Reviews & Comments
La Grande, OR
Clean, quiet, beautiful -
3/9/2023When I moved to LaGrande in 2018, my son decided to go to college there. If you are curious about the EOU education, it's what a kid makes of it. He completed a degree in biochemistry and has been accepted to doctorate programs at Bozeman and Pullman (... you can't take the woods out of the boy). LaGrande has changed immensely over the past five years. There is a lot more for the college kids to do, and more places for them to hang out. If you like craft beer I highly recommend Side A right down town, and Terminal Gravity up the road at Enterprise. There is now a farmers' market, and some music downtown during the summer. There are a couple of health food stores, one with a deck on the roof to enjoy their hot and cold deli food. And some great bakeries for the not-so-health-conscious, as well as Hought's ice cream (seasonal), that is divine, at the west end of Adams Ave. I have eaten pretty much everywhere in the valley, and I can say that I only had two sub-par meals (one was very expensive). Speaking of par, there is also a golf course, albeit not like Silverado. The greater region has a couple of smaller ski resorts, but people seem to have a great time, and the scenery and access can't be beat. My son has done a phenomenal amount of backpacking in the greater region, in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wenaha, Imnaha, the Elkhorns, the Strawberries... never the same place twice.
There are some very nice established parks, both large and small, and a city swimming pool. But if you like to day-hike, there is Mount Emily Recreation Area, which also has an area of ATV routes, and Catherine Creek State Park, or you just get out of the car someplace and start walking. It's all good!
The winters aren't of the overcast and damp variety. They can be extremely cold and icy, but beautiful. Definitely beautiful. The sun comes out quite often and the place is a Christmas card. LaGrande (as well as Elgin and maybe Union) are well protected from the wind, which seems to blow only in the winter, but once you get out across the highway, you start to feel it. If you like being away and alone, this is hands down the place for you. But if you have to get your city "fix", Boise is about 3 hours' drive, and Kennewick is about 2.5. Lewiston and Clarkston are about 3.5 hours away, but a very enjoyable drive through either Enterprise or Walla Walla. However, there is a white-knuckle cliff-hanger section if you go the Enterprise route. In the winter, if you get out of the bowl that defines the Grande Ronde Valley, you had better have contingency plans in case you can't get back in, as every direction involves going over a pass. And always ALWAYS check your gas gage.
The police and sheriffs are cordial, have a good presence, and keep the region together quite well. LaGrande is a clean town, with kempt homes, and I didn't notice many- how shall I put it- car collectors. (However, Elgin is a different story.) And to top it off, the LaGrande Post Office actually delivers your mail instead of throwing it away!
The con for me was the inability to connect with people. At least half have been in the area for generations. They are cordial, but that's about all you'll get. I'm older and single, and I don't go to church (or ski, or golf), so there is that, but if you are a church-goer, the valley has the whole gamut of religions, from Mennonite to Mormon. I spent a lot of winter time walking the dog and reading. Archives is a very good used book, game and vinyl store, where I have spent a lot of time. Jax Dog Cafe has some new books, and there is another small used book store across Adams Avenue from there.
Another con is that people tend to dump their hunt carcasses in any turnout or creek, which has resulted in a high level of yellowjackets. The county needs to get on top of this, as it is also bringing in coyotes, wolves, bears and mountain lions. I walk and hike A LOT, and I see things, right at the city limits, which is more than a little unnerving. But yes, wildlife abounds! No doubt about that!!! Birding is phenomenal.
I was going to give LaGrande four stars, but decided that if I wasn't old, I would be able to take advantage of more that it has to offer.