r/Eugene • u/Austin_Jen • 29d ago
Moving to Eugene soon, looking for other Texas transplants....how do you like it there? Moving
Just curious for those who have moved from Texas to Eugene, what do you think? Any words of wisdom?
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
I made that move and love it. It is difficult to sum up because they have very little in common as states. The culture here is quieter, not hierarchical, there is none of that macho undercurrent and even anger Texas can have. It is also almost an introverted culture so you will notice less chattiness. People are very nice and kind though.
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u/Silenity 29d ago
Not Texas but a Louisiana transplant. The food is the hardest thing to get over. So definitely make sure you have some of your favorite recipes and southern comfort food meal options ready! Cus you'll be hard pressed to find anything that matches it out here.
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u/AnonymousHungDaddy 29d ago
For real, I just went back to Texas for 10 days and I ate Mexican food every single day
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u/Austin_Jen 29d ago
Y'all are great! These comments make me feel better about our decision to join you. Husband LOL regarding the "it's no HEB" comment. I think that's the thing he will miss the most. Keep the comments coming.
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
I think the HEB love is in some ways just cultural- we used to go every day almost and saw the same people all the time. But objectively I am not sure it is amazing or different. We are going back to Texas soon for a visit and we will see what we think!
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u/amunlav97 29d ago
From Houston, and I don’t love it here. People are nice and nature is nice, but it’s very lonely if you’ve never lived in a small town.
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u/oregon_coastal 29d ago
It is funny to hear Eugene mentioned as a small town :)
Different contexts and all that
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29d ago
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u/oregon_coastal 29d ago
If you live next to the Siuslaw out on the coast like me, it is downright metropolitan ;-)
But I lived in Beijin for 2 years. And San Paolu / Curitiba for a while. So Eugene is downright adorable in that context.
I am just amused by perspective and context, I suppose.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Key-879 29d ago
agreed ! compared to Texas (which basically just has the four mega-cities . . . and maybe El Paso), Eugene really does have those small town vibes.
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u/AnonymousHungDaddy 29d ago
It is beautiful here and people are nice in person, but I don’t feel like I’ll ever get invited to a barbecue or to a different location besides the bar that I’ve met that person in. It feels very superficial.
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
Maybe invite them for a hike? That seems to be what people do here. No barbecues right now in the drizzle I guess….
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
I know what you mean- I am thinking I will take the train to Portland when I have those city moods. I haven’t done it yet but the train is so convenient and it might be a nice day.
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u/Easy_Property_3925 29d ago
t-EX-an here. Been here about a year. Quite a bit of culture shock at first. I love it here, the outdoors, community, plenty of things happening to keep my family busy. My husband, on the other hand, is not happy with the move. He’s miserable. There are a LOT of ex Texans here. I swear we should start a social club.
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
I think a social club could be fun because no one understands the extremity of this move like us. There would be a lot to talk about!
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
I bought one of those lights you shine on yourself in the morning and it is helping with my first year- I think at first the lack of sunshine is jarring in the winter. I am noticing I need to plan social stuff more and develop activities- the people are less spontaneously social here. I used to walk in my neighborhood in Texas and people would be sitting on their lawns with other neighbors drinking beer and chatting. It would be every 10 houses or so you would see it. It is not like that here. I love it here overall but it is missing that aspect.
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u/Thorny_white_rose 29d ago
Made the move this past Summer, was totally worth it.
Words of wisdom: if you drive here, brace for worst case scenarios and don’t put yourself on a time crunch. Otw here my car got a flat, had a pet emergency, and then got food poisoning. So budget a few extra days of need be… Also people are a lot more reserved here, but when you find your community, they are lovely :)
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u/Proud_Cauliflower400 29d ago
I swear Texans are the new Californians.
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u/FloBot3000 29d ago
I do rideshare... SO MANY TEXANS moving here. Other than the California students that are temporarily here, Texas is number one for migration here.
