Moving to Eugene Oregon

Moving to Eugene, Oregon: The Complete Relocation Guide

Welcome

Hi, I'm Julie Sonam, a REALTOR® and Principal Broker serving Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, Florence and every other small town in between! If you're considering a move to Eugene or the Eugene area, this guide is designed to answer the questions I hear most often from people relocating here.

Why People Move Here

Eugene offers a unique balance of outdoor recreation, arts, higher education, healthcare, and a relaxed pace of life. Within an hour you can be hiking in the Cascades, exploring the Oregon Coast, or enjoying wineries in the Willamette Valley.

Neighborhoods

Every area has a different personality. South Eugene is known for mature trees and established homes. Friendly is community-oriented and walkable. Thurston offers a small town vibe, amazing views, and access to nature. Santa Clara is popular for conforming neighborhoods and flat walkable streets. Springfield provides excellent value and ongoing revitalization. Cottage Grove offers small-town charm that is hard to beat.

Cost of Living

Housing remains the largest expense. Property taxes are generally more stable than many states because Oregon limits annual assessed value increases. One of the benefits of owning property in Oregon is that, under Measure 50, a property's Maximum Assessed Value (MAV)—the value used for most property tax calculations—generally cannot increase by more than 3% per year. There are important exceptions, however. Taxes can increase by more than 3% if there is new construction, major remodeling, significant additions or renovations, certain property changes such as a subdivision or partition, or other exceptions allowed under Oregon law. Minor maintenance and smaller projects typically do not trigger a reassessment. Buying a home does not automatically reset the property taxes in Oregon. That's one of the biggest misconceptions I hear from buyers moving from California, Washington, or other states. The assessed value generally stays with the property after a sale. The 3% limit applies to the property's Maximum Assessed Value (MAV), not necessarily to the tax bill itself. Voter-approved bonds and local option levies can still cause the actual taxes owed to increase even when the MAV only grows by 3%.

Things to Do

Residents enjoy Spencer Butte, Mount Pisgah, Alton Baker Park, the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System, Island Park, Dorris Ranch, the Hult Center, Saturday Market, University of Oregon athletics, and a thriving local restaurant scene. There is also an extensive trail system for biking, mountain biking, running, walking and hiking.

My Advice

Don't choose a home based only on photos. Neighborhood feel, commute, nearby parks, schools, and daily lifestyle matter just as much as the house itself. I encourage buyers to explore several neighborhoods before making a decision.

Let's Connect

If you're thinking about relocating to Eugene or Springfield, I'd love to help you understand the differences between neighborhoods and find the right fit for your lifestyle—not just the right house.