A Town that is a Throwback to Better Times
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7/5/2019
I've lived here for about two years and so far we love it. We've experienced all of the seasons, and though we've had some snow, it hasn't even effected our driving. Spring is amazing, with a sweet network of trails all around this small city--wildlife abounds, and on most days we see wild turkeys, deer, and occasionally a bear. It is so quiet, without jets flying over and not much loud noise--fireworks are banned, so our dogs stay sane. In the fall, leading up to Christmas, in addition to some of the best weather, there are lots of community activities, any excuse to have a parade and deck the halls--Ashland is on it. In addition to this being a scenic gem, there's also so much going on by way of culture--from two stellar live theaters, to the Britt Fest in Jacksonville, to countless small live music venues, there's always something to do. Don't miss Dobra Teahouse. Some people talk about smoke from fires, and we find that's the perfect time for a coastal vacation to the beach, which is only a couple of hours away. And as far as fire is concerned, we feel pretty safe given that Ashland proactively burns all winter long, when it's wet and the smoke blows away from town. And while it's not the cheapest place to live, it's still much less than similar places in California, and the vibe here is pretty laid back by comparison, for a such a small, energetic city. People are very friendly, and it's easy to walk everywhere in town. And the co-op is marvelous, and is just one of lots of places with plenty of alternative choices. I also have to add that people here are very well educated, savvy, and conscious. One last thing we considered before coming here was earthquake risk--there are no faults nearby, and it's seismically quite stable.
Laurel | Ashland, OR