Florence/Eugene Area (Springfield, Junction City: employment, living, groceries)

[furyu]

Originally Posted by FoxyKnox

Correct, it would be hard to grow veggies right along the coast, but as far inland as he is talking (~5-10 miles) should have absolutely no problems. The Willamette Valley is extremely fertile, and it is easy to grow great gardens.

I have friends just a mile 'up river' and it gets into the 90s frequently during the summer. It'll be 60 or maybe 70 here on the coast, but sunny and HOT just a mile or two inland. Most years, their tomatoes have been yummy! (They start seedlings in late winter inside and then plant them as soon as the risk of frost is over.)

But that's why I live on the coast. I really can't stand temperatures above 80 degrees. I've sacrificed my garden, for now. I may set up a small greenhouse eventually. And fortunately, I belong to a co-op where I can get organic produce year 'round.

[tj7run]

One of the most beautiful states, Eugene is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I lived in Eugene for 17 years, and now live in Oregon City which is on the outside of Portland, Oregon. If you like to ride quads, then you'll love the Oregon coast. Florence offers you an array of dunes that won't quit that run south to Coos Bay Oregon. Winchester Bay which falls between Florence and Coos Bay hosts Dune Fest every summer, and has some of the most exciting atv riding on the West coast. Florence is only an hour away from Eugene, with many small towns along the way. Veneta Oregon is a small town 20 minutes from Eugene, which is growing and has wonderful schools. The Oregon coast is mild, usually the only thing you hear of is occasional high winds, but nothing like the coast lines of Texas or Lousiana. My sister lives in Florence and has always said that the weather is much more mild than what people think. If nothing else I would consider visiting the area to get a real feel for what this beautiful state offers.

[FoxyKnox]

Originally Posted by Wood & Creek

I'm actually a she .

Whoops! Sorry W&C!

[Wood & Creek]

Originally Posted by furyu

My feeling is, you attract those things you think most about. I know that sounds airy-fairy to some, but hey--it's worked for me! (We did escape getting shot, after all. )

It's funny, I have the same philosophy. My friends are always ragging on me to be more alert and proactive against potential crime.. (locking my doors, leaving my purse out ect) I KNOW their right... yet this little voice inside me tells me that once I start boarding the windows and carrying mace is when something will actually happen!

And to this day I've never been robbed despite my overly trusting nature.

*knocks on wood*

I'm really not superstitious though!

Back to the topic.. as far as the marijuana fields go, it really does seem like a remote possibility. It certainly wouldn't stop me from enjoying the outdoors! Has anyone ever actually been shot and/or killed by these people that your aware of?

[Wood & Creek]

Originally Posted by tj7run

One of the most beautiful states, Eugene is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I lived in Eugene for 17 years, and now live in Oregon City which is on the outside of Portland, Oregon. If you like to ride quads, then you'll love the Oregon coast. Florence offers you an array of dunes that won't quit that run south to Coos Bay Oregon. Winchester Bay which falls between Florence and Coos Bay hosts Dune Fest every summer, and has some of the most exciting atv riding on the West coast. Florence is only an hour away from Eugene, with many small towns along the way. Veneta Oregon is a small town 20 minutes from Eugene, which is growing and has wonderful schools. The Oregon coast is mild, usually the only thing you hear of is occasional high winds, but nothing like the coast lines of Texas or Lousiana. My sister lives in Florence and has always said that the weather is much more mild than what people think. If nothing else I would consider visiting the area to get a real feel for what this beautiful state offers.

Thanks for the info Tj, I'm not much into ATV's, but I will look more into Veneta as that seems right up my alley. I did visit OR a couple of months ago but only went to Portland, Sisters, Black Butte and wherever Multnomah Falls is. I will definitely be making another trip and I have a pretty good idea of where to look, all the small towns near Eugene!

As far as the weather, I am from Minnesota and am used to extremely cold winters and very hot and humid summers. 90's will not be too hot, and 30's will not be too cold, and an occasional dusting of snow will be just fine! The only thing I may miss is the spectacular lightening storms we get here, I've heard there aren't many in OR. Overall, the weather will seem like complete paradise from where I'm coming from.

Foxy, no worries

[furyu]

Originally Posted by tj7run

... Florence offers you an array of dunes that won't quit that run south to Coos Bay Oregon. Winchester Bay which falls between Florence and Coos Bay hosts Dune Fest every summer, and has some of the most exciting atv riding on the West coast. ... The Oregon coast is mild, usually the only thing you hear of is occasional high winds, but nothing like the coast lines of Texas or Lousiana. My sister lives in Florence and has always said that the weather is much more mild than what people think.

After moving to Brookings and discovering we lived close to a lumber mill that runs 24/7 (sometimes quite loudly), we started looking around for homes in other towns along the coast. Florence was listed in some survey or magazine or something as one of the best retirement communities in all of the U.S. That it was so close to Eugene was a big selling point. So we checked it out. The differences were considerable:

Florence is much more windy than Brookings. True, not gale force winds, but pretty much constant westerlies. All the trees bend east. That's something you don't see in Brookings.

It's at sea level so it's difficult to find homes with good ocean views or situated along the coast that we could afford. Plus as you pointed out, the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area takes up something like 40 miles along the coast from Coos Bay to Florence and thus, there is no coastal development. That's a good thing, of course.

And those sand dunes? Well, with the near constant winds, there is a lot of blowing sand around town!

We have since visited Florence on days when it's really nice and warm and all, but nothing beats Brookings when it comes to warm(er) summer weather, and fewer windy days. Frankly, cooler weather wouldn't bother me, but I didn't like all that blowing sand. And the coast line isn't as interesting as the southern coastline. I'm spoiled now and would miss the sea stacks, the rocky coast line. (I was born in Maine so it's in my blood!)

Florence, though, is a far nicer town than Brookings. No doubt about it. Clean, well kept, more shops/stores, places of interest, and better restaurants. And close to Eugene. I can see why it'd attract a lot of retirees. It just wasn't the town for us.

We got used to the lumber mill. Everyone around here told us we would. I still don't like it, but I've gotten used to it.

[bouldermolder]

From a native... Ya rolls the dice and Ya take yur chances... The shear splendor of Mother Nature in her raw form will take your breath away! Stand on the edge of Cape Blanco in the middle of a winter storm and shake your fist at her and she will kick your ass. (period, end of story, yur crab bait) At the same time she made all we live in and protect. If it is her will then YES she will take my life and that of my family's but I sitll live here enjoying her spendor and accepting all the risks.

PS. There are many things that will kill you... a Tsunami ranks # 25897845121555 on the list! Check it out.

[jenny1941]

We've lived in the Deadwood/Greenleaf area for 4+ years - we've not had one problem with "lawlessness". I suppose every area has the problem from what I read in the newspaper, but here is no more here than any other place. We go to Eugene a couple times each week, always slow down at Triangle Lake and have NEVER seen anyone buzzing through there. I'm sure the summer drivers are different plus there's a lot more of them.

I find the driving for groceries to be my biggest problem, other than that it's very quiet here. We love it!!!

[Wood & Creek]

Thank you Jenny, that is just the type of info/advice that I'm looking for!

[ritavango]

Does anyone know what the casino is like in Florence called Three Rivers Casino? Is it a nice place to stay.?