Towns near Eugene (Springfield, Cottage Grove, Junction City: fit in, rent, homes)

[zepp]

What are the towns like that are near Eugene? Are there good schools with a family feel in the more "country" towns near Eugene? I'm looking for a place that's not conservative, but not quite as far left leaning as Eugene. Any place like this exist?

[chuckycheese]

I haven't lived in Oregon in many years but when I lived in Eugene (U of O, class of '78), Coburg was a really, really nice little town and very conveniently located.

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by zepp

What are the towns like that are near Eugene? Are there good schools with a family feel in the more "country" towns near Eugene? I'm looking for a place that's not conservative, but not quite as far left leaning as Eugene. Any place like this exist?

You might try this school district - Crow-Applegate-Lorane Schools Main Page

City of Lorane Oregon

Crow and Lorane are south of Eugene, but still close enough so that grocery shopping and getting to the bank is not a big bother. It's a nice area with lots of farms, hills, windy hilly roads. There are woodsy areas and wide open spaces areas. It's worth a drive if you're home hunting in the area. I've heard good things about the Crow-Applegate-Lorane school district.

You might also want to try the north river road area. I'm not sure about the schools in that area, but it also has a more "country" feel to it. There are PYO berry farms and farm stands and so on... Look at the map of Eugene and find River Road and just keep going north. Junction City is out that way as well, but again I don't know much about the schools in Junction City. I've heard from families who do live on little farms out there that it's a sweet place to live though.

Oregon also has a free online public school. Two, actually: Connections Academy and Oregon Virtual Academy. It's a bit like homeschooling, but your student is still enrolled in a public school and has a teacher and supplies provided by the school and so on, just as they would a traditional school. So if you find a place that fits your needs, but the schools are not very good there, there is always that option.

Good luck!

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by chuckycheese

I haven't lived in Oregon in many years but when I lived in Eugene (U of O, class of '78), Coburg was a really, really nice little town and very conveniently located.

Coburg is a sweet little town, just north of Eugene. There is an elementary school there, but no middle or high school. The Coburg students go to Cal Young Middle school and Sheldon High School which are both in Eugene. Unfortunately, the kids who live in Eugene and go to Cal Young and Sheldon often give the Coburg kids a hard time... it's not a really big issue, and the staff at Cal oung I know are very aware of the problem and work hard to keep things in check, it's just something to think about. Our oldest son attends Cal Young, so it's just something we've seen the past two years. If they get involved in sports, though, they will probably find a way to fit in and not get picked on, maybe. Sports (football, basketball...) are a big deal at both schools, especially Sheldon.

[movingtomaryland]

Springfield is another city that is separated from Eugene by I-5. The schools in Springfield are excellent...the Springfield school superintendant is very progressive and dedicated to excellence in education...and to what is best for kids! Springfield is way more "blue collar" than Eugene. If you were to live in the Thurston area...which is east Springfield you could possibly get a "country feel." Springfield is also generally cheaper than Eugene in regards to housing for the most part. The other surrounding towns...Coburg, Junction City, Creswell, Cottage Grove, Elmira, Veneta...are very small and don't have much to do.

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by movingtomaryland

Springfield is another city that is separated from Eugene by I-5. The schools in Springfield are excellent...the Springfield school superintendant is very progressive and dedicated to excellence in education...and to what is best for kids! Springfield is way more "blue collar" than Eugene. If you were to live in the Thurston area...which is east Springfield you could possibly get a "country feel." Springfield is also generally cheaper than Eugene in regards to housing for the most part. The other surrounding towns...Coburg, Junction City, Creswell, Cottage Grove, Elmira, Veneta...are very small and don't have much to do.

I am so glad to hear someone say something positive about Springfield! Springfield has this reputation for being run-down and white-trash, with bad schools... but there are really nice parts of Springfield, too. It's like referring to Eugene as a hippie mecca. Eugene is not all crunchy, it depends on the neighborhood you're in.

Why do you say that the schools are "excellent"? I have never heard that. I've heard that the schools are not great in Springfield... but maybe things are changing for the better? We've almost bought a home in Springfield several times, but what kept us away ultimately were the reputation of the schools. We have kids and we would rather rent near good schools while they finish school, than buy in a place where the schools are bad.

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by haggardhouseelf

I am so glad to hear someone say something positive about Springfield! Springfield has this reputation for being run-down and white-trash, with bad schools... but there are really nice parts of Springfield, too. It's like referring to Eugene as a hippie mecca. Eugene is not all crunchy, it depends on the neighborhood you're in.

Why do you say that the schools are "excellent"? I have never heard that. I've heard that the schools are not great in Springfield... but maybe things are changing for the better? We've almost bought a home in Springfield several times, but what kept us away ultimately were the reputation of the schools. We have kids and we would rather rent near good schools while they finish school, than buy in a place where the schools are bad.

I've heard that Thurston High School is a very good school. Haven't heard much else about Springfield schools...

[Mr Eugenified]

Objective test scores and other interesting data for all schools in Oregon can be checked here: AYP and Report Card Download - Oregon Department of Education

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by backdrifter

I've heard that Thurston High School is a very good school. Haven't heard much else about Springfield schools...

I've heard good things about Thurston, too. I guess I always consider Thurston as outside or not a part of Springfield...The Thurston Hills area is great!

[sarahkate_m]

Thurston is awesome. There is a bit of a smell from the mill, though. If you have kids, I don't think you'd want them taking the bus in Springfield. It's just not something I'd recommend, at least not for kids. If you don't know what I mean, just try it once by yourself. It's stressful, beyond any measure I've otherwise experienced, for the bus type experience.