Mixed bag - smart but scruffy
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4/25/2021
Eugene is going through a rough patch, made worse by the pandemic. The city has a fun, quirky side that has been put on hold during pandemic. Hoping that spirit returns soon.
It’s a manageable size, smart and progressive. Heavenly weather and soul for gardeners. Running and biking trails are everywhere. The statw’s most popular short hike - -Spencer Butte - is at the southwest end of town. Dog friendly.
But its deteriorated in past decade. An ineffective city and county government is reactive to problems. There’s never strategic planning in a real world way - an attitude that keeps the city hamstrung. Homelessness is out of control, making the cafe and shopping in downtown along the main Broadway corridor not some place you’d take your out of town friends. Growth has hurt air quality and after a dip during the recession, homes are over-priced and of more bland design and poor construction than you’d expect. Away from downtown, city is very pleasant with parks, gardens and hikes. Spread out on either side of the Willamette River. Other than grabbing rentals and parking spaces, the University of Oregon has very little presence in city life. Friendly neighborhood (that’s its name) is upper-middle area with nice smaller houses. Some day, the Whittaker neighborhood, with fine old houses, will make a comeback - but right now the homeless camps and property crime aren’t worth it. More affluent area are in hills in southern part of the the city. More apartment complexes lately in areas around the core. Decent mix of restaurants - ethnic , vegan. Nothing outstanding. Lots of nature just outside the city. Very good, growing airport. City is very liberal politically, but that ens at the city line. Nearby Springfield and rural area are conservative. Four seasons of weather - usually a week of temps with lows in teens and week of at or near 100 degrees. If Eugene is too expensive, check out Cottage Grove to the south.
Gary | Eugene, OR