Eugene is my "Best Place"
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11/25/2007
I went to Middle School, High School, and College here and then did the almost obligatory move away. I moved back after living in Portland, San Diego, and Portland again, for a total of 9 years. When I lived elsewhere and was asked about Eugene I would say "It's a good place to raise a family...". And as I got older that sounded like less of a negative!
People talk about the rain and the gray. I can't argue with statistics, but it has never seemed that bad to me. Yes, I am thrilled when Spring comes, and when the rain starts in November I know I'm in for a slog, but that's why we get the gorgeous green all year long. And I love the change of seasons. I didn't miss them when I was in SoCal, but now I adore the changing Fall colors. We rarely (every couple of years) have snow that sticks, and then it's only for a couple of days. During Winter it gets below freezing several nights, but gets up to the 50s during the days.
What I love about Eugene is its non-judgemental, live-and-let-live attitude. I see fewer people judging others based on the car they drive, the clothes they wear, or where and how they live. No one tells me when to mow my lawn, or what color I can paint my house. (But if I wanted that I could live in a subdivision with a strict HOA.)
And, as I thought 20 years ago, it has proven to be a wonderful, nurturing, and safe place to raise a family!
Sharon | Eugene, OR