Moving to Eugene, Oregon
Berkeley Parents Network >
Reviews >
Housing, Neighborhoods, & Moving >
Moving to Oregon > Eugene
May 2005
My husband was accepted into a PhD program at the University of
Oregon in Eugene and, as much as we don't want to leave the Bay
Area, it looks like we will be moving there in the fall. I
wondered if anyone has recommendations for the area. I am
particularily eager to hear if anyone knows about
pediatriicans, childcare, things to do with kids etc. Any
information will be appreciated.
reluctant to leave
Eugene is a wonderful place to be a kid. The City of Eugene Recreation Services
actually provide a free drop-in recreational program during the summer in all the
neigborhood parks; included are big wading pools with life guards, craft projects,
and even snacks. The University of Oregon offers lots of enriched and exciting
programs for kids. There's also the Amazon Community Center (with summer day
camps, and three pools, including a twisty water slide and a very appealing toddler
area), a Science factory, Nearby Nature programs at Mt. Pisgah, the Maude Kerns art
center, the Oregon Festival of American Music (OFAM), for music, singing, vaudeville
classes, you name it) KidSports, The Edge (gymnastics and dancing), the YMCA, and
the Downtown Athletic Club, all of which provide classes and camps for kids. The
Eugene Public Library is gigantic, and offers many events for kids too. I miss the
steam train and merry-go-round at Tilden, but the lack of traffic kind of makes up
for it. I can't advise on pediatricians and childcare, since my twins are almost ten,
but it's easy to meet people here. They seem less harried than in the Bay Area. Here
are a few web sites for you regarding summer camps and kids' classes and
programs, just to get you started:
http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/rec
http://www.uoyouth.org
http://www.campinvention.org
http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/library
Best of luck on your move.
brian
May 2004
We have decided to move to the central Willamette Valley of
Oregon within a year or so, and would love to hear more about
Corvallis, Eugene and the surrounding areas. We are interested
in info about how the schools are, the childcare situation,
what the communitites are like, and if there are any parent
networks or great places to take young kids. We saw the
archives on the subject, but are hoping for more feedback.
Gayle
We moved from the Bay Area to Eugene close to two years ago. Somewhat to my
surprise, we actually found much of what we were looking for: good public schools,
more community, lower house prices, and less traffic. The biggest negative is that
there are no jobs; Eugene, like most U.S. cities, is hurting financially, and
unemployment, or underemployment, is rampant. I see a lot of women my age
(middle years) working counter jobs. If you're moving up here, it helps to have a job
to come to, or to bring your job with you. The school situation is complex; Eugene
has neighborhood public schools, and also alternative public schools. The latter
include Spanish, French, and Japanese immersion schools, traditional, and very
untraditional. The alternative schools are public, but you can only get your kid in if
they're picked in the lottery, which occurs the year before. We're very happy with
the alternative school we're in: there's lot of parental involvement, a class size of
about 22 or less, and the teachers are stellar. Again, like most cities, Eugene's in a
financial crisis, so there are always lots of fund raisers, and a lot of teachers are
taking early retirement so that they won't lose what pensions they have. Because it's
a college town, Eugene has a lot of cultural events, independent book stores, and
the like. The University of Oregon offers lots of classes that kids can take. Our
neighborhood, called College Hill, is very organized and friendly. I thought the rain
would get me down, but found that I liked the weather. There's plenty of sun to
balance out the rain. Eugene as a town seems very big on microbrews, chocolate,
music, progressive politics, books, yoga, biking, and cats. Also, there seem to be
parades at any opportunity. House prices have been going up (in fact, Eugene/
Springfield is one of those parts of the country, like the Bay Area, where house
prices are considered part of a ''bubble'' that could deflate at any moment). You
could buy a house in a leafy, nice neighborhood for about $325,000. A house with
character would probably set you back more than $400,000. Best of luck in your
venture.
briank
May 2001
We're thinking of moving to Eugene, Oregon, and wondered if anyone had any
experience with this city. Does it really rain 99.9% of the time? Is there a good
sense of community? How are the schools? Would you want to raise your kids
there? Thanks for your comments!
Brian
I lived and worked for a number of years in Corvallis,
Oregon's "other" college town. My job with the university
plus friends and family in the area took me to Eugene quite
often. Unless it has changed a LOT it was a great place to
raise kids.
Comparing it to places I've been here in the Bay Area,
I would say it is most like Berkeley. There is (or was)
a place for everyone to fit in if they want to.
Of course it had the same problems as any larger size
community and areas less appealing than others. The
positives I remember were a thriving art community, including
theatre and music, as well as visual arts. It's large enough to
attract headliner entertainment. If you're into it they have a
fabulous medieval fair every year. Also, it is is very close to
lots of outdoor recreation areas; an hour from the coast, an
hour from the mountains, etc.
Depending on the age(s) of your children, I'm sure you'll
find plenty of enriching activities for them.
No, it doesn't rain every single day...but winter and spring
are pretty soggy. Be sure you take your umbrella! Oh yes,
and watch out for logging trucks!
Renay
I grew up in Springfield (bedroom community of Eugene) and highly
recommend it for a place to raise children. While you do not have the beauty
of the Bay (and all that goes with this area), you do have a great university
feel to a city and all that goes with it; Performing Arts, athletics (go
Ducks!), good school systems (especially in certain parts of Eugene), some
good restaurant (a small variety of ethnic ones),2 rivers that run through
the city - I could go on. I have lived in California since I was 17 but
visit my parents frequently (and would take an opportunity to move back). It
does rain a lot and, if it isn't raining, it can be quite gray, but the
summer months (July-Sept) are spectacular. Plan a winter get away and plan
to spend a few stormy weekends at the Oregon coast and you'll be fine (with
some great rain gear). Good luck
JThomsen
this page was last updated: Sep 18, 2005
The opinions and statements expressed on this website
are those of parents who subscribe to the
Berkeley Parents Network.
Please see
Disclaimer & Usage for
information about using content on this website.
Copyright © 1996-2013 Berkeley Parents Network