I agree, its a beautiful area. I live and work on eastside, but I know sooner or later I'll be priced right out of there. but thats a whole other story ( gentrification )
If you've ever read any HP Lovecraft, many of his stories take place or are mentioned in this immediate area of college hill. One of his books, turned B movie- the opening shot shows the street sign for benevolent st...From Beyond or Reanimator, I cant remember. the shlock films made from his stories arent worth your time, but the stories are.
"The Shunned House" is on benefit st.
as the story (lovecrafts) goes and I dont know how much is true, Benefit used to be called Back st and was a little curved and twisted around a graveyard. either way, he describes this neighborhoods look and feel that is accurate and interesting. he is very wordy, but if you can get past that, he's one of the greatest writers of the genre.
http://www.hplovecraft.com/