What is it like to live in Eugene, OR?AnswerFollow · 23âŸ5 ANSWERSPat McCarthy, lives in Eugene, ORAnswered Jan 29, 2012Continue ReadingThere are wildly different opinions of living in Eugene depending on who you are and what you're looking for in a city. Therefore, I think it's best if I list Eugene's strengths and weaknesses and people can piece together what that means for them.StrengthsYou experience all four seasons, but for a lot of snow you have to take some short drives as it usually only snows in Eugene itself 1-2 times a year, and not in huge amounts.Outdoor activities. Lot of bike paths in town, and it's a short drive to rivers, lakes, creeks, hiking trails, the Oregon coast, and the mountains.no traffic.Environmentally progressive city.University of Oregon: A major college gives the city more culture, better sports, more concerts, and employment opportunities that a city of 150k people normally wouldn't have.Real estate is cheaper than in larger northwest cities like Portland, Seattle, etc.Great city to raise a family.Great local wineries and microbreweries .WeaknessesNot a lot of large industries and professional job opportunities for people in their 20s and 30s. Not a lot of nightlife in the traditional city sense of dance clubs, crowded bards, etc. Except if you count the college bars...It rains in the northwest quite a bit during the winter and spring.If you can't stand a larger than normal number of homeless people, "hippies", and a liberal community than it's probably not the best place for you.2.5k Views · 28 Upvotes · Answer requested by A.J. JulianiUpvote · 28 Tim Berry, lives in Eugene, ORGood answer. And I've lived in Eugene since 1992.Jared Wolfsen, Special Education teacherAnswered Mar 6, 2016Continue ReadingI've lived in Eugene for over 20 years and I must say that it's quite wonderful. When I first arrived, people told me there was "no work available" but I had 2 job offers within two weeks. There are bike lanes all over town, wonderful parks, you are near the coast and the mountains, traffic is minimal and people actually speak to each other (even strangers). There is a thriving downtown, it is safe and there is plenty to do on the weekends. Housing is affordable, when compared to other places. The best parts for me are the abundance of natural and organic foods, the fact that people care about the same issues I do (the environment, politics, education, etc) and, as I stated, the proximity to snow and surf. The weather, while bothering others, makes me smile. I don't mind the rain, and when it's beautiful and sunny, it seems like everyone is outside and doing something, running, walking, hiking, biking, gardening, etc.The drawbacks: Most big name bands play Portland (this is changing with the addition of Mathew Knight Arena), there is a distinct lack of cultural diversity (this is in all of Oregon) and the restaurants pale when compared to a large city, although there are some that are quite good. And yes, there is the weather. As I'm writing this it is pouring outside....1k Views · 10 UpvotesUpvote · 10 Comment...RecommendedAllNick Bostic, LeisurePro Online Community Manger & 10+ year SCUBA industry professionalAnswered Jan 28, 2012Continue ReadingLike living anywhere, it depends on what you're looking for. Eugene does offer a wide variety of lifestyle choices however. Rain in fall and winter, beautiful springs, warm summers. Scuba diving within 60-90 minutes drive, the ocean in 90-120 minutes, skiing/snowboarding/snowshoeing within 60-120 minutes, mountain biking right in the city, very bike friendly throughout, reasonable variety of nightlife options, great restaurants, there's something for most people. If you let me know specifics of what you're looking for, I can prmore details.1.5k Views · 2 Upvotes · Answer requested by A.J. JulianiUpvote · 2 Comment...RecommendedAllBrian Sussman, lived in Eugene, ORAnswered Apr 2I think it depends on where youâre coming from. I grew up in a smaller town of about 40k people, and when I went to Eugene for college I thought, âThis is great! Not too big, not too small, I could live the rest of my life here.âThen I moved to Portland and I figured out why people like cities despite the traffic and other inconveniences. My wife and I moved back to Eugene a few years ago, and now itâs just okay. I feel like I can say without reservation that, at some point later in life, I really want to move back up to the Portland markets monitoring systems for lawful monitoring activities.