|
|
Eugene is a popular place, and life here is more
expensive than in many other cities; the cost-of-living is
roughly 5% to 10% above the national average; the median
home price is $290,000, well above the national average, and
while prices dipped during the summer, they are beginning to
climb again. Homes run the gamut from bungalows
to single-family ranch styles to bi-levels and
tri-levels. The median home price will purchase an
older home with 2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and roughly 2,000
square feet (new construction generally costs
more).
|
Not a lot of detached homes can be found for less
than $240,000, 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 $215,000-$225,000 range. Home inventory really begins
to open up once the selling price hits $300,000+. 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.
For foreclosures in Eugene, click
here (advertisement). Use zip code 97440.
Property tax rate for the city of Eugene is
roughly $10 per $1,000 assessed valuation or 1% of a home's value.
Oregon has no sales tax, no individual personal
property tax, no taxed admissions to theater or sporting events
and no motor vehicle excise tax, among others. The state
allows a $1,200 (single) or $2,000 (couple) additional income tax
deduction for those 65 or above. Social Security and
Veterans Administration pensions are not taxed.
The average apartment rent is roughly $990 per
month for a two bedroom unit, but the rental market is tight; a
97% and higher occupancy rate is common.
One of the reasons for this is that this is a
college town. It is home to the lush, 250-acre University of
Oregon, and it has a liberal tilt. Some might describe it as
a funky place, with visible vestiges of the 1960s (some of whom
may be seen downtown in particular) a tolerance for
less traditional lifestyles and a strong interest in
environmentalism; the city 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's 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.
Eugene,
Oregon, Continued...
|
