I think Corvallis is it for me.

[rhbsue]

Originally Posted by DavePautsch

My family and I moved here in 2001 from Hawaii. It took a little while to get used to the changes but we have really come to love the Willamette Valley. I worked in Corvallis at OSU for the first 4 years although we actually live in Albany (it was much more affordable to buy a house here than in Benton County!).
The people here are incredibly friendly and warm. After years of living in major metropolitan areas it was such a change to have people actually talk to you in line at the grocery stores! The pace of life is significantly slower here than it was in either Oahu or San Diego...it drove us crazy at first that the mall actually closed on Sunday evenings at 6pm!
My children have thrived in the school system (they actually have Character Education as part of the curriculum! I thought that was great!)...

All in all I can't say enough good things about the area here.

Dave

Hey Dave: We are visiting Corvallis this Christmas to experience the winter before making our move from Hawaii, also. I am so encouraged by your message here. How many people from Hawaii are in the area, do you know? I see that there is a Hawaiian restaurant. We are not moving with the idea of seeking out other people from Hawaii, but I think there are a lot of people leaving Hawaii because it is just too darned expensive to live here. I have done so much research on Corvallis and Steve 97415 and Clear2Land have also given me invaluable information. My son will be a junior in high school and I am excited to have him going to a good school in Corvallis. I hope he won't be too far behind coming from Mililani High School. I love hearing from someone who has done what I am thinking of doing!! I have always liked when it rained in Hawaii (although I know that it is a lot colder in Corvallis) and it has been getting hotter and muggier here every year. I have also seen first hand, when we have visited Oregon last summer, that most Oregonians have more Aloha Spirit than here in Hawaii!

[gsw19]

Hi Dave, I see that you live in Albany. I guess we will be neighbors in a couple of years. This past summer we bought a house in Albany. I am looking forward to relocating there in the next couple of years. You speak well of the school system up there. Depending on when we move, my daughter will be going to West Albany High. Do you have any kids in high school?

[DavePautsch]

gsw19, My daughter is a freshman at West this year, and my youngest is at Liberty Elementary. We have also had experience with Memorial Middle School. I have to tell you that we have been very happy with the school system here. My girls have thrived with all of their teachers, the administration has been (in my experience) very responsive, they encourage parental involvement.
Does your daughter play sports? The Boys and Girls Club has some great programs for kids before HS, once in HS there are competitive teams with the school but MANY of them are non-cut sports (everyone plays). My oldest daughter played volleyball in the Boys and Girls, but with 38 girls trying out for 12 positions, she didn't make it. She is swimming now and loving it. The talent pool is pretty diverse on the swim team but everyone swims and has the chance to earn their letter.
Leadership is an elective course at the HS and they have some very active programs for that too. They require service hours, community involvement, and school involvement. West Albany Bulldogs went to States this year in 5A football. Lost in a heartbreaker to Corvallis (who they whomped earlier this year).
Big rivalry between West and South Albany in football...ok in EVERYTHING.
If you give me an idea where your new home is, I can give you some intel on the schools before HS. There are 4 middle schools that feed 2 high schools based on geograhy.
Dave

[leonas]

Does corivallis have a buse service to the airport in Portland?

[darjoh]

Originally Posted by leonas

Does corivallis have a buse service to the airport in Portland?

Hut Shuttle Transportaton to PDX airport along the Willamette Valley

this is what I use. never had a problem.

[sarahkate_m]

I've heard there's quite a conservative culture in Corvallis.

Kate

[JasonF]

I'm not sure where you heard that. Corvallis is a liberal college town in one of the most liberal, least religious, greenest places in the US.

[sarahkate_m]

Originally Posted by JasonF

I'm not sure where you heard that. Corvallis is a liberal college town in one of the most liberal, least religious, greenest places in the US.

my source was probably wrong then.