Oregon boasts an excellent school system with a high level of local control, financed mainly through property taxes. Schools are plentiful through high school, including a few parochial schools. The Rogue Community College is a two-year vocational institution located in Grants Pass and in Medford. Southern Oregon University in Ashland functions as a regional liberal arts college and is part of the Oregon State Division of Higher Education. Recreational activities vary from camping at Crater Lake National Park and winter skiing at Mt. Ashland to salmon fishing off the southern Oregon coast, all within two hours driving time from Medford.
Mountain lakes offer summer water skiing, fishing, and camping.
Fishing throughout the area is excellent, with the mountain lakes open year round. Excellent hunting for both deer and elk is within one hour's driving time from Medford. Medford has the usual number of golf courses, tennis courts, etc. However, out of the ordinary, are the Peter Britt Music Festival in August and the Shakespearean Festival all summer in Ashland. Several fine dining establishments are available, along with the usual number of hamburger joints, pizzerias, etc.