From Arkansas and looking to move to Oregon (Portland, Eugene: crime rate, neighborhoods)

[northwest_bound]

I am looking to relocate from Arkansas to Oregon. I am considering Eugene, OR. I am looking for a community that is responsive to alternate types of healthcare. Of course I hear that most of Oregon is. Which areas or neighborhoods in Eugene are good places to live and have less crime? Are there very many farmer's markets in the area? Is this a dog friendly town with people walking their dogs often? How are the food stores and restuarants in the area? What do you like most about Eugene?

[Connie J Lewis]

Eugene is a beautiful city with lots of diversity, culture, and recreation. I would avoid the campus area, Whitaker neighborhood, Glenwood, and some of those types of areas, but Santa Clara is nice. The South Hills are very nice, and I especially like the areas outlying Eugene. Less traffic, but close. You may wish to look into areas out around Fern Ridge, or even outlying areas of Springfield have much to offer.

Dog parks - yes. Alternative healthcare - yes! Farmer's markets - yes! It's not nearly as dog friendly as it is bicycle crazy. Wow - they make every effort to accommodate cyclists in this city, and there are tons of them.

Very easy to get around town most any time of day. Some areas bottleneck a bit worse than others, but generally speaking, if it's the size town you're looking for, you'd be hard-pressed to find one nearly as beautiful!

[northwest_bound]

Thanks Connie!

[northwest_bound]

I keep reading posts on other sites about the high crime with the homeless and being accosted and such. Can anyone living in Eugene give me more information about the crime rate there?

[hamellr]

I just drove the I-5 from Portland to LA and back. There were a lot of hitchhikers in the LA area, and most of them I would have possibly picked up based on looks alone. But around Eugene, the number of hitch hikers was double the total I saw in the LA area. Most of them were very dirty, very ragged and in groups. Also a large number of pan handlers, even at rest stops.

That all being said, I like Eugene in general. I've never spent a lot of time there, but I have visited and driven through hundreds of times. If I didn't have Portland to fall back on, Eugene would be a welcoming city for me.

[Hawk J]

Originally Posted by northwest_bound

I am looking to relocate from Arkansas to Oregon. I am considering Eugene, OR. I am looking for a community that is responsive to alternate types of healthcare. Of course I hear that most of Oregon is. Which areas or neighborhoods in Eugene are good places to live and have less crime? Are there very many farmer's markets in the area? Is this a dog friendly town with people walking their dogs often? How are the food stores and restuarants in the area? What do you like most about Eugene?

Check out the www.oregonfishingforum.com

Many of the friendly members live around Eugene.

Best of Luck to y'all...

Most folks have & love their doggie Pal's.

[Larry Caldwell]

If by "alternative health care" you mean faith healing, be aware that there are parents sitting in Oregon prisons convicted of manslaughter for letting their child die without taking them to a doctor.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

If by "alternative health care" you mean faith healing, be aware that there are parents sitting in Oregon prisons convicted of manslaughter for letting their child die without taking them to a doctor.

I assumed they meant naturopath, chiropractor, etc. All of which are very normal out here. I don't think anyone considers those alternative out here.

[PNWdrifter]

I think by alternative medicine he's talking about weed. If so oregon has pretty loose marijuana laws and it is medically approved here.

[Lootmeister]

You should take a vacation out here first.

I knew OODLES of Arkansas that relocated out here in the 90's when Reynolds Metals shut down (they took jobs at the Troutdale plant)

They struggled mightily with the move and ALL of them that I knew went back. They were very unhappy.

I dont want to be a buzzkill, but you should seriously consider coming out and trying it out first. (not to say that you and them are the same)

Arkansans sure are nice people. The nicest I've come across in fact.