Eugene - Pictures and Thoughts (Portland, Springfield: apartment, for rent, health insurance)

[movingback??]

My husband used to live in Eugene and really wants to move back. We curently live in Ca. My husband works in concrete and would like to go back into drywall. Does anyone know how much drywallers get paid and is there alot of work in construction

[wohelo]

Well, I returned to my old neighborhood, Ferry Street Bridge, and it is slowly turning into a slum. The street I lived on has pot holes so big that ducks are swimming in them. My neighbor was robbed and continues to have problems with the neighbors pit bulls. The homes are all listed over 250000 and guess what no one is buying there. The new hot neighborhood is SW hills because they don't have to hear the freeway noise. It is sad to see garbage in the park. Sorry to be so glooming, but I am heart broken... I loved living in Eugene. Please take the time to rent, find a good realtor who knows the areas, interview locals for the inside scoop on school, trends in neighborhoods and health concerns of SAD and grass/pollen allergy come spring.
Time to pack up a head out of the WV. \\\\\\

[Kaytee_Killa]

eugene
rocks
my
milk
carton
i
miss
eugene
im
moving
there
soon
again
word.

[neuby]

We will be relocating to Eugene from Greenville, SC, in early March and need some help in figuring out which is the best area to live and raise a family. We have 2 small children and one is in elementary school so will need an area that is safe, kid friendly and has great schools. We are wanting a 3/2 house in the 250,ooo price range. We do not mind living outside of Eugene. Also, what is the shopping like there? I've read through the forums and didn't see anyone mention anything about that. I've never been to Oregon so this will be a big move for us. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated! : )

[neuby]

Can anyone recommend a good realtor in the Eugene/Springfirld area?

[DBNN]

Springfield- , Sister city across the river. Population about 50,000

Coburg- pop 1000. Located 5 miles north of Eugene by freeway or back roads.

Veneta-pop - 3,000. Veneta has Church's, restaurants, doctors, library, grocery, winery, elementary-High school, and even Dairy Queen.
host to the famous annual Oregon county Fair.

Junction City- pop 8,000 big enough for a McDonald's, motels, restaurants, tree line streets with mostly older homes, antique shops, farming, two huge mothome factories, car dealerships. And has the Scandinavian festival annually. crafts, arts, food and other activities.

Cottage Grove - pop about 9,000 located 20 miles South of Eugene on the I-5 or by several back roads. Motels. an antique main street where the annual Bohemia mining days is held, several grocery stores, Oregon Capital of covered bridges., lots of older homes, many new homes, lots of Church's, antique stores, a golf course and hotel/ resort. Bi-mart and I "think" it has a Walmart now.

Corvallis - pop 49,000
45 miles from Eugene

Philomath -pop about 4000

Smaller Nearby Towns

Marcola- 15 miles Northwest of Springfield
Drain- pop 1000 southwest of Cottage Grove. Very rural town.
Lorane lots of wineries and a general store and restaurant. School k-12.
Creswell - pop 3000 Between Eugene and Cottage Grove off the I-5.
Lebanon 13,000 half hour north of Eugene
Harrisburg 10 minutes north of Junction City about 3000 people.

Good Luck on your move!!!

[neuby]

From everything I've read, Eugene sounds alot like the atmosphere in Boulder, Co. Am I right?

[JohnnyDrako]

I spent 15 years knowing Eugene intimately. All of Des' gushing on this forum is not misplaced. The town is friendly and liberal and, as a lifelong vegetarian, have never found a place more compatible for me. I could go on for many pages about all the wonderfulness of Eugene and the surrounding region. HOWEVER ... The one, glaring fatal flaw of western Oregon is the the gray sky. I am talking about eight months of virtually no direct sunlight. Do not underestimate the power of the gloom on your psyche! (See my post here for more info: http://www.city-data.com/forum/orego...ften-rain.html)


PDX said

Especially during the summer when there are no college students. Best way I could describe Eugene in the summer is a vortex of melancholiness.... hard to explain, but that is how it feels.

Wow! I feel the opposite. Summer (July through October) is GLORIOUS in Eugene. Those days of missing college students just make things more peaceful. And being on a tranquil bike path (walking or biking!) along the river during a bright and warm summer's day ... nothing can beat it. Makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it!


PDX said:

My favorite restaurant in Eugene is... The Glenwood.

Yes, The Glenwood is good eatin'. For a true Eugene experience, try the Keystone Cafe on 5th. Tofu scramble with yeast gravy and homemade rye toast. Washed down with some organic coffee. Or try the Tofu Tia wrap at Saturday Market.


neuby -

need some help in figuring out which is the best area to live and raise a family.

The University neighborhood and Southeast Eugene are your best bets. I have been out of touch with the housing market there as of late so I don't know if this is in your price range. But you be blown away by the level of "good citizenry" of the folks in these neighborhoods. This area is, in my opinion, the essence of what makes Eugene what it is: progressive. Also, this is the core area where you will find Sundance Natural Foods and Market Of Choice.


neuby -

From everything I've read, Eugene sounds alot like the atmosphere in Boulder, Co. Am I right?

The Register-Guard newspaper ran an article a few years ago comparing the two towns. Call the library there and ask for them to send you a copy. Mostly, it said that Boulder has suceeded in some areas where Eugene has failed, namely the downtown pedestrian mall. It flourishes in Boulder and in Eugene it has now been bulldozed to bring auto traffic back because no one came to the ped. mall other than the ubiquitous derelicts. Boulder also costs a heck of lot more to live in.

Here's one thing to know about Lane County: it has more non-profit organizations per capita than any other U.S. county. This is great, of course, because it shows the level of compassion in the community. But it also means you should not be expected to see a lot of homeless people and poverty in Eugene.


Although I no longer live in Eugene, it is a place I know well. Let me know if I can provide any further info.

[nature mama]

i've got myself a head full of clean dreads too.haha.hey man this post is good.im looking into eugene because after im done travelling this summer more than likely thats where i'll end up.what about the job situation?like for people that dont have a degree or any skills.i've just worked the random warehouse and resturaunt jobs here in VA.im worried about not being able to get a job.
thanks

[Kathleenh54]

We used the John L. Scott Real Estate Agency when moving to Ashland, Oregon from SoCal. They were really, really good.

My daughter has mentioned the University of Oregon as a possibility for the future but after reading about the high crime near the college, I'm concerned. Who is committing all these crimes? Was the area particularly hard hit by the loss of timber-related jobs?