Missing! Living in Eugene, Oregon. And we're starting right now. Welcome to our YouTube channel, everyone. My name is Laurie Howes and I am a realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Eugene Springfield. Today we're going to talk about the pros and the cons of living in Eugene, Oregon. So let's get started. We're going to start with those pesky cons so we can end on a high note with all those pros.


CON #1

If you've heard anything about Oregon, I'm sure you heard it rains a lot. The average rainfall in Eugene is about 47 inches a year. We do get a lot of rain. But that's what keeps the city so green. So you just really need to learn how to love the rain. Plus, you really learn to enjoy those sun breaks sprinkled throughout the winter when the sun pops out. However, year-round temperatures are very mild. Our wintertime temperatures average around 45 degrees and our summertime temperatures average around 82.

CON #2
Is allergy season. Allergy season runs from March through July with tree pollen from March, April and May. And grass pollen starts in May and runs through July 13th. Eugene is located at the end of the Willamette Valley. The Willamette Valley is the grass seed mecca of the world. So you can see why there's so much grass pollen here. So be sure and stock up on the allergy medication and plan to spend a few more days indoors during allergy season and that you get through just fine.

CON #3

Downtown parking. Most of the downtown parking is metered or there are pay lots. There are very few free lots to park in downtown. But Lane Transit bus service does have bus stations around town where you can park and ride. Free parking, so just park your car and hop the city bus and head on downtown.

CON #4
The city of Eugene has not quite figured out how to manage the homeless population, but they are working on it constantly to come up with strategies to help the unhoused. Eugene City Council is working with nonprofits to improve rest stops and tiny villages to move the unhoused into transitional housing.

CON #5

We have a housing shortage. The city of Eugene believes in infill, not urban sprawl. They are not going to extend the urban growth boundary anytime soon. Tracts of land for building out new neighborhoods are becoming very scarce within the city. Affordable housing is an issue.

Now let's move on to those pro's

PRO #1

Recreational opportunities are at your fingertips. Rafting, kayaking, hiking, camping and fishing. Are just a few options for the outdoor enthusiast.

PRO #2

Eugene is only one hour from the Oregon coast where you can enjoy long walks on the beach and then dine on some locally caught seafood. And to the east, again only one hour away are the Cascade Mountains. The mountains offer summertime camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and water skiing. During the winter, there's downhill and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing within an hour of the city.

PRO #3

The performing arts, there are several locations throughout the city where you can enjoy live performances. One is the Hult Center where you can take in an off-Broadway play or musical, the Eugene Ballet and the Eugene opera. Popular performers come and play at the Matthew Knight Arena, located on the University of Oregon campus throughout the year. And there are several small theaters within the city as well. They include the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, the Very Little Theater and the Actors Cabaret.

PRO #4

The great outdoors, walking, jogging, biking and walking your dog is all very popular here in Eugene and there are several places to do that. With 31 trails and 95 miles of walking/jogging paths in Eugene, you can always get out and enjoy a hike on Spenser's Butt, Skinners Butt or Mt. Pisgah and Moon Mountain City Park.

PRO #5

Breweries and wine tasting. After all that hiking, biking and dog walking, maybe a cold beverage is on order. There are 14 microbreweries in the Eugene area, 20 wine tasting rooms, and nearly all of them serve really great food!
 Well, that's a wrap, folks, I hope you've enjoyed these five cons and five pros.
If you want to learn more about Eugene and the surrounding area please subscribe to our YouTube channel as we post new video’s every Monday and Friday.
You all have a great week and we'll see you soon.
Team Howes