Lebanon (Corvallis, Albany, Sweet Home: rentals, landlords, pros and cons) - Oregon (OR) - City-Data Forum

strudel42 · 07-05-2010, 04:43 PM

What's it like? We've been thinking seriously of moving to the Corvallis area, and have seen some genuinely nice rentals in Lebanon on Craigslist (whereas places in Corvallis seem either overpriced, slummy, or gone before we even reply). Would Lebanon be an appropriate place for a childless couple who enjoy hiking, biking, and general peacefulness? Is it an easy commute to Albany/Corvallis? Thinking maybe we could rent there for a while and look for places closer to Corvallis. Please fill me in on the pros and cons. Thanks for any info!

puerco · 07-06-2010, 08:02 AM

I lived & worked in the corvallis area a few years back & had a friend living in Sweet Home. I'd have to drive through Lebanon to get to her place. I didn't like Lebanon at all. I'm not sure if I ever went through the actual town. I just remember a long, flat, straight country highway that seemed dangerous. Sorry, that's all I can add. If you can, I'd suggest living closer to Corvallis. Maybe Albany.

Silverfall · 07-06-2010, 09:39 AM

Lebanon is a town of about 10-12,000 or so. I'm not sure what you are looking for. It is an easy commute to Corvallis or Albany, but honestly I would just find a rental in Albany or Corvallis. There is hiking and biking all over Oregon. Lebanon has easy access to back roads.

You do need to be wary if you find a rental with a well. Part of the town of Lebanon has contaminated ground water with chemicals.

jjpop · 07-06-2010, 10:02 AM

Lebanon's not bad, particularly if you're looking at an area toward the edge of town. The area on the east side of the South Santiam is rural and pretty. Interior Lebanon, I think, is not for everyone. It's a pretty easy 15-mile or so commute to Corvallis on OR-34 or 10 miles or so to Albany via US-20. Could get a little busy during rush hour and very busy on Beaver game days.

I think Albany's a better choice. Closer to Corvallis, plus more housing selection. Rents will not be significantly more than Lebanon.

strudel42 · 07-06-2010, 01:24 PM

Thanks for the replies. I really just wanted to know if there was a specific reason to avoid Lebanon. You're right though, Albany's closer, and while it doesn't seem like a bad place, we didn't get much of a vibe when we visited. We left Corvallis where everyone seemed to be out and walking around and went to downtown Albany and hardly saw a soul.

I am getting frustrated with our relocation process. We've been looking for a place for a long time, had a couple of places in Corvallis that were very promising but fell through due to us being out-of-state -- landlords decided to rent to someone local. Perhaps we will reconsider Albany.

skypros · 07-06-2010, 05:00 PM

I was thinking of moving to Lebanon... I think it is a very nice "old mill" town

I think I heard the water was contaminated by dry cleaners..... but if you are on city water.... I think you would be safe?

if the choices were Albany or Lebanon..... I would pick hands down LEBANON

Lebanon also has the town on wireless WI-FI (I think it is $10-$20 month) This is VERY cool.... shows the town is progressing.

Silverfall · 07-06-2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skypros

I was thinking of moving to Lebanon... I think it is a very nice "old mill" town

I think I heard the water was contaminated by dry cleaners..... but if you are on city water.... I think you would be safe?

if the choices were Albany or Lebanon..... I would pick hands down LEBANON

Lebanon also has the town on wireless WI-FI (I think it is $10-$20 month) This is VERY cool.... shows the town is progressing.

Yes city water is fine. It's only a certain part of town and it is well water. City water is treated.

strudel42 · 07-07-2010, 12:17 AM

Hi Skypros! Could you elaborate on why Lebanon is better than Albany in your opinion?

skypros · 07-07-2010, 10:41 AM

Lebanon is a small community (and that suits ME better)

Albany has much more industry.... including a cardboard plant, that can produce a kinda fowl smell... There is tons of info about Albany here in these forums. If you are going to Corvallis daily, Albany is allot closer than Lebanon.

antiguanmom · 07-11-2010, 02:45 AM

I dont know about Lebanon. We moved to the area recently and we are now in Albany. So far we really like it, it has it's pros and cons, but it is a nice town. Very friendly people and closer to Corvallis.

I know what you mean about not finding anyone in the down town area on a weekend. I wondered about the same thing when we moved here 3 months ago. Then I went to COSCO and saw why lol