Also, Texans turn out the most for the big track events here.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Key-879 29d ago edited 29d ago
recent addition from Houston, Texas! just made the roadtrip over this month. so far, the sensation of being both cold AND wet for several days has been . . . an adjustment. but discovering Winco (woo! almost HEB prices) and seeing the beautiful mountains in the distance makes it worth it.
upsides - fresh air. very walkable (near the city center). most stores seem to be idependently owned. plus, there's a good selection of cozy breweries & bakeries to sit and read at.
downsides - cold and wet. dancing/club scene is nonexistant (though maybe i just need to find a club that does monthly Latin nights). and i miss the diverse food scene.
my main tip is to get a set of flannel/"warm" sheets. you know that heavenly sensation in the middle of August when you flop down on your cool cotton sheets ? same thing. flannel sheets keep your bed nice and cozy for you, even when your room is freezing.
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u/LabyrinthJunkLady 29d ago
The Vets Club has had Salsa on Friday nights for probably a couple decades, Tuesday nights at The Big Dirty and I think Cowfish has been doing a Latin night as well.
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u/FloBot3000 29d ago
The Dirty is closing :-(
But my friend said she did salsa regularly at Laurelwood golf course bar.
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u/phukew 29d ago
The club and dancing scene has always been shit. Sorry to disappoint you. Maybe try Portland?
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u/Puzzleheaded-Key-879 29d ago
lol that's what I've heard. I primarily moved here for the outdoors & better living, so I'm willing to trade my wild Friday nights for access to real hiking trails.
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u/giantstrider 29d ago
I'm from Texas. I grew up there until I was 30 and then moved to Tennessee for 10 years before moving here.
I love it. It felt like finally coming home.
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u/bksi 29d ago
Moved about five years ago. So. Much. Green. In the spring it's like living in a flower nursery. It's cold. Like I'm cold all the time - so cold I'm considering moving to southern California. Buy wool socks, not cheap acrylic ones, get a really warm jacket/coat, long underwear, sweaters. You won't outrun allergies, air quality here is terrible, springtime pollen rivals Cedar Fever, then wildfires clog the air with particulates, then people burning wood for heat and we're downwind of the "Grass Seed Capital of the World." Property crime is off the charts. Lousy Mexican food. No bugs! Yay! I can go outside without getting swarmed by mosquitos.
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u/Austin_Jen 28d ago
Wool sock brand recommendations?
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u/FloBot3000 29d ago
As a rideshare driver, I've met TONS of recent Texas transplants. And they seem to be happy with their choice so far.
Seems high paying jobs might be fewer here, since Texas has so many large oil and tech companies.
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
I would not move here without already having a job- I know people consider that type of thing but Eugene would not be the place for it. I meet a lot of people struggling without a good job here.
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u/loxxiv 29d ago
Don't get me wrong I think y'all are cool but, why do we have so many Texan transplants? is it cuz it's so big?
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u/Austin_Jen 29d ago
Different for everyone, but for us it's getting too hot here in Texas. Water is going to be an issue in the future. As far as natural beauty goes Oregon has Texas beat. You have way more public land than we do. Our current city is getting too big for our preferred way of life. Looking for a slower pace, live and let live culture, with friendly non-pretentious people. From what we've experienced with our many visits we think Eugene fits the bill.
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u/FloBot3000 29d ago
If you get the right gear, you go hiking and exploring even in the rainy months. It's actually pretty magical and once you get moving you are plenty warm. With the right gear. Get the lifetime REI membership, it more than pays for itself. Layers and waterproof shoes are a must if you want to make the most of it.
The coast... THE COAST! So much to explore!
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u/CraigsCuriosities 29d ago
It doesn't based on what you just said. You absolutely should keep looking. New Mexico actually sounds like what you're looking for.
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u/SquirrellyGrrly 29d ago
My child is trans. Texas labeled healthcare for trans children child abuse, and started prosecuting it even if it occurred before the time they labeled it that, when it was simply the best medical advice of the child's medical and mental health team. My husband is a mandatory reporter. He could either report himself and lose his job, or fail to report and lose his job.
