23 year old female looking to move to Corvallis... jobs and entertainment? (Portland: rental, job market)

[Jillery]

Hello all! I love this site - you're all so helpful!

Anyway I'm 23 years old, just finishing my degree in Social Studies and I'm looking to move to Corvallis this summer. I'm just curious about how difficult it would be to find a job. I know things are tough right now but I'm curious about even working the basics like a movie rental place or Walmart. Are those types of jobs even difficult to come by?

Eventually I'd like to get a position working with people who have disabilities or in a school as a Teacher's Aid or Paraprofessional (are they called that there?). Does anyone know if jobs like might be available?

I hear that Corvallis is a college town. Does that mean that there are fun activities for people my age? I'm looking to meet Mr. Right and normally have a hard time socializing so I was hoping that the town might be active and have a lot of different activities for people to meet. I'm not really into the "bar scene". I'm from a really small town where there are zero things to do and would like to move up from that.

What kinds of things are there for entertainment? I know Portland is relatively close... is that where people go for fun?

Any advice is welcome! Especially on how to meet new people and make friends!

Thanks!

[Fiddlehead]

Hi Jillery,

Sorry, I'm taken....lol!

Anyway, I studied at OSU and loved it. A pleasant, friendly town with appealing surroundings and a short jaunt to the coast, mountains, Portland, Eugene. If I were to roll into town, I'd head down to Squirrel's pub downtown and ask the locals what's shaking. Friendly locals place, no creeps, or at least none I noticed. It has been almost ten years, so I am surely behind the time, but the little pub would be good starting point, then cruise over the Beanery coffee shop and ask the folks what's shaking. Then follow your nose. I don't equate Corvallis with hopping nightlife, but there are places all around and there are plenty of accomplished people there, including engineers and scientists to be that are probably as challenged as you with socializing. You'll find a way! Good folk overall, and I highly recommend it.

Yikes, just saw that you are not into the "bar scene." Sorry.
Hmm... I would look up many of the social and activity clubs in the town and environs. A good way to make friends. No shortage, but Eugene would have more going on.

[Metlakatla]

The Beanery isn't a bar though and is an excellent suggestion; I still am in contact with friends I met there over twenty years ago. Here's their website...they have a jobs link on it and could be a place you'd want to apply.

http://www.allannbroscoffee.com/

I don't know that much about the job market but...the type of job you're asking about is often taken by college students. You could possibly have an edge on that by arriving in the summer when a lot of them are gone. It is tough though so good luck to you.