portland -vs- Eugene (neighborhoods, theater, colleges)

[wildwolf]

Whats you choice? Why?

[Clear2land]

I did live in Portland for about 4 years. I liked living there very much. Portland can get some high winds at times. I can recall taking a hammer to remove 3 inches of ice on my car just to get the door open. Lastly, Portland is disproportionately wet compared to the rest of the state. Beautiful hills and valleys surround Portland. There are breathtaking waterfalls all up and down the Columbia. The city of Roses has a Rose Festival each year. On a summer’s day, the zoo is the best place to be. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is a great winter attraction. There is always plenty to explore and love about Portland. Riding my bicycle all over Portland gave me the large calves I still have today. For fun, you can ride the bus just about anywhere you want to go.

If people were votes, Portland has more to offer than Eugene. Having said that, I would be equally happy in either city.

Dan

[Deserter]

Well, we had decided on Portland over Eugene, but that giant calves comment is a little scary.

Of course, with all the Oregon ice cream I'll be enjoying, giant calves should be the least of my worries.

The reasons Portland won for us:

closer to airport for trips to visit aging parents and fun international vacations
more job possibilities
chance to use public transportation to get to work (more exercise, less reliance on foreign oil, reduce contribution to global warming)
Powell's books
it's gorgeous
soooo many things to do
nice walkable neighborhoods
great parks and biking/walking trails
more attractions to entice family and friends to visit

[tiffela74]

congrads on your decision! You'll find it a long time (if ever) youre ever bored w/Portland. Dont forget to check out OMSI - and if you get there soon, they have the Star Wars exhibit there right now!! Always have a good variaty of exhibits there. And all hands on! very cool.
Tiffany

[Steve97415]

There's not much comparison as they are very dissimilar. Portland is a true metro area; Eugene is just a city...some would say it's just an overgrown mid-sized town. Portland is quite urbane and it's one of the few West Coast cities that many East Coasters find has the things that resonnate with them -- architecturally significant buildings, a sense of deep history, a real downtown and an array of different neighborhood districts that have their own special qualities.
Eugene is a college town that grown a lot in the past four decades without really changing its character much. It's fairly modern and homogeneous. You could live in Eugene your whole life with out ever finding a need to wearing anything beyond Levis and running shoes. In Portland, you would need a wardrobe that includes suits and ties.

[Des_Demona]

I don't know Deserter, that description of why you chose Portland could easily pass as a description for Eugene. Eugene has all of those qualities as well. It has an airport too (although I don't think it's an international one) but Portland is so close that I am going to take weekend trips up there from Eugene probably every weekend. I'd rather live in Eugene because I am over urban living. I want more green and a smaller city. Eugene is liberal, college town (educated), excellent bike paths and parks and plenty to do for me (I'm 25 now). That's why I'm choosing Eugene. All the big things that both places have to offer (bike paths, beauty, colleges, parks) can be found in both locations. I think the big kicker is what SIZE city you want to live in. And as far as Levis go... I didn't know they still made those! Good to know I won't need to be fashionable but that's a California thing I probably won't be able to shake.

[Deserter]

Thanks Tiffany!

Des, I still like Eugene very much and I know I could live there comfortably.

However, flights in and out of Eugene cost more and take longer. They usually make a detour to Seattle or something on the way.

Downtown Eugene has some interesting local businesses and south Eugene has some even more interesting local businesses (new-agey, organic, hippy). However, much of Eugene has typical chain restaurants and big box stores. Not that I don't shop in some of them. (Never Wal-mart, but others.)

I guess the thing I think I see in Portland is something sort of like village living in the different neighborhoods with their locally-owned businesses. I always found the idea of living in a walkable small village appealing. Then I lived in an actual tiny village in the Santa Cruz mountains. Too remote for me. I like village living with easy access to conveniences like stores, restaurants, and theaters: urban village.

Living in Eugene seems a lot like a standard suburban lifestyle, albeit with friendly liberal locals and beautiful parks.

Anyway, stop by and say "hi" when you're visiting P-land.

[tiffela74]

crap man, im wearing Levi's right now. - what the heck does that make me? I think im confused now. lol -
and youre welcome Deserter - always cool to have someone moving here thats all excited and ready/wanting to be here. - Im sure you'll be bringing some great ideas/fashions/trends/ with you!
Tiffany

[Des_Demona]

Awww Deserter... I think given the right circumstances you and I could have been great friends. Well I plan to travel to Portland often so maybe I will see you there! And we'll likely be up there at the same time during winter this year so we may run into each other there as well. Are you still planning your trip up there?

[Deserter]

Yes, Des Demona, I'm absolutely still going up there in December. I have to see if the virtual Portland I imagine myself in is anything close to the reality.

Tiffany,

I think you'll have to rely on Des Demona for the fashion thing, I am so far from a fashionista.