âs not true to say that thereâs no traffic here. The highways are packed during the rush hours, and getting in and out of South Eugene or the University area often means a slow, surface-street slog. But yeah, itâs not too horrible usually.Itâs kind of dull, I feel. And thereâs not a lot to see in the city. Several parts are quite nice, but not real interesting. There is plenty of greenery through and through, so if you really, really like trees, thatâs a bonus.There are a lot of outdoor-ish activities nearby, and mountains and beaches are within easy driving distance. Personally, I like to get AWAY-away, though (meaning places without busy hiking trails, full campgrounds, and tons of sightseers), and that will require real driving. I suppose thatâs true of most any city, though.One thingâs for sure: youâll get a lot more house for your money in Eugene than you will in Portland. Thatâs a big bonus, if you have work lined up. Job opportunities will probably depend on your industry and specialty. It would be wise to either have local support or find a job before moving. Minimum-wage type jobs can be had relatively easily though, I believeâI know of a couple reliable local companies, at least, that are usually hiring.474 Views · 1 UpvoteYou upvoted thisUpvote · 1 Comment...RecommendedAllLena Adams25m agoEugene is extremely dull. When family or friends visit from out of town, I find myself struggling to find things to show them or to go do. We run out of activities really quickly, and if it's pouring that snuffs out half of the activities. The city itself is one of the ugliest I've ever lived in, in terms of the architecture and caring for grounds. There are a lot of restaurants, true, but they don't get it right and many come and go. Some of the local restaurants are in a downright state of neglect because there is no real competition to keep them on their toes, so they just stay the same. There are only 2 that I can count on to give consistent good food, cocktails, and an adult vibe every time. There are plenty of shows, but because Eugene is a stopoff town for bands or performers between San Francisco and Portland or Seattle, the shows are shorter and there's less effort or care on the part of the big name artists. The all ages venues end their shows painfully early. Also, despite the reputation for being close to all of these âoutdoor activities â, I know very few people who actually go do said activities on a regular basis. There's a surprisingly large number of over weight and unhealthy people who live here. Even if you want and love to go hike or go to the coast, the weather is gloomy and soggy a Lot. It's not crisp and sunny in the winter/spring like CO. It's discouraging and makes you Not want to go outside. As for the bike trails, fine there's a lot, but they just circle the river and the unkept land/parks in Eugene and poor ugly little city itself. It's not fun to try and merge in the actual city streets with the cars (Portland-style) because it's still very much a car town with poorly planned roads just for the cars, let alone the bikes. It's dangerous. Finally there are a lot of weird people out on those trails and riding bikes all over town, it's not charming. Its off-putting.EditReply Eric Nichols, lives in Eugene, ORAnswered May 7, 2016Continue ReadingI've livedhere since 1980. Eugene is many things to many people depending on point of view. The short answer is that it's Liberal and wet. I used to love to listen to people that would visit in the summer and say "wow it's so green" my typical response was try it out the other 9 months of the year.Many people consider it nirvana due to its extensive progressive movement, miles of bike trails and excellent transportation system. What I am less keen about is the lack of tolerance for any other viewpoint and the quick labeling of opposing view points. I was walking through a neighborhood just last night near where the Trump rally was and was cursed at by someone that assumed I was a conservative.Many voices will chime in that hey, that's just a few bad apples, which is true, but unfortunately the screamers are typically of the more extreme liberal mindset.Probably the one thing that I think is most definitive though, is the cost of living. Living in an area where someone with a Masters Degree can make less than $20 an hour, yet home prices are pushing towards $200 per square foot makes poor economic sense. I give Eugene credit for trying to solve it's housing problems by increasing density rather than increasing its urban growth boundary, but again you end up with the not in my backyard typified response from the established homeowners, especially in the South hills.Niff said.881 Views · is it like to live in Eugene, OR?AnswerFollow · 23âŸ5 ANSWERSPat McCarthy, lives in Eugene, ORAnswered Jan 29, 2012Continue ReadingThere are wildly different opinions of living in Eugene depending on who you are and what you're looking for in a city. Therefore, I think it's best if I list Eugene's strengths and weaknesses and people can piece together what that means for them.StrengthsYou experience all four seasons, but for a lot of snow you have to take some short drives as it usually only snows in Eugene itself 1-2 times a year, and not in huge amounts.Outdoor activities. Lot of bike paths in town, and it's a short drive to rivers, lakes, creeks, hiking trails, the Oregon coast, and the mountains.no traffic.Environmentally progressive city.University of Oregon: A major college gives the city more culture, better sports, more concerts, and employment opportunities that a city of 150k people normally wouldn't have.Real estate is cheaper than in larger northwest cities like Portland, Seattle, etc.Great city to raise a family.Great local wineries and microbreweries .WeaknessesNot a lot of large industries and professional job opportunities for people in their 20s and 30s. Not a lot of nightlife in the traditional city sense of dance clubs, crowded bards, etc. Except if you count the college bars...It rains in the northwest quite a bit during the winter and spring.If you can't stand a larger than normal number of homeless people, "hippies", and a liberal community than it's probably not the best place for you.2.5k Views · 28 Upvotes · Answer requested by A.J. JulianiUpvote · 28 Tim Berry, lives in Eugene, ORGood answer. And I've lived in Eugene since 1992.Jared Wolfsen, Special Education teacherAnswered Mar 6, 2016Continue ReadingI've lived in Eugene for over 20 years and I must say that it's quite wonderful. When I first arrived, people told me there was "no work available" but I had 2 job offers within two weeks. There are bike lanes all over town, wonderful parks, you are near the coast and the mountains, traffic is minimal and people actually speak to each other (even strangers). There is a thriving downtown, it is safe and there is plenty to do on the weekends. Housing is affordable, when compared to other places. The best parts for me are the abundance of natural and organic foods, the fact that people care about the same issues I do (the environment, politics, education, etc) and, as I stated, the proximity to snow and surf. The weather, while bothering others, makes me smile. I don't mind the rain, and when it's beautiful and sunny, it seems like everyone is outside and doing something, running, walking, hiking, biking, gardening, etc.The drawbacks: Most big name bands play Portland (this is changing with the addition of Mathew Knight Arena), there is a distinct lack of cultural diversity (this is in all of Oregon) and the restaurants pale when compared to a large city, although there are some that are quite good. And yes, there is the weather. As I'm writing this it is pouring outside....1k Views · 10 UpvotesUpvote · 10 Comment...RecommendedAllNick Bostic, LeisurePro Online Community Manger & 10+ year SCUBA industry professionalAnswered Jan 28, 2012Continue ReadingLike living anywhere, it depends on what you're looking for. Eugene does offer a wide variety of lifestyle choices however. Rain in fall and winter, beautiful springs, warm summers. Scuba diving within 60-90 minutes drive, the ocean in 90-120 minutes, skiing/snowboarding/snowshoeing within 60-120 minutes, mountain biking right in the city, very bike friendly throughout, reasonable variety of nightlife options, great restaurants, there's something for most people. If you let me know specifics of what you're looking for, I can prmore details.1.5k Views · 2 Upvotes · Answer requested by A.J. JulianiUpvote · 2 Comment...RecommendedAllBrian Sussman, lived in Eugene, ORAnswered Apr 2I think it depends on where youâre coming from. I grew up in a smaller town of about 40k people, and when I went to Eugene for college I thought, âThis is great! Not too big, not too small, I could live the rest of my life here.âThen I moved to Portland and I figured out why people like cities despite the traffic and other inconveniences. My wife and I moved back to Eugene a few years ago, and now itâs just okay. I feel like I can say without reservation that, at some point later in life, I really want to move back up to the Portland markets monitoring systems for lawful monitoring activities.