r/Eugene 5d ago

Louisville -> Portland or Eugene? Moving

My wife and I (both 30, no plan to have kids) are planning to move to Oregon, and visited Portland for a couple weeks in December as a test run. Loved it even through all the rain.

We didn't get a chance to visit Eugene, but are considering it primarily for:

  • Access to natural sights, parks, hiking, etc.
  • Relatively cheaper than Portland
  • Smaller city, may be an easier adjustment going from KY to OR, having never made a cross-country move before.

Some info about us: - I'm a remote developer, so no need to worry about finding work. - My wife needs to see a healthcare specialist twice a year due to some genetic health issues, and regularly needs to fill some important prescriptions. I saw a comment where this can be a struggle in Eugene, and would be curious about others' experiences. - We plan to stay in an AirBNB for a week or 2 while we find somewhere to rent long-term. Eventually may look for a house, but for now looking to rent. - We love being around nature, and want to be able to garden. - I like to make electronic music (Ableton + Elektron gear). - We are a couple of nerds; we'd be more drawn to libraries/universities than we would bars, if that tells anything.

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u/Aithon22 5d ago

I’ve lived in Eugene for fifty years, and regularly visit Portland. I’d pick Portland for the experimental music scene, art museum, public transportation, food, bridges. You can take the train between the two, and when in Portland get around on Max, streetcar, and buses. I love Portland!

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u/Aithon22 5d ago

My experience with healthcare in Eugene has been good, but many people have had difficulty getting a doctor. Eugene has no hospital, but Springfield has two. From my home near downtown it’s nearly an hour on the bus to get to the hospital. It’s crazy, but we drove our hospital out of town.

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u/El_Bistro 5d ago

Springfield and Eugene are functionally the same town. Idk why it’s such a big deal river bend just happens to be a mile over the interstate in Springfield.

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u/Betty_the_crow 5d ago

Until "the big one" happens and the overpasses and bridges become unstable...

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u/El_Bistro 5d ago

I’m not planning my life around an earthquake that might never happen. That’s stupid. Also Riverbend will probably fall into the McKenzie due to soil liquefaction anyway