Roseburg???? (Portland, Eugene, Medford: home, neighborhood, elementary school)

[excelent3]

I am planning on relocating to Oregon next year, and have intensely read the posts on this forum. I am 54,have lived in Madison, Wi for most of my life, a great place, comparable to Portland in many ways. I am drawn to south Oregon, primarily because of the climate being warmer and less rain. I have read all the posts regarding Grants Pass, Medford, Klamath Falls, Bend. I am a huge outdoor person, and the entire state has it's offerings, and on the map Roseburg seems to be situated ideally for access to the coast, mountains. Ashland seems appealing because of it's cultural offerings and college life. I do not seem to hear much commentary regarding Roseburg. Could anyone please offer info regarding the feel of this town, blue collar, liberal, conservative, weather, shopping, housing costs, etc.



I will be flying in to Portland on October 3rd and staying throught the 10th to visit towns from Corvallis and south to explore the possibilities.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Thanks in advance

[Larry Caldwell]

Very blue collar, very conservative, mediterranean climate, housing costs about 2/3 of Corvallis. I don't shop, so can't help you there.

[excelent3]

Very blue collar? What do the people of Roseburg do to support themselves? Are there a few large companies in Roseburg ? I have looked at the housing values there and yes, they seem reasonable. Does downtown Roseburg have historic district. What is the nightlife like there? Things to do? Any nice parks in Roseburg? Thanks for your reply, but I hoping to more of a feel of what this town is like...

[Larry Caldwell]

Roseburg's biggest industry is retirement. About a quarter of the population lives on social security, pensions and savings. They retire here for the climate, small town feel, and the regional VA hospital in town. Timber still provides a lot of jobs. Some local mills have been limping along on the remnants of private timber and imported logs from Canada and Siberia. With the slide in the dollar, and the drop in housing starts, that is coming to an end. Expect mill closures next year. Roseburg has a couple historic districts, one downtown and one in a working class neighborhood near the rail switch yard, which is moving out of town (the switch yard, not the historic district).

I don't know of any night life. Recreation in Roseburg is outdoors oriented. They are having a hunter's breakfast at a local elementary school starting at 4AM Saturday, the 29th. I guess that's night life. It's before dawn, anyway. Bring your fishing pole. There are plenty of hatchery chinook in the main Umpqua.

Roseburg has Stewart Park, about a full section in the middle of town, which hosts free concerts in the summer. They share a 9 hole municipal golf course with another 9 holes on the VA grounds. I don't golf, but it's popular among the elderly.

[seashelly]

When I hear Roseburg, I think of lumber (that giant lumbermill south of town).

[excelent3]

Thanks for your input, so what i gather is that the demographics as far as populace is that Roseburg is predominantly baby boomers looking to kick back and enjoy the good life in a "Mediteranean" climate. From what I can see according to various online Roseburg sites the weather is as good as it gets for Oregon. I have to decide after living in a capital city and U town if I wiil be happy living in a town that does not have these offerings. I am very much drawn to the location and proximity to so many outdoor opportunities and the shear majestic beauty of the area. If want to do the "diversity" experience I can always drive to it. I will definitely be visiting Roseburg when on my "Oregon Tour" in a couple weeks. I have alloted 8 days to explore and investigate. So far, it is number one on my list. It meets most of my criteria for optimal climate, location, and adventure.

[JMarks]

Hey Exelent3,

Today is the 10th, so I guess you are on your way home by now.

I am in the same situation as you...early fifties and looking for a new place to live. I love the outdoors and am an advid horsebackrider (I have two horses that will be coming with me).

Please let us know how your trip went. My daughter and I are flying into Portland Nov. 2 and traveling South by car from there. Hopefully I didn't make a mistake by visiting in the Fall.

Good luck,

Janet

[SweeterSix]

It will depend, usually rainfall at this time of year. Sometimes snow depending on which area you go.
Roseburg is nice, it is located not real far from the coast, mountains, or diamond lake. During the summer it is sunny usually and nice, winter you can bet on snow or rain.
It has a historic downtown area, and many different shops and mall areas, you have a huge movie complex, and so many different eateries you can try something new all the time. It has nice parks, people are friendly usually and a LOWES! ( sorry I love Lowes.. had to throw that in)
There is boating, hunting, fishing, shopping, historic places and on I5 so you can get to medford or Eugene with ease...

Originally Posted by JMarks

Hey Exelent3,

Today is the 10th, so I guess you are on your way home by now.

I am in the same situation as you...early fifties and looking for a new place to live. I love the outdoors and am an advid horsebackrider (I have two horses that will be coming with me).

Please let us know how your trip went. My daughter and I are flying into Portland Nov. 2 and traveling South by car from there. Hopefully I didn't make a mistake by visiting in the Fall.

Good luck,

Janet

[elcapitan]

If you enjoy the qualities that Madison has, but you're sure you want to live in Oregon, than I would definitely pick Eugene or Portland over Roseburg. Probably more in line with your tastes.

[Gardner37]

Hope you had a worthwhile trip!

Ashland is a great place worth looking into also Jacksonville just outside of Medford is a neat little historic town with an exceptional music festival each year. To be honest Eugene doesn't do much for me. I grew up in the suburbs of LA and for some reason Eugene feels that same sort of sprawly way to me. Liberal like Portland but totally unurban in mood.

My partner and I live in Roseburg. Moved from NC two years ago. We love it here. Roseburg is an odd bird in that it is both conservative and yet liberal at the same time. There is a thriving Unitarian church here and one shouldn't exist in a community of this size. Likewise, there is a great arts center and an exceptional natural & cultural history museum (one of the best in the state). The community is very supportive. All is all there is more going for this area then you would expect for its size.