We wanted to move somewhere that felt supportive, with more personal freedoms. We found Eugene and found home. Four whole beautiful seasons. Milder weather. Kinder people. Less gun violence. A community we could be proud of. Signs up at local businesses welcoming our child, welcoming PoC, welcoming people of all nationalities and creeds. Places to shop and eat and support that aren't just huge corporate chain stores. Public land. BIKE LANES. Connecting parks that allow us to walk instead of drive, spending our time enjoying the outdoors and the wild geese, ducks, birds and squirrels. We are so glad to be here.
I sincerely hope other Texas transplants see how superior things are in every way and don't try to make it as backwards and awful as Texas. I can guarantee my family won't.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Key-879 29d ago
Not sure how well you keep up with current Texas anti-trans news, but as of August 2024, folks are no longer able to change the gender on their driver's licenses. And there's not an option to update your birth certificate to reflect a new name/gender (or if there is, it's no longer listed on the Dept of Texas website, and the information is hard to find).
Also, at the Univeristy of Houston, the LGBT Center lost the university's funding and the LGBT social org was dissolved for a year. Admittedly, it was in 2022/2023, so I can't remember the exact law that caused it, but it was either the one targeting LGBT teachings in schools, or the diversity & inclusion one.
In short, great call to head out when yall did. I can't imagine things improving in 2025.
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u/Austin_Jen 29d ago
I hear you and agree with every point you are making. I did not want to politicize my post, but another reason for our move from Texas to Eugene is the punishing politics of Texas. It does not seem as if we are shifting blue, just the opposite. So we've decided start over in a place that shares our values. Glad to know your move was positive. Hope to meet more like-minded Texas transplants.
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
I didn’t want to post politics either but I think it has gotten so bad in Texas and most people around the country have no idea. It will get worse- they bought land near the border to set up detention centers there for miles and miles. It is interesting to talk to lifetime blue-state people here because they really cannot fathom what is already happening in Texas- I am not sure people even believe it. It scares me to think how bad things can get because I have seen it and I hope the country resists so much darkness and hate.
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u/Austin_Jen 29d ago
This...exactly.
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
When you move you will notice the difference immediately. There is less of a feeling of threat (not sure the right word).ps I do think we should have an ex-Texas coffee get together with all of us who made the move. It is an unusual situation! Fleeing refugees….
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u/Austin_Jen 29d ago
Yes! Would love to meet Ex-Texans who've moved to Eugene. We hope to be moving there this summer. So if ya'll get a group started please count us in. We'll need new friends.
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u/OriginalDizzyDevill 29d ago
No Sales Tax Is A Plus & If 420 Friendly It's Legal Here. My Bosses Wife Moved Here From Texas & Likes It So Far.
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u/Melodic-Trust-5898 29d ago
Personally I think mannerisms are a lot different here and have effected social dynamic especially with after covid. There are jaw-dropping sights to see here in terms of geography and seasons but not biggest fan of the rain and cold most of the year.
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u/Austin_Jen 29d ago
I hear you about the rain and cold, that's something we are concerned about. Yet, hoping we will adapt in time. Never know until you try, right.
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u/AnonymousHungDaddy 29d ago
I made the move back in February, the cold is cold because it’s humid, the rain is more of a nuisance kind of rain. It’s not like we have in Texas. It’s more of a steady sprinkle for a lot of the year, and the grass grows like crazy until July and then it all dies Until it starts raining again around now. Oh yeah no thunderstorms to speak of, I did hear thunder one day and in the what’s happening in Eugene group people were posting about it, so if you enjoy thunderstorms, go outside in Texas and enjoy them while you can lol
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
You do adapt- everyone just puts on their raincoat and goes. No umbrellas for some reason. I was told that using an umbrella shows you are not from here.
