Moving to Medford Oregon, where to live? (Ashland, Eagle Point: equity, estate)

[milk]

We might be transferring to Medford Oregon. We have lived in Orange County California for over 12 years. I don't know anything about Medford. We have two small children and we are looking to live in a nice, safe family neighborhood with great schools. I've heard Ashland is nice but when I looked at their housing prices I couldn't believe how expensive they were.

[freedom]

Hi Milk,

Look in the Eagle Point area, there are some great buys right now, and it is a really neat city, its about 8 miles north of Medford on Hwy 62.
10 mins. from Costco and super store alley.
Pop. 7000, new schools, low crime etc....
Its called the gateway to the lakes.

freedom

[lantzn]

My wife and I plan on moving from Olympia, WA to Medford in a couple of years. I've been vacationing in the area for the past 5 years at different times of the year to see what we like. Eagle Point is top on my list.

By the way what job is transferring you?

[Steve97415]

Eagle Point has lower home prices as you would expect in an area with a lower-income, less educated citizenry. But if good schools are a priority, then Eagle Point isn't it. The Eagle Point district has had a number of leadership issues and many complain that a burgeoning migrant population there is siphoning resources from mainstream education. The school rating site greatschools.net gives Eagle Point High School a rating of 4 out of 10 (Ashland High, for purposes of comparison, gets a 9).
If you have the "Jefferson Complex" -- an isolationist view of responsibility, a sour distrust of government, and a sharp resentment against collecting public revenue for enhancing the public good, you'll find plenty of peers in Eagle Point.
There's a reason why homes are more expensive in great communities: your home isn't just your home. You're buying a slice of the public infrastructure: the roads, the parks, the public schools, the libraries, the recreation programs, etc. Within the State of Jefferson, the quality of that "slice of public life" varies widely. If you want something that is equal to what you would get in the Midwest of East, it will cost you.

The notion that "affordable housing" is whatever is cheapest to get your foot in the door is also rather naive. A good bargain in housing is one that holds its value over the long term and builds equity as the years go by. It should also be a home that is not difficult to sell in a slow market. The fact that Ashland prices are bucking national trends and are currently on the rise while most other State of Jefferson communities are falling should be seen as a positive sign of Ashland's good value as a desirable community. Yes, there are areas that are cheaper -- far cheaper -- but you'll get what you pay for.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

Eagle Point has lower home prices as you would expect in an area with a lower-income, less educated citizenry. But if good schools are a priority, then Eagle Point isn't it. The Eagle Point district has had a number of leadership issues and many complain that a burgeoning migrant population there is siphoning resources from mainstream education. The school rating site greatschools.net gives Eagle Point High School a rating of 4 out of 10 (Ashland High, for purposes of comparison, gets a 9).
If you have the "Jefferson Complex" -- an isolationist view of responsibility, a sour distrust of government, and a sharp resentment against collecting public revenue for enhancing the public good, you'll find plenty of peers in Eagle Point.
There's a reason why homes are more expensive in great communities: your home isn't just your home. You're buying a slice of the public infrastructure: the roads, the parks, the public schools, the libraries, the recreation programs, etc. Within the State of Jefferson, the quality of that "slice of public life" varies widely. If you want something that is equal to what you would get in the Midwest of East, it will cost you.

Steve? Where have you been?

Have you ever been to Eagle Point? They have a great community, a new City library, Jr. High and Highschool, an awesome golf course, beautiful homes. The reason the prices have fallen, is supply and demand. The supply is very large for new homes. Eagle point is the second fastest growing city in Oregon. They doubled their population from 3,500 to 7,000 in 10 yrs. (phenominal) it is perfectly located for outdoor activities, hobby farms, hunting and fishing, boating, hiking, camping... tons of recreation.

The notion that "affordable housing" is whatever is cheapest to get your foot in the door is also rather naive. A good bargain in housing is one that holds its value over the long term and builds equity as the years go by. It should also be a home that is not difficult to sell in a slow market. The fact that Ashland prices are bucking national trends and are currently on the rise while most other State of Jefferson communities are falling should be seen as a positive sign of Ashland's good value as a desirable community. Yes, there are areas that are cheaper -- far cheaper -- but you'll get what you pay for.

Ashland just got tagged as one of the worst clean water violators in the state.
26 violations. Oooops.
Their prices are falling, just like everywhere else. How often do you make it over to the valley here?
Their schools got that rating because of classroom size... they are closing schools because of neg. population growth. The breeders aren't performing.
The only thing keeping that town afloat is the college and the Shakespeare festival. Without tourism to their beautiful setting, it's policies would have bankrupted it years ago.
Many are moving to Medford and Grants pass to get away from the socialist, godless, anti American mindset.
Our neighbors are one of the many abandoning that town. They took a $150,000 loss on their house just to get out of there.

freedom

[Steve97415]

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

Old data, the first quarter 2008 dropped to $400k, second quarter may be higher due to a pending sale on a $9 million dollar estate. The numbers are wacky in Ashland, due to the ultra expensive homes scattered about. They throw off the averages from time to time.

freedom

[steffan]

^ its now 2008 and a very different story