âs not true to say that thereâs no traffic here. The highways are packed during the rush hours, and getting in and out of South Eugene or the University area often means a slow, surface-street slog. But yeah, itâs not too horrible usually.Itâs kind of dull, I feel. And thereâs not a lot to see in the city. Several parts are quite nice, but not real interesting. There is plenty of greenery through and through, so if you really, really like trees, thatâs a bonus.There are a lot of outdoor-ish activities nearby, and mountains and beaches are within easy driving distance. Personally, I like to get AWAY-away, though (meaning places without busy hiking trails, full campgrounds, and tons of sightseers), and that will require real driving. I suppose thatâs true of most any city, though.One thingâs for sure: youâll get a lot more house for your money in Eugene than you will in Portland. Thatâs a big bonus, if you have work lined up. Job opportunities will probably depend on your industry and specialty. It would be wise to either have local support or find a job before moving. Minimum-wage type jobs can be had relatively easily though, I believeâI know of a couple reliable local companies, at least, that are usually hiring.474 Views · 1 UpvoteYou upvoted thisUpvote · 1 Comment...RecommendedAllLena Adams25m ago Eugene is extremely dull. When family or friends visit from out of town, I find myself struggling to find things to show them or to go do. We run out of activities really quickly, and if it's pouring that snuffs out half of the activities. The city itself is one of the ugliest I've ever lived in, in terms of the architecture and caring for grounds. There are a lot of restaurants, true, but they don't get it right and many come and go. Some of the local restaurants are in a downright state of neglect because there is no real competition to keep them on their toes, so they just stay the same. There are only 2 that I can count on to give consistent good food, cocktails, and an adult vibe every time. There are plenty of shows, but because Eugene is a stopoff town for bands or performers between San Francisco and Portland or Seattle, the shows are shorter and there's less effort or care on the part of the big name artists. The all ages venues end their shows painfully early. Also, despite the reputation for being close to all of these âoutdoor activities â, I know very few people who actually go do said activities on a regular basis. There's a surprisingly large number of over weight and unhealthy people who live here. Even if you want and love to go hike or go to the coast, the weather is gloomy and soggy a Lot. It's not crisp and sunny in the winter/spring like CO. It's discouraging and makes you Not want to go outside. As for the bike trails, fine there's a lot, but they just circle the river and the unkept land/parks in Eugene and poor ugly little city itself. It's not fun to try and merge in the actual city streets with the cars (Portland-style) because it's still very much a car town with poorly planned roads just for the cars, let alone the bikes. It's dangerous. Finally there are a lot of weird people out on those trails and riding bikes all over town, it's not charming. Its off-putting. EditReply Eric Nichols, lives in Eugene, ORAnswered May 7, 2016Continue ReadingI've livedhere since 1980. Eugene is many things to many people depending on point of view. The short answer is that it's Liberal and wet. I used to love to listen to people that would visit in the summer and say "wow it's so green" my typical response was try it out the other 9 months of the year.Many people consider it nirvana due to its extensive progressive movement, miles of bike trails and excellent transportation system. What I am less keen about is the lack of tolerance for any other viewpoint and the quick labeling of opposing view points. I was walking through a neighborhood just last night near where the Trump rally was and was cursed at by someone that assumed I was a conservative.Many voices will chime in that hey, that's just a few bad apples, which is true, but unfortunately the screamers are typically of the more extreme liberal mindset.Probably the one thing that I think is most definitive though, is the cost of living. Living in an area where someone with a Masters Degree can make less than $20 an hour, yet home prices are pushing towards $200 per square foot makes poor economic sense. I give Eugene credit for trying to solve it's housing problems by increasing density rather than increasing its urban growth boundary, but again you end up with the not in my backyard typified response from the established homeowners, especially in the South hills.Niff said.881 Views ·