What About Veneta?

[bugbrat]

Wow. Um, I just felt so bad after reading the posts here about Veneta that I had to post. We've lived here for eight years now, and we really like Veneta. We live in an older subdivision that was expanded to accommodate several more houses (ours being one of them), and I can say that it's the friendliest neighborhood I've ever lived in. Also, we're far enough from Eugene to retain a small town feel, though development does seem to be high on the list of priorities for the powers that be in Veneta. Although our downtown area is virtually bust, we do have a bustling strip mall that includes a nice grocery store with friendly clerks - I know them all by name now since they seem to have a very low turnover rate for their employees. I also feel very comfortable taking my kids out for walks throughout Veneta, and yes, I've seen the teeny-boppers walking around with their provocative clothing - just as I've seen this in most places I've lived...I think that's the nature of being a teeny-bopper. Anyway, I don't have any hard information to pass along really. I just wanted to post a positive note about our town because it's really a comfortable, low-key, friendly place to live. And by the way, although none of my neighbors has a couch on their porch, if they did, I'd be happy to be invited over to enjoy a beer with them on it.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by bugbrat

Wow. Um, I just felt so bad after reading the posts here about Veneta that I had to post. We've lived here for eight years now, and we really like Veneta. We live in an older subdivision that was expanded to accommodate several more houses (ours being one of them), and I can say that it's the friendliest neighborhood I've ever lived in. Also, we're far enough from Eugene to retain a small town feel, though development does seem to be high on the list of priorities for the powers that be in Veneta. Although our downtown area is virtually bust, we do have a bustling strip mall that includes a nice grocery store with friendly clerks - I know them all by name now since they seem to have a very low turnover rate for their employees. I also feel very comfortable taking my kids out for walks throughout Veneta, and yes, I've seen the teeny-boppers walking around with their provocative clothing - just as I've seen this in most places I've lived...I think that's the nature of being a teeny-bopper. Anyway, I don't have any hard information to pass along really. I just wanted to post a positive note about our town because it's really a comfortable, low-key, friendly place to live. And by the way, although none of my neighbors has a couch on their porch, if they did, I'd be happy to be invited over to enjoy a beer with them on it.

You must be the mayor or something, because I have never heard such a positive note about Veneta.

[OrygunBorn]

Originally Posted by ArtMom

I have to chime in. We found (on the internet) a great house in Elmira (sister city to Veneta) drove all the way from out of state to see it. Yes, nice house, but TERRIBLE AREA! I am being very honest. Here's what we saw and didnt like: We were looking at a $900,000 house.

There are $900k houses in Elmira???? Wow! I would prefer to live on Fox Hollow or the south hills area. No dumpy neighbors there. I looked at a nice house in the south hills yesterday for $300k. It was surrounded by $500k homes.

BTW, out here in the ourskirts of Eugene, or even outside of Portland, that is common. Junk cars, appliances, yards littered with crap and garbage. It is sad to see, but it is very common. The Lorane Valley is nice, and I was looking at houses up there. It is similar to Veneta/Elmira though. There are some half to one million dollar estates right next to trash heaps along Territorial Highway. Farther out, and especially farther south it gets worse. Places like Curtain, Drain, Yoncalla, etc. have a lot of trailers and mobile homes on land and piles of junk in their yards. Its part of the Oregon Experience.

[OrygunBorn]

Originally Posted by tiffela74

what about Drain instead? Might be too far though, its what, about 45min. from Eugene? Grant you, theres not much there, but maybe worth looking into??
Tiffany

Drain? A $900k house in Drain?

Every time I drive through Drain, I have to gag. The entire town is for sale. The saw shop is for sale. The main cafe is for sale. The sandwhich shop is for sale. The coffee shop is for sale. City blocks are for sale. The old Road Kill Grill is closed and for sale (now called something else, but it for sale). Three or four older restaurants are boarded up. One grocery store is OK, the rest are a joke. The town is filled with used junk stores. The liquer store used to be in a 'used item' store, but is now in the movie rental place. Lots of saw mills. And a tavern or two left. If that is what you like. No development plans. No industry. No jobs. No future. Literally. The town has been shrinking for about 50 years now. Drain has little if anything, other than being on the road to the Oregon Dunes. Oh yah, just past Drain on Highway 38 along Elk Creek is a place where there are maybe a dozen cars and PU trucks scattered there in a yard, and they raise pigs that live in them. Now, that's roadside class for you!

[haggardhouseelf]

We've looked at a few places in Veneta as well as Elmira... they were pretty sweet. We have ultimately decided to stick with Eugene, though, because we love the schools that our boys attend in Eugene and we don't want them to have to switch schools. If you have children, I haven't really heard very good things about the Veneta or Elmira schools. In fact, the things we did hear kind of scared us off. But the towns themselves seem to be heading in a positive direction. It's definitely not an urban-feeling environment in either place. Appearances mean less there, for sure! It's more about relaxing, enjoying nature, chillin' out, that sort of lifestyle. Or at least - that's what we gather.

If I had 900K to spend on a home I would definitely buy in the South Hills. LOVE that area. We have friends who have homes in that area and - aside from the deer, wild turkey, and giant raccoons constantly tearing up their yards - we are totally in awe of their homes and their neighborhood. It's wonderful, and the schools are good in that area as well.

Santa Clara is lovely, too, but it's patchy. It seems to have a rough time with crime as well. Theft and break-ins, that sort of thing. Parts of the Santa Clara neighborhood and the River Road neighborhood though we do really love. You might want to keep in mind that not all those areas are incorporated in with the city of Eugene. It's not really that big of a deal, I don't think... but certain city services you will not have access to (you will deal with the Lane county sherriff instead of the Eugene Police) and you will pay extra for other services (library, city pools, etc.)... just something to consider.

I think the Santa Clara neighborhood is really on the up and up currently - isn't there a new community center, elem. school, and library in the works?

[ClassicalContractor]

$900,000? Wow. You could build 3 brand-new mansions in the new golf-course subdivision in Oakridge for the same amount. Yes, we're about 45 minutes from Eugene...and about 20 minutes from the summit where there's a ski resort...and none of the nightmare political stuff being discussed.

[haggardhouseelf]

Gas is around $4.19 a gallon... for that reason as well schools for the kids we ruled out buying too far from Eugene. It's so nice to be able to walk or bike to work and school and where ever it is you need to go. And there's a bus that will pick you up in Eugene and take you up the mountain to ski (to Willamette Pass). It's so easy and convenient. We don't have to worry about anything.

Oakridge is beautiful, we have looked around in that area and know a few people who live out there. You still have some of the "couches on porches" sort of issues out there as it is even more rural than places like Veneta, but I also like Oakridge. If it weren't for the environmental reasons (more driving) and school concerns for our kids, we might have considered it more seriously.

[5chevin5]

My folks live out in Marcola.
Nice area, covered bridges etc....
20-minutes to Springfield and another 10 to Eugene.
Lots of trees and the Mohawk River. I have seen very nice homes with property or river views for 350-400 K.

Just another idea....

Good Luck
5

[klalchuck]

If you work in Eugene, better to live in Eugene. Too many people driving around especially out W 11th. Commuting is a waste of time and resources.

[pgaut]

Look into Junction City. We moved here from Eugene 10 years ago and commute. It's an easy 10 minute drive on a 4 lane highway. Small town feel with all the services. Historical homes as well as lots of new ones. Great place to live!