Eugene/Springfield - The Bad News (Portland, Corvallis: loans, employment, neighborhoods)

[LyzonLightheart]

I would not move to Eugene. Most of the elected officials in Eugene, Oregon are very corrupt and heavily influence the Lane County Elections officials to keep people that don't fit their profile off of the election ballots (i. e. anything other than affluent white). The State of Oregon is investigating currently investigating election fraud in Eugene.

The current elected officials and the University of Oregon also are very anti-veteran, especially disabled veterans. The city of Eugene for the most part absolutely refuses to let any American Veteran, Arab American, African American organizations be included in parades and job fairs. The University of Oregon and most of the city of Eugene also does not recognize the national holiday, Veteran's Day.

In my humble opinion, I also believe that the police in Eugene are very corrupt too. Auto Theft, Buglaries, Drugs, and Gang activity is alarmingly higher than most big cities in the US. By the time anyone calls for the police, the need for them has usually long past if they even show up at all, an average of 5 to 11 hours for 911 calls is not uncommon. The City of Eugene does very little other than lip service to keep criminals in jail. It is not uncommon for people who are arrested to be let back out on the street for crimes like car theft 3 hours later only to get arrested for car theft again in the same day. The City of Eugene, Lane County, and senior State of Oregon officials are pushing to give themselves a 54% raise with no accountability, while they claim there isn't enough money for jail beds or to help senior citizens, the disabled, the homeless, and keep animal shelters open. Furthermore, the City of Eugene does everything but invite adult book stores and strip clubs on major city streets. In addition, most employers in Eugene will find reasons not to employ you if you are disabled. I know this first hand as a disabled veteran.

However, all is not lost in Eugene or Lane County, if you live outside the major city limits, the Lane County Sheriff's department is doing an outstanding job with the extremely limited resources it gets allocated to it. The K thru 12 educational system for the most part is very good in Eugene. Lane Community College is one of the best in the entire country too. However, the University of Oregon is more concerned about their sports teams than they are standards of education for their students. Also, the general population of Eugene is polite and unbiased. I would also stay far away from slum lords like Umbrella Properties.

The situation in Springfield is much better than that of Eugene, the City of Springfield is proactive and not corrupt in trying to stop crime and cleaning up run down areas of Springfield. Springfield is also trying to get rid of the adult book stores and strip clubs allowed within the city limits by previous administrations. Their worst area is car theft around Gateway Mall. I would put any valuables in your trunk site unseen if you happen to go there.

There are lots of churches throughout Eugene and Springfield for Christians like myself. But, most of Eugene and parts of Springfield is very liberal.

I am a disabled US Navy Veteran, Electronics Engineer, Computer Programmer, and have lived in the Eugene area for 8 years. I have attended both LCC and U of O, and stay in Eugene so that I can live close to my kids that live with my adulterous exwife.

[haggardhouseelf]

What's this guy's deal? He's like flooding the board with this same exact post. Eh?

[northwestgirlie]

Okay, I read the post long and hard from the person who is also from Seattle like myself and moved to Eugene 15 years ago.
I am a Seattle native and very tired of Seattle, miserable here actually. I live with BiPolar Disorder II and I choose to work and function the best that I can and receive no help from the state. I need to downsize the stress in my life so I am choosing Eugene. I don't mind the step down in pay, etc. because I want less stress in my life.
I still find that Seattle does NOT compensate a higher cost of living with some wage markets. Eugene is still more affordable for cost of living in balance with what a person makes. I have done much research here.
It takes FOREVER to get assistance in Seattle if you honestly need it.
It really is how you look at a place, it is attitude. Seattle has its problems and Eugene has its problems.
It is up to the individual person to decide what problems they can accept and which they cannot accept.
You can choose to move to a city and give it your best talents or write it off. I choose to move there and be industrious about my talents to give despite my own disability.
Point is-IT IS ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE AND CHOICE AND PERSPECTIVE.
New scenery for me allows a better attitude and new perspective.
People are people wherever you go, customs and social 'norms' change.

[thomasw98]

Originally Posted by LyzonLightheart

I am a disabled US Navy Veteran, Electronics Engineer, Computer Programmer, and have lived in the Eugene area for 8 years. I have attended both LCC and U of O, and stay in Eugene so that I can live close to my kids that live with my adulterous exwife.

...Ignore.

