Douglas County, in which Roseburg sits, provides social, legal and health services to seniors through the Douglas County Senior and Disabilities Services Department (541-440-3580).  Umpqua Transit provides public bus service for seniors and others throughout the area.  The local newspaper publishes a regular section entitled Senior Times which reports on senior activities and events in Roseburg.  There are also several active senior volunteer programs in town, including a foster grandparent program, a senior companion program and RSVP (the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program).   The Roseburg Senior Center is located at the County Health Center Building and offers a variety of services to those 55 and above.  The Douglas County Library is small but a community center point and offers free internet access.  Umpqua Community College is a two-year institution that offers adult education in a variety of vocational subjects.

Outdoor activities and the surrounding natural beauty are what make Roseburg such a great place to retire.  Nestled among lush forests, mighty rivers and green meadows, the opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, river rafting and just taking scenic car trips are endless.  Charming covered bridges dot the area, and the trip to Crater Lake, just 20 miles east of town, winds through some of the most spectacularly beautiful country in the Land of Umpqua, home to the North and South Umpqua Rivers and numerous waterfalls (approximately 25) throughout the lush Umpqua National Forest.   Diamond Lake at the summit of the Oregon Cascades is just 79 miles away.  

The Douglas County Parks Department has more than 50 parks in the system, ranging from large facilities with overnight camping to small boat launching access points.   Roseburg itself has 345 city parks, and there are seven wineries just outside of town (follow the Wine Tour Route through the Garden Valley area heading northwest and to Winston and Ten Mile heading southwest).  When the grandkids come, they will enjoy the Wildlife Safari, a 600-acre habitat in which exotic animals roam.   Roseburg also has two golf courses, the Stewart Park Golf Course which has nine holes (six with water), is fairly flat and has no sand, and Myrtle Creek Golf Course, newer and just up the road, which has nineteen regulation holes, many with sand and four with water.

Roseburg celebrates its community spirit with a number of festivals each year, including Discovery Days and Rodeo (in June), the Quilters' Guild Quilters' Show (in April), the Winery Barrel Tasting Show (in April), the Summer Arts Festival (in June) and the wonderful Festival of Lights (in December) in which more than 300,000 lights and 80 animated displays light up downtown during the Christmas season.  

The Roseburg area has sunny, warm summers, and it typically does not rain from mid-June to mid-September.  Summer temperatures can reach the 90s but usually only for a few days.  The winters are usually in the 50's and 60's with intermittent fog and rain but not much freezing.  It may snow on the Valley floor once or twice a year, but the snow melts quickly.   Fall weather is pleasant and crisp, producing brilliant leaf colors in late October.  The soil is rich, and the growing season is 127 days, something gardeners will appreciate!  The sun shines roughly 60% of the time during the summer; winters are overcast (it's Oregon).

There are some drawbacks to retirement in Roseburg.   Cultural activities and the arts are not in plentiful supply; those seeking theater and museums will need to travel to Eugene.   The road to the coast is winding and used by logging trucks, so the drive is not always enjoyable.   The weather may be considered a drawback to some; others will love how it moisturizes their skin!    Politically and socially, Roseburg is conservative, which will appeal to some but not to others.  The crime rate is slightly above the national average, but most crimes are theft-related; violent crime is very rare.

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