Olive Plaza sits right on Olive Street in Eugene, Oregon, and you'll find 150 one-bedroom apartments there, all set up for seniors who want to stay active and independent, and rent is based on income, usually about 30% of what folks make each month, since this place runs under HUD Section 8 rules for people aged 62 or older, and it's been recently renovated with new windows, exterior cladding, a rooftop terrace, and fresh systems throughout the building, which has 12 stories with elevators serving every floor. Residents have their own kitchens with stoves, fridges, roomy cabinets, and energy-efficient appliances, plus each apartment has an emergency call system and bathrooms come with safety handles for tubs and showers, and there's at least one unit that's accessible for people with mobility needs. It's all non-smoking for safety, and the building includes a well-stocked resident grocery store, a library filled with books, DVDs, audio books, and reading tables, plus a self-service laundry with change machines and vending for supplies so you don't have to venture out if you don't want.
The facility has a Resident Services Coordinator who helps folks connect with health and community services, and volunteer opportunities are everywhere, whether stocking shelves in the grocery store, joining the activity committee, working with the garden club, or greeting newcomers, and you can join the resident council if you want a say in how things are run. Community living gets a boost from a full calendar of on-site activities, from Wii and bingo in the community room to the Writers and Philosophy Groups, a Book Club, spiritual talks, Friday Game Night, Saturday Movie Night, and a Knitting Group, not to mention card games, puzzles, outings, and day trips scheduled by staff. There are regular exercise classes twice a week, including Strength and Balance and Tai Chi, all led by outside contractors, with a focus on helping people stay physically active and steady on their feet.
Everyone says the staff is friendly, helpful, and kind, welcoming both new arrivals and visitors, and the service runs from apartment help to meal programs, so friends and relatives can come along for a meal in the dining area, and there's a beauty and barber shop open three days a week for haircuts and grooming. Outside, the property covers 3.5 acres and includes flower and vegetable gardens, sitting spots in the sun or shade, and a rooftop garden for residents to relax or grow herbs and plants in their own spring garden spaces. Safety systems like fire alarms and smoke detectors are in place, and supporting seniors' independence sits at the center of how the place runs.
Living here means being part of a community that's designed around affordable living with dignity, friendship, and good food, with community rooms, a kitchen for group meals, a shuttle bus, and common spaces for parties or quieter times, and you can request a tour or info online any time, as they encourage connection with senior living advisors for guidance. Olive Plaza has earned awards like Best of Senior Living, and it serves a mix of independent seniors and those who benefit from assisted living or memory care services, plus there are programs for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, so people from different backgrounds all find a welcoming spot here. The focus remains on supporting each resident's well-being, keeping everyone safe, and making it easy for folks to stay busy, social, and healthy as they want, and that's really what you see reflected in day-to-day life at Olive Plaza.