[sharonaly]

Elected officials corrupt and being investigated? Veterans discriminated against? Not allowed in city parades? Do you mean the Celebration Parade? Because I have definitely seen Veterans there.

5 to 11 hour response time for 911 common? Easily proven untrue by going to city dispatch logs online.

Again, please provide some sort of proof of your claims.

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by tiffela74

well, i like it cuz its got a couple great malls, and several starbucks, plus my all time fav. resturant (applebys) but i DONT like it cuz I get thoughorly lost each and everytime I go there. Not to mention, now that Im getting older (32) I dont like all the skinny little college girls in their sports bras and spandex shorts that are everywhere there. cuz im fat and old now, and i dont want to be reminded of what i once was. lol - I dont like it cuz its the home of the Ducks and Im a Beaver fanatic, but if its gonna come down to the Ducks or some outta staters, GO DUCKS lol. I dont like it cuz you cant get fresh crab there, thats why i live at the beach. But mostly, i dont like it cuz it confuses me. One minute Im on the freeway, then the beltline, then a highway, then the beltline, then the freeway aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwww!!!!!!! last time i got lost there, just trying to turn the heck around, it took me almost 45 minutes to get turned back the right way. yipes!!
Tiffany

Tiff your posts crack me up sometimes. Or should I say "quack" me up, as I'm a Eugenian (transplant - not native, but it's my adopted home).

I'm 32, you know, and I'm still hot (according to my husband) so what's your excuse lady? Just kidding with you... 32 is so not old. You just have to sleep and exercise more and cut out some bad stuff from your diet is all.

Anyway - it took me like 2 years to figure out how to drive here. Seriously. I can get anywhere on a bike and not get lost, but in a car well, that's a whole 'nother thing. The highways/roads/whatever change names and veer this way and that way and it's the craziest I've ever seen and I've lived and been in more than a few places.

And oh my... the whole "O" thing on everybody's car.... WOW! I have never seen anything like Duck Fever!! I have for years been wanting to put "A, E, I,_, U and sometimes Y" on the back of my car... it's like "O" is the only vowel that matters in this town. I thought I'd do my part to remind people that there are 4 and sometimes 5 other vowels which deserve our attention as well. Since we're transplants, and we're not into sports really at all, it took us a long time to understand what the "duck" was going on!

I envy anyone who lives at the beach. That's our dream for retirement, my husband and I... but for now we must live where the job is at - so we're here. You, Tiff, are so lucky!!

[Leisesturm]

I just have to ask: why is it that 'negative' equals 'true' or 'honest' and 'positive' equals 'irrelevant' or 'unimportant'? Whenever someone posts a negative point of view they defend it on the grounds that it is painting a more honest picture. I beg to differ. I have not found a downside to going forward on faith in the positive. Common sense will equip you to handle the inevitable (and highly individual) negatives. Anti-theft devices? I haven't seen any since I have been in Oregon. Don't want your car stolen? Don't buy a 2007 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. An oversimplification to make a point. Didn't know you couldn't pump your own gas? I didn't either. Now I do. No ticket, no jail time, no big deal. I'm not picking on either the o.p. or anyone who has anything negative to say about Eugene or any other part Oregon. Just wondering why people want to dwell on the negative. It is true, you know, if you look for trouble... ...

H

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

I just have to ask: why is it that 'negative' equals 'true' or 'honest' and 'positive' equals 'irrelevant' or 'unimportant'?...

I think when on the internet, people are quicker to be negative because in their daily lives most find themselves in situations where they must put on a happy face and play nice to get through the day.

Being online, for many people, is sort of an outlet place. It's a release where they can truly let their hair down and vent, because they aren't worried about offending anyone or losing their job or anything by voicing their opinions. It's this faceless, impersonal place where you can gripe without worry? Maybe?

[Steve Miller]

wow woodriverblue... I'm sure Washington will be glad to have you back... I have friends and family in Washington (Seattle area), and one was in law enforcement for awhile. I could cut and paste much of what you said into a diatribe concerning the populated areas of Washington. Good luck and be sure to wave as you cross the river…

[transientemotion]

I don't have anything really that negative to say about Eugene. I moved out here from the real smog, crime, traffic, buildings, etc. This is a paradise area if you are not a hermit.

I can say I would rather live in the woods to a more rural area but Eugene is still a great city. How can you go wrong in a city that thrives on community?

Nate