railroad Cafe at Main and East Meadow for one of the best hot dogs around.
Central Area: Spanning the area between South New Street and South Van Buren Road, the Central District is what ties the two halves of the city together. The upper part of this area contains older homes built in the late 1950's. It's also where you'll find most of the specialty shops in this region of the city, including Eden Jewelry and Roberts Frame and Art Gallery. The area south of East Stadium Drive, however, has seen more recent development, with houses built in the 1980's and big-box retailers such as Walmart. The town movie theater is also in the Central District.
Leaksville Area: Established in 1797, the Leaksville District is the oldest area of the city. That may explain why it has the most variety when it comes to shopping, with gourmet food and wine, antiques, jewelry, music and art all available within just a few blocks. The Leaksville area also offers an assortment of housing options, including well-maintained single-family houses, townhomes and apartments complexes. People looking for a one-bedroom apartment for rent may find what they're looking for here.
Boulevard Area: This area encompass what used to be the town of Spray. The Boulevard area between Old State Highway 87 and the Smith River boasts homes from the 1920's with large suburban lots. Revitalization efforts are underway in the district's downtown retail section, but stores such as Uden's Shoe Center, Boulevard Pharmacy, Glasgow Music and All About Flowers are holding down the fort in the meantime.
Living in Eden
As you can imagine, there's not much in the way of public transportation here. The downtown areas are highly walkable, but residential areas lack sidewalks and can be a bit far from stores and such, so most residents use a car to get around.
To keep themselves entertained, residents of Eden can take in live music at Freedom Park or celebrate the city's history during the annual RiverFest event. The city is also home to the Eden Drive-In, one of only nine remaining drive-ins in the state. For more physical activities, you can take advantage of the county-wide collection of bike trails that pass through the city or take a hike to the Barnett Canal waterfall. Need a faster pace? Lace up at the Roll-A-Bout Skating rink or hit the perfect crooked grind at the Skate Park at Freedom Park.
