Thurston, Springfield, Oregon homes for sale

Thurston Real Estate

Located in the eastern part of Springfield on Oregon Route 126 is the beautiful and peaceful neighborhood of Thurston. The area was first settled in the early 19th century and is now the site of family-friendly attractions, quality public schools and prime real estate with a variety of housing options. Thurston is the gateway to the Cascade Mountains and the famous McKenzie River, which are only a short drive east. It’s also only a short drive to downtown Springfield and to neighboring Eugene, home of the University of Oregon.

Shopping and Dining

Thurston offers an array of grocery and general purpose retailers, with a large variety of additional shopping options available in west Springfield and Eugene. Restaurants in Thurston mix inspired comfort food with colorful scenery at local favorites, like Game Time Pizzeria and Fin’s Drive In. Fin’s Drive In takes patrons back in time to the 1950s with its homemade root beer, delicious burgers and classic rock n’ roll atmosphere.

Just beyond Thurston, Springfield’s Gateway Mall provides patrons a multitude of department stores and features two sets of movie theatres: Cinemark 17 for first-run flicks, and Movies 12, which shows previously released films at discounted prices. For a change of scenery, there’s the Fifth Street Public Market, Valley River Center mall and Oakway Center in Eugene. With so many great local-area shops just a stone’s throw away from Thurston and from one another, shoppers can check everything off their lists without taking all day.

Parks and Recreation

Thurston is a great destination for fun and relaxation. Parks, sports fields and water parks await, and the Cascade Mountains to the east beckon adventurers and beauty seekers. Thurston is justifiably proud of its outstanding water park, Splash! located at Lively Park. This summer hotspot (open year-round) will cool families down with its array of rides, slides and pools. After getting wet, you can enjoy a snack at the concessions booth or some relaxation time sitting out on the sundeck. When the cold and rainy Oregon winter hits, there is still plenty for the family to do indoors, like gaming at Tilt’s arcade in the Gateway Mall, indoor soccer at Kick City or gliding around the rink at Skate World.

Living

Thurston recreation, restaurants and shopping venues aren’t the only parts of the area to admire. Thurston’s real estate options and thriving business community make living attract a variety of homeseekers. Along with single-family homes, apartment space is also plentiful in Thurston. Thurston real estate is made even more desirable due to its ideal location only a short drive from Eugene and Springfield area schools, hospitals and parks, with the Cascades and the Oregon Coast in easy reach less than an hour to the east and west respectively.

Schools, Health and Transportation

The Springfield School District serves the Thurston area; Thurston High School is the largest public school in the area. Thurston High School enrolls over 1,500 students and in 2008 had a graduation rate of 80%. Thurston High School’s athletic programs have won many state and regional titles since the school opened in 1965, highlighted by the Colt’s 2009 5A Oregon State Baseball Championship. The Thurston area is easy driving distance from several medical facilities, including PeaceHealth’s Sacred Heart Medical Center, which has two locations. The new Riverbend hospital in Springfield, opened in 2008, is the largest hospital between Portland and San Francisco and features a 24-hour Level II trauma center and neonatal intensive care unit among other notable units. PeaceHealth also operates the University District facility in Eugene. Springfield is also home to McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, the oldest of the three facilities (opened in 1955) which treats over 66,000 outpatients per year. Getting around in Thurston is easy due to its convenient public transportation systems. Lane Transit District, which includes a bus rapid transit system called the Emerald Express, is a great way to get around the area. The Express Green Line connects downtown Springfield to Eugene and includes a stop at the University of Oregon. Thurston residents are also close to interstate and international travel, as I-5 and Eugene Airport are nearby.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (541) 349-2620 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.