Corvallis or Eugene for me and my boys? (Portland, Roseburg: apartment, rentals)

[cubanspice]

Hello,

I am at a crossroads in trying to decide between moving to Corvallis or Eugene w/my 3 boys (elementary and jr high aged). I am going back to school, and have been given a wonderful scholarship that allows me to choose any school in Oregon. We used to live in Portland area, are now in Roseburg area. I appreciate cultural and ethnic diversity, and of course am looking for the best community in which to raise kids. This is a new path for us, and I hope to settle wherever we go and to not uproot my kids again. I am an English major, and Ive heard U.O has a better/bigger Liberal Arts program, but also that OSU's is growing. I have visited both communities and plan to spend more time in each area (visiting), but so far really like both. Corvallis would be closer to my family in Portland, but Eugene would be closer to boys dad and paternal grandparents. Thanks for any input!

[Steve97415]

Either would probably be fine. The only difference is that in Corvallis you really can't go wrong no matter where you live, i.e., Corvallis High School is just as good as Crescent Valley High. In Eugene you need to be a bit more discerning with exactly what neighborhoods and schools you want to target, i.e. North Eugene High is not the equal of South Eugene High.

[scottinpdx]

I would say Corvallis, I have lived there for the last 7 years and am thinking about moving back. Great community vibe. Eugene is nice since it is bigger and there is more things to do.

[plainbrowntabby]

I'd say Corvallis, with it's vibrant downtown and less of the hysterical stalemate and culture war that Eugene is stuck in. Corvallis has a more cohesive sense of who and what it is. Eugene is angry with itself and the problems with the police are only a symptom. When i go to visit Portland, i usually bypass Eugene and drive the back way up 99W instead so as to spend an afternoon in Corvallis. Stay far off of I-5 both living and driving, it's a much gentler ride all the way around. Corvallis would be my vote if I had young men to raise. Good luck either way!

[cubanspice]

Thank you for your input!

I'm leaning toward Corvallis; "cohesive" is the word that comes to mind for me too, more of a cohesive community vibe. I do like that it is a ways off from I5, no big box stores, etc. - less riff raff

I have a difficult time making big decisions, I tend to agonize over them, considering how each decision affects so many things in our lives (and in other's lives) - I overanalyze, but even knowing this doesn't seem to make it any easier, I'm glad I found this forum - I appreciate the informed opinions.

Thanks again!

[jjpop]

If you do end up selecting Corvallis, you may want to steer clear of living very close to campus. Lots of student rentals, and sometimes students don't make the best neighbors. I was a student once, and the house I shared could get pretty loud late into the evening. There are plenty of neighborhoods in Corvallis that are an easy bike ride to campus but away from the rowdy influence.

[pomona]

[/quote]. In Eugene you need to be a bit more discerning with exactly what neighborhoods and schools you want to target, i.e. North Eugene High is not the equal of South Eugene High.[/quote]

Does this mean that North Eugene is different in safety than South Eugene? Is one a slum area, and if so, which is which? I'm curious about the politics and 'stalemate' of Eugene, what does that mean? My husband and I are a young middle aged couple w/out kids so school districts aren't important except as a quality of life issue. We are seeking a funkier area of town w/ afforable rentals, SMALL house rental or apartment, that are in relatively non-transient neighhorhoods where you can become a regular at the local coffee house bookstore, or bar. Is Corvallis more suburbia than Eugene, and what exactly are the problems Eugene is facing (i.e. w/ the police) Any input is welcome!

[ak.nessa]

I prefer Corvallis. It's smaller and seemed a lot safer to me. I remember going for walks by myself, lots of great hiking and a few fun parks you can take your kids to and play outside. Eugene offers the same things, but is much larger and more urban and sprawled out a bit more. I would feel safer raising children in Corvallis, but I know there are nice neighborhoods in Eugene as well.

You are right, UofO is great for anything Liberal Arts related. OSU in Corvallis is more for agricultural studies, yet they offer everything!

As far as college goes it sounds like Eugene might be a better fit for you, and I am sure you could find a decent area to live in that felt safe.

[cubanspice]

I agree, I am still confused though..... My husband (we are separating) actually is more supportive of Corvallis, being a safer, smaller town than Eugene, even though it would be further and less convenient for him, and despite that he is a hardcore, lifelong duck fan and the kids would have to become plattypuses (sp?!)

[CCCVDUR]

. . . In Eugene you need to be a bit more discerning with exactly what neighborhoods and schools you want to target, i.e. North Eugene High is not the equal of South Eugene High.[/quote]

Does this mean that North Eugene is different in safety than South Eugene? Is one a slum area, and if so, which is which? I'm curious about the politics and 'stalemate' of Eugene, what does that mean? My husband and I are a young middle aged couple w/out kids so school districts aren't important except as a quality of life issue. We are seeking a funkier area of town w/ afforable rentals, SMALL house rental or apartment, that are in relatively non-transient neighhorhoods where you can become a regular at the local coffee house bookstore, or bar. Is Corvallis more suburbia than Eugene, and what exactly are the problems Eugene is facing (i.e. w/ the police) Any input is welcome![/quote]

These orphaned quotes from this thread require significant explanation. Given the expense of relocation, many of us reading these forums are over 1,000 miles away who are considering Eugene require accurate information to make the best decisions.

If certain areas of Eugene are NOT safe to raise kids because of these "issues" regarding "crime" and "the police" (whatever they happen to be), then please be specific in delineating the geopolitical and geographic parameters.

Furthermore, based on previous City-Data Eugene threads, the safety of Eugene for women and children, especially at night and in the winter, sounds like a significant concern.