If I liked Portland, will I like Eugene?

[aroseinrain]

If you move to Oregon, there's a very good chance that your future kids will not see the value of a college education unless you show it to them. You, as the parent, will have to find a way to press your case on that front. I'm sure that if they know that it's important to you it will be important to them. Raise them with college as a regular part of your dialogue - IMO that will make all the difference.

[puerco]

I grew up in Portland. My mother & her siblings all had college degrees & we all knew we would be going to college after high school graduation. I was in the "college prep" program at Central Catholic HS where I received an excellent education. In fact, my first year of college was like a repeat of my senior year at CC & I got a bit lazy in my study habits. Aroseinrain is correct. If you raise your children to believe that college is expected for them, whether you live in Portland or Eugene they'll go to college when the time comes. I've never lived in Eugene so can't add anything to that.

[docwatson]

Thanks for the replies.

Any other transplants from Portland have views (good/bad/otherwise) on life in Eugene?

[98NWCherokee]

I found this threat interesting because I'm considering moving back to Portland after 12 years in the Eugene/Springfield area. I work at the University and live in Springfield (bought on the bubble and it was all I could afford). I'm ready to leave the Eugene way of life behind. For a number of years I was infatuated with Eugene and found it's quirky, offbeat style endearing. Now I long for change and larger surroundings. I think there are a lot of things that are good about Eugene that make it an appealing place. Summers in Eugene are beyond beautiful and the people are friendly. There is no traffic and there are plenty of services available for a city of it's size. Some of the things I want to get away from:

The job market is horrible with no growth or opportunities

I've grown tired of the "College Town" persona

The city is somewhat run-down (streets in disrepair)

While I'm Liberal, I long for a more diverse community where the "hippie" personality is not embodied on every street corner

The drug problem. Every person I meet seems to be a user and I'm past those college party days

[zitsky]

Originally Posted by 98NWCherokee

I found this threat interesting because I'm considering moving back to Portland after 12 years in the Eugene/Springfield area. I work at the University and live in Springfield (bought on the bubble and it was all I could afford). I'm ready to leave the Eugene way of life behind. For a number of years I was infatuated with Eugene and found it's quirky, offbeat style endearing. Now I long for change and larger surroundings. I think there are a lot of things that are good about Eugene that make it an appealing place. Summers in Eugene are beyond beautiful and the people are friendly. There is no traffic and there are plenty of services available for a city of it's size. Some of the things I want to get away from:

The job market is horrible with no growth or opportunities

I've grown tired of the "College Town" persona

The city is somewhat run-down (streets in disrepair)

While I'm Liberal, I long for a more diverse community where the "hippie" personality is not embodied on every street corner

The drug problem. Every person I meet seems to be a user and I'm past those college party days

I was there for less than 2 years but agree with pretty much everything you've said. I was in Eugene doing a Master's degree at the university. I had the same experience. I bought an older house in the south hills in Eugene. I'd divide Eugene up into three demographics: (1) older, retired people, (2) hippies, and (3) druggies (see #2).