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 (some of this is due to grass seed farmers burning their fields for pest control purposes during the summer and fall).   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 will right at home.

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