Florence anyone?

[jannyk]

We have just completed purchase of a small lot in Florence. The idea is to park our rv there for 3-4 months of the year, the rest of the year will be split between Vancouver Island and Baja. We are finally leaving the SF Bay Area after 30+ years and it's very, very scary.

We have been overnighting here for a few years on our way back and forth, and found it pleasant,convenient (and cheap). It's also beautiful, surrounded by the River, Lakes, Ocean and National Forest - we can hike 'til we drop! It has several good coffee places, a decent Chinese restaurant(my husband's criteria) and a 'Natural/ Organic' pet food store - we are all set!

We have now been here for two weeks, at Hecate RV Park, while we close on the lot. We were encouraged to see a small group of 'Universal Healthcare Proponents', picketing the corners of 126/101 this past two Saturdays, but discouraged, when mid last week, a small Anti-Choice group were doing he same thing. What are we in for?

Anyone on DU in, or from, the area? Moral support?

[Bluenorthwest]

1. We are not far away

In Eugene. We like Florence and ponder living there. You are part of the 4th District served by Peter DeFazio, a good guy and a progressive who gets elected with ease by your neighbors. This is how Lane County voted in Nov. 08:

Obama 62.3% 114,037

McCain 34.9% 63,835

Other 2.8% 5,038

So the numbers are with us!
If you feel the need for more progressive events, Eugene has an endless supply, as well as organic everything. Excellent food available to us here in Lane County! A visit to Eugene on a Saturday for Saturday Market is probably worth it, for the fun and the food stuffs and other locally made products. Florence has her own weekend market in Oldtown on Sat and Sunday.
If you have any questions at all, send me a pm anytime. I've lived here for 5 years now from SoCal, and I know people who know all the right answers!
And welcome to Lane County!

[L. Coyote]

2. When you visit Yachats, stop at Green Salmon for the great Java and culture

And, the full moon is a good time to fish the Yachats River.
Only a few tides each month are high enough for salmon to run.
The bay shore is a great place to fish too, as they pile up.
Watch for the eagles doing the same.

On edit, Mushroom Days coming up there too.
Are the chantrelles up?

[eagertolearn]

3. Anything in Oregon is better than Ca. We moved to Eastern Oregon

from Ca. 16 years ago and consider ourselves Oregonians now. We live in a very consevative part of the state but the beauty of the mountains and easy access to outdoor activities is worth it. We will probably retire someplace less conservative though like Hood River where there is still sunshine and also easy access to the west side and east side. You may need to seek out the sun every once in a while. You'll find plenty of cultural events in Eugene and Portland.

[sandnsea]

4. I'm in Florence!

The anti-choice group was a rare occurence. Not to worry. PM me and I'll give you the scoop.

[jannyk]

5. We're gonna be living on 'Easy Street'!! No kidding...

...that's our new address - I don't know whether to smile or wince every time I have to say it.

So, we are on our way back to the Bay Area (Crescent City today). We finished all the paperwork on the tiny lot, and just have to wait for the title to be recorded. We also bought a gently used, 5 yr old 5th wheel to put on the lot permanently - it was such a steal, and is so much bigger (at 40ft) than our teeny Toyota Winnebago(19ft)that we use for traveling. We'll be back in early Nov to set it all up.

We are so excited, having done even more exploring - Yachats is especially beautiful and we can go listen to cool live music at the Landmark on weekends. We went out to the South Jetty yesterday - the beaches are stunning and, apart from a few die hard surfers, deserted for miles. And nobody seems to mind dogs on the beach - my blind Spaniel was in heaven.

Thanks all for convincing us we did the right thing - was a little worried when the Pro-Lifers gathered, and our realtors office was stuffed with so many flags and bald eagles - we were sure he was one of 'them'.

One of big concerns was High Speed Internet service - but we can receive OregonFast at our location - 5+MB beamed through the airwaves - wow - who'd of thunk it?

And we've 'discovered' our favorite restaurant, the 'Waterfront Depot' - owned and operated by a really cool lady from San Francisco. We went there on Monday night thinking it would be empty and we had to wait for a table - it rocks! Some other places are having a really tough time and look like they may not survive the winter, but that's happening a lot in the Bay Area too.

Yes, Florence has a very high ratio of retirees, but as much as we won't admit it (or act like it) we are retirees (albeit early ones) too. Thinking long-term, it looks like a great place to age well. We can't wait to return.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

6. Welcome to Oregon!

I hope you love it here.

And dogs on the beaches is a venerable Oregon tradition. You couldn't find one beach that doesn't have dozens of dogs playing.

[sandnsea]

8. Hi Neighbor!

I am just ten blocks away! Seriously, PM me and we can meet for coffee if you want, or get info on anything you need.

[LWolf]

7. My mom used to be in Florence,

but she's east of the Cascades now. I haven't been there since she moved, but I enjoyed the time I spent there awhile back.

I don't really know what it's like politically, but you should get lots of info from Sandnsea.