Towns Between Salem & Eugene? (Springfield, Corvallis: rentals, health insurance, homes)

[The Dish]

What are some towns about 1/2 way between Salem and Eugene?

We are moving to Eugene (gulp, I said it) and want to drag my parents with us. They need to live closer to Salem because that's where their insurance is.

What are some towns for retiree types between Salem and Eugene?

Thank you.

[pw72]

Never heard of insurance companies requiring people to live in certain areas, but if that is the case...

The major areas between Salem and Eugene are Albany, Corvallis, and Lebanon. Albany is anywhere-usa, right on I-5, and probably the commercial center of the area. Corvallis is, of course, home to Oregon State University and has a small-town college-vibe. Lebanon, well, it's a pretty small town without many attractions.

Eugene is beautiful and I would move back in a heartbeat! Just a perfect-sized city, not too big, not too small, and not everyone there is a hippie, despite the reputation!

[jjpop]

I'm guessing the insurance concern is that your folks have Kaiser Permanente health insurance. Is that correct? If so, I can understand why they would want to live pretty close.

There are some nice small towns--consider Monmouth or Independence or Dallas on the west side of I-5, or Albany right on I-5, or Scio, Stayton, or Turner on the east side of I-5.

Monmouth in particular has a nice small-town feel to it, has some senior citizen housing, and is the home of Western Oregon University, but you are still a good 20 miles from Salem. Albany is the largest of these cities, offers quite a bit of senior housing, and is an easy 20 interstate miles from Salem.

[PortlandNative]

I would highly recommend Corvallis (yes, I'm an Oregon State grad, but here's the reasons).

Corvallis is 40 minutes to Salem and 60 minutes to Eugene. It's also about 60 minutes to the coast.

Having a university in Corvallis provides a huge range of activities for Seniors - everything from college courses (I think that they're at much lower tuition rates for seniors) to athletics and arts events. Also, Corvallis at 50,000 people is big enough to have movie theaters and lots of independent restaurants and shops and little cultural events around town. There is a lot of hiking and mountain biking just minutes outside of town and plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community if one desires. It's smaller than Eugene and has a more sleepy atmosphere.

Not to knock Eugene. It's a nice place, but Corvallis would be about a half hour so closer to Salem.

[skytrekker]

I have spent time in Corvallis and Eugene both- and really think highly of both cities. I feel that Corvallis has the edge- its just so pretty, and like paradise,

[Larry Caldwell]

Brownsville
Harrisburg
Corvallis
Albany
Jefferson

Your best bet would be to find rural property close to the freeway. There aren't really any towns on the freeway between Albany and Eugene.

[pw72]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Brownsville
Harrisburg
Corvallis
Albany
Jefferson

Your best bet would be to find rural property close to the freeway. There aren't really any towns on the freeway between Albany and Eugene.

Don't forget scenic Coburg...the RV center of the universe!

[woodriverblue]

Finally someone listed Brownsville! I live in Coburg and yes, definitely it is RV heaven but here's why I don't think it would be good for seniors - Coburg has an active senior center but no doctors and closest clinic is a 20 minute drive to Springfield or Eugene. Shopping, ditto, and except for a mini mart a drive is necessary for groceries. We finally have a really good small animal vet in town and yes, the town is very charming with some regionally famous activities for the antique lover. But, really, Coburg is just a bedroom community for Eugene and is largely families with children, some older folks, and lots of farms. Property here is very, very expensive and there are NO rentals in Coburg. As far as Brownsville - that is a lovely and very charming town with lots of character, a wonderful local museum, beautiful restored and work-in-progress restoration Victorian homes, huge trees, a lovely enormous park along the river - atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. I believe there are physicians, dentists, and veterinarians within the town but again you're going to have to jump in the car and go some for groceries - but there's a WalMart superstore in Lebanon which is one exit north on I-5. There are LOTS of community activities in Lebanon, Brownsville and Corvallis (I love Corvallis and anyone who has read my postings knows I have a giant hate for Eugene for many valid reasons). Brownsville is only 4 miles east of I-5 and Lebanon is about the same, with easy access roads. Jefferson has a lot of farming and not so much in the way of services so you still have to drive to Albany or Salem. There are Costcos and WalMarts of both sorts in Albany, Salem and Eugene. For my money, and for total charm and a step back in time, I would put Brownsville at the top of the list to check first. Harrisburg is a farm town trying to grow up and their land use planning is a bit problematic so you have trailer parks going in next to family farms going in next to McMansions - they try, but it's still getting sorted out and STILL no decent grocery shopping in Harrisburg and so you have to go over the river (literally) and down the highway 20 minutes to Junction City.

[The Dish]

Thanks for all the feedback!

They do have Kaiser.