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u/Tigertigertie 29d ago
The summer and Fall are amazing though. Maybe the spring, too (I just moved over the summer). It is all a tradeoff I guess.
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u/Infinite-Ad6560 29d ago
I lost power for 9 days in january this year in springfield so yes oregon power putages happen. I have both battery backup and gas generator which will move with me to texas when i retire
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u/GimpyAssGamer 26d ago
Been here 8 months. It’s great. People that do talk to you are generally nice, and the ones that don’t talk to you are probably nice, too. You don’t have to say hi to everyone is the first rule I had to learn.
In one day I saw a lady on 11th by Carl Junior’s dumping her intestine’s life savings while standing up and leaning slightly over her shopping cart, 5 minutes later I saw someone blowing drugs up another person’s ass, 10 minutes later I saw an older couple walking down the road holding hands while the 80+ year old, 5’2 elder wore a huge Gandalf hat. I love it here.
Also get use to (and play along) people complaining of traffic. They get like 14 minutes of traffic twice a day and everyone loses their shit. I’m from DFW, but I know Austin has its traffic issues. These people don’t understand I35 traffic to get 5 miles away taking you at least 45 minutes.
I find the people here more genuine and accepting. They are much nicer than people back home.
Welcome!
Pro tip: If you need home improvement stuff, skip Lowe’s and HD, go to Jerry’s. The customer service is some of the best I have ever encountered.
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u/Infinite-Ad6560 29d ago
I intend on retiring to mcallen texas my brother in law lives there. Its cold in oregon i lived in this state most of my life. I hate cold
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u/WifeofBath1984 29d ago
You hate the cold so Texas is your choice???? That seems ... totally insane. Seems like there are a lot better options out there.
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u/Infinite-Ad6560 29d ago
I went on vacation with my wife 2 x to mcallen while her mom was still alive i fell in love with the area. Cost of living is cheaper then oregon sonis the housing market
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u/Austin_Jen 29d ago
Wishing much luck and a lovely future in Texas. I've lived here my whole life and am just ready for a change. Sounds like you are too. Hope that Texas will treat you well.
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u/Melodic-Trust-5898 29d ago
McAllen is a great choice! Personally moved away from the RGV about 2 years ago. Love the change in weather and seasons here but I miss the sunshine and I think it affects people’s attitude a whole lot lol.
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u/thefuck-up 29d ago
don't red my blue, hickey
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u/SquirrellyGrrly 29d ago
Texas transplant, here. I was forced out of Texas to protect my trans child and am happily adding to the blue of Eugene.
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u/thefuck-up 29d ago
that's what I'm talking about! welcomed to a friendly town if you aren't a hateful bigot. it's about a healthy intolerance to intolerance. don't red my blue.
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u/Silenity 29d ago
this gross ass attitude is why people see smarmy liberals as elitist.
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u/thefuck-up 29d ago
idgaf what they see me as. they spout the same anti lib rhetoric. fuck off with your moral grandstanding
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u/Right-Holiday-2462 29d ago
What exactly about OP have you decided to hate so much? Is it the state they’re literally moving from to come to a more liberal environment? Do you personally know OP? I guess I’m asking because that’s a shitty fucking attitude to have, let alone contributing absolutely nothing at all to this conversation, and you just seem like a tired asshole no one wants anything to do with.
Sounds to me like you should get the fuck out.
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u/darkchocoIate 29d ago
Moved a year ago from a Texas suburb, love it here. People might talk about gas prices, but there aren’t tolls here. Two year car registration, no inspection. Less wear and tear on vehicles from heat and overuse. Car insurance is WAY cheaper. Home insurance, WAY cheaper. Property tax, way cheaper. Energy costs are the same maybe, all things considered given how much AC Texans use. Food is higher, but fresh produce is easier to get. The lack of an HEB is my single greatest regret; Fred Meyer is our easiest option and it sucks. If you’re from Dallas you’ll know the Kroger brand.
Income tax can be rough, but no sales tax is great.