Nestled amongst the trees in Oregon’s scenic Rogue Valley, and a mere 15 miles from the California border lies the cultural capital of Southern Oregon, Ashland. Living in Ashland, Oregon is, to put things simply, easy. You can walk or bike virtually anywhere, people wave to you as you pass them on the street, and locking your doors is more of a personal preference rather than a necessity (aka it’s safe). The whole city has a friendly, laid back, and small-town vibe to it and the sun shines for 200 days each year, making Ashland an ideal choice for anyone interested in settling down somewhere with a mild climate and four distinct seasons.
Welcome To The Cultural Captial Of Southern Oregon
The cultural amenities here rival the nation’s biggest cities and Ashland’s rich heritage of art, theater and music make it hard to run out of things to do. There are dozens of art galleries, the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival has its campus down on the plaza, live music is abundant year-round, and that is just the tip of the living in Ashland, Oregon iceberg.
A Small Town With A Big Personality
With just over 20,000 people calling Ashland home, you can really develop a sense of community here. And, though it may have small town vibes, living in Ashland, Oregon combines the perks of living in a college town, thanks to Southern Oregon University, with the amenities and attractions of living in a popular tourist destination.
Expression and Art
The community in Ashland values expression and art which attracts big-name musical talent, independent films, countless festivals of various sorts, and a thriving artisan community. The synergy created by Ashland’s culture, student population, and tourism has created an environment of sophisticated amenities that anyone can appreciate, but especially those who put down roots here. There is truly something in Ashland for everyone, with a quality of life that draws from many different aspects of the city — outdoor recreation, art, music, theatre, and dining.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) has for years been regarded as one of the country’s best theater companies, known for its elaborate reinventions of the bard’s plays, as well as interpretations of other notable playwrights, both contemporary and classical.
Fabulous Food
For foodie lovers, living in Ashland provides a banquet of culinary opportunities. There are over 100 restaurants within the city (very unusual for a city of this size), and the climate here creates the perfect conditions for growing crops. An abundance of quality restaurants and fresh ingredients has earned Ashland a strong reputation as a culinary destination. Not to mention the innumerable wineries and breweries that reside throughout the Rogue Valley.
Living In Ashland, Oregon Means Living In Nature
Nature abounds throughout Ashland, which is proud to maintain a well-developed network of parks and open spaces to play. There is nearly 1,000 acres of parkland and over 41 miles of trails to follow. The city itself is nestled in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges surrounded by forest, creeks, and a large lake.
Lithia Park, which wraps around the OSF campus and the plaza, is a mystical forest park that covers over 93-acres. Here you will find a crystal clear creek flowing along green-spaces spread with lush lawns and elegant landscaping, walking paths, tennis courts, playgrounds, duck ponds, a reservoir you can swim in, a Japanese Garden, and picnic areas. One can simply stroll through the park into downtown Ashland where you will find dozens of boutique shops, restaurants, galleries, and other lovely things to explore.
Ashland’s Residents Take outdoor Recreation Seriously
Living in Ashland, Oregon you will quickly notice that outdoor activities are a major pastime and that residents take health and wellness seriously. The majority of the population are outdoor recreationists that enjoy trail running, hiking and mountain biking, skiing (Mt. Ashland Ski Area is just 25 minutes away), and water sports (among innumerable other outdoor activities). In Ashland, locals have year-round access to the types of outdoor activities and adventures that require significant travel in other parts of the U.S.
Top Notch Education
Besides a thriving culinary and arts culture and plenty of outdoor activities, living in Ashland, Oregon is a smart choice for those looking to start a family. The website Niche—which ranks towns based on qualities such as housing, education, family friendliness, and diversity—placed Ashland at #6 in Oregon for education. Meanwhile, Ashland High School has repeatedly earned the silver-medal designation from US News and World Report, which ranked AHS in the country’s top-10 percent of high schools.
Come See What Living In Ashland, Oregon is All About!
For those looking for a combination of natural beauty, culture, and quality of life living in Ashland, Oregon may just be the perfect recipe. We hope you will come to visit us someday soon!
Sustainable Homes For Sale In Ashland, Oregon
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KDA Homes — Building Sustainable Communities in Southern Oregon
We are a residential development and building company focused primarily in the Ashland, Talent, and Medford markets of Southern Oregon. Our homes are built under the leadership of our partner Dave DeCarlow, a third-generation local builder who prides himself in quality and customer satisfaction. We use high industry standards, quality materials, and finishes in every home. If you’re considering Ashland as your new home, we would love to chat with you to see if a KDA Home might be your new forever home.
Looking for more information about living in Ashland, Oregon? Check out some of our other blog posts below:
- Things To Do In Ashland Oregon
- The Best Ashland, Oregon Mountain Biking Trails
- 3 Activity-Oriented Ashland, Oregon Parks
- The Best Of Ashland, Oregon Hiking Trails
- 5 Things To Look Forward To In Ashland Once Quarantine Is Over
