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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.
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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. 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.
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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.
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.
Eugene,
Oregon, Continued...
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Great Retirement Spots Newsletter is
published many times a month by Webwerxx, Inc. 2770 S. Elmira St.,
#152, Denver, CO 80231. (303) 358-0512. Copyright © 2006-2010.
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be
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Oregon Retirement Real Estate Active Adult
Developments in Oregon Homes for Sale Retirement Communities
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