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Laid-Back Eugene, Oregon Draws
Retirees Interested in Lush Surroundings, Rich Cultural Scene and
Liberal Atmosphere
Cost of Living: Above the National Average
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he first viewed Oregon's rich Willamette Valley, the
future home of Eugene (population 150,000), New Yorker
Eugene Skinner wrote to his sister, "I have found
Paradise." And today, the area is still
regarded by many as "Paradise," thanks to its
lush landscape and proximity to both mountains and the
ocean. Located on the Willamette River 110 miles
south of Portland, growing Eugene is nicknamed "The
Emerald City" and boasts rich cultural amenities,
strong senior programs, good health care and a beautiful
setting. Twenty-two percent of its residents are
age 45 to 64, and twelve percent are age 65 or better.
Eugene is a popular place, and living here costs
approximately 5% more than in the average U.S. city.
The median home price is $225,000, down roughly 8% in
the last year, but buyers should expect to pay quite a
bit more for a nice home in a nicer neighborhood.
Residences come in all shapes and styles, from bungalows
to single-family ranch styles to bi-levels and
tri-levels.
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Not a lot of detached homes can be found for less than $225,000,
but there are some smaller (1,000 to 1,200 square feet),
more modest dwellings, a few in need of TLC, for sale in the
$200,000-$225,000 range. Home inventory really
begins to open up once the selling price reaches $250,000.
Very small condos and town homes (500 square feet) can be found
for around $100,000, but most are priced in the low to
mid-$200,000s and up. The average
apartment rent is roughly $990 per month for a two bedroom unit,
but the rental market is tight (students), and a 97% occupancy
rate is common.
The property tax rate is roughly $10 per $1,000 assessed
valuation or 1% of a home's value. Oregon has no state
sales tax, no individual personal property tax, no taxed
admissions to theater or sporting events and no motor vehicle
excise tax, among others. Social Security and Veterans
Administration pensions are not taxed. Personal
income tax rates range from 5% to nearly 11%. The state
allows a $1,200 (single) or $2,000 (couple) additional income
tax deduction for those age 65 or above.
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Home to to the lush, 250-acre University of Oregon (20,000
students), Eugene has a decidedly liberal tilt. Slightly funky with
visible vestiges of the 1960s, a tolerance for less traditional lifestyles and
a strong interest in environmentalism, the city attracts a left leaning
population. It also ranks highly when it comes to the arts,
outdoor recreation and cultural diversity. Indeed, Eugene is known
as the "World’s Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors" and is
ranked as one of the top 10 bicycling towns in the U.S., with an extensive
network of cycling and walking trails throughout the city (there 28 miles of
off-street paths and 78 miles of on-street bicycle lanes). The
off-street paths are built along the Willamette River and meander through
parks and gardens.
Retirees have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the laid-back
Eugene lifestyle. The Oregon Country Fair, held in late July, is a
combination of outdoor musical festival and renaissance crafts fair. The
outdoor Saturday Market features arts and crafts, food booths and music.
Held each weekend from April to mid-December, it is a good place to shop for
fun craft items and is the oldest weekly open-air crafts festival in the
country. The Oregon Festival of American Music takes place every
August, and the annual Oregon
Bach Festival happens in late June. Seniors are eligible for
discount ticket rates, and the Festival's Elderhostel program entitles
enrollees to behind-the-scenes participation in lectures and workshops.
Known for its cultural events, Eugene is the home of the Hult Center for the
Performing Arts, renowned for its acoustical
perfection, where operas, ballets and symphonies are performed year
round. The internationally known Oregon Bach Festival features more than
40 concerts at the University's Beall Concert Hall and includes the music of
Bach, Brahms, Mozart, as well the music of 20th and 21st century artists. The
city also has excellent museums, including the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
Coffeehouses, pubs, microbreweries and eclectic shops dot the city, and
small natural foods stores are common in almost every neighborhood.
Restaurants, from Chinese to vegetarian, are plentiful. Wine tasting is
always fun, and there are several vineyards and wineries within a short drive
of Eugene. Hinman Vineyards and Secret House Winery are two of the best
and offer daily tastings.
Eugene is located 60 miles from the coast and about 60 miles
from the Cascade Mountains, providing year round opportunities for hiking,
camping, boating, bird watching, bicycling and more. Residents also
enjoy Kentucky Falls, 45 miles west of the city, which boasts
three waterfalls. The Rogue River is a great spot for whitewater rafting, and
Willamette Pass Ski Area and Hoodoo Ski Area to the east are winter favorites.
Golfers have eight courses, six open to the public and two that are private,
from which to choose. Sports fans will want to cheer on The University
of Oregon Ducks.
Residents
enjoy three beautiful short seasons and one long rainy winter, which lasts
from November to at least April. There is little snow, but rainfall can
reach 6 to 9 inches per month during the winter. Overcast skies
and constant rain can make for some dreary months. Temperatures are
moderate, however, with average summer temperatures in the high 70s and mid
80s, and average winter temperatures in the 30s and 40s. Winter
humidity averages 80%, which some people may find uncomfortable.
Sacred
Heart Medical Center (432 beds) is the primary health care facility and is the
largest hospital between Portland and San Francisco. It has
recently been named a Consumer Choice Award Winner, as it has been for the
last eight years, meaning that patients rate its doctors and nurses among the
best. More than 3,200 hospitals were studied nationwide for the
234 top spots; other winners have included the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins
Hospital, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital.
Sacred Heart also houses the Gerontology Institute, a
program that specializes in medicine for the more mature set.
For further medical care, a 114-bed medical center is open in Springfield, a
nearby community.
Eugene
may be a college town, but it has a solid support system for retirees.
The Trude Kaufman Senior Center provides classes and social events and is
located in a charming Victorian home. The Campbell Senior Center offers
field trips, meals, social activities, classes, volunteer opportunities and
referrals to other community resources. The Area
Agency on Aging and Disability Services for Lane County manages the Senior
& Disabled Services (S&DS) and offers senior meals and in-home care.
OASIS is an educational organization that offers a good selection of
classes and workshops for those over age 50.
The
University of Oregon is also a wonderful resource for retirees. It has a
continuing education program and its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is
targeted to seniors. For a low annual fee ($75 to $100), seniors attend
classes, lectures and events. Many regular classes can be audited for no
charge. Lane Community College, considered one of the best in the
country, has personal enrichment classes and a strong business emphasis.
Seniors receive 50% tuition discount.
Eugene is served by a major airport, Amtrak rail service and
major bus lines. The Lane Transit District (LTD) is the local bus
system; everyone age 18 to 64 rides for $1.50. Those age 65 or
better ride for free.
There
are drawbacks to retirement in Eugene. The air quality is poor, well below the
national average, and people with allergies or asthma may have a difficult time here.
The crime rate is higher than the national norm, but the vast majority most of
crimes are related to property. Transients and the homeless can be
seen is some areas of the city. The amount of rain may be too much
for some people. Retirees in search of a pretty, liberal city near
the coast, though, will feel right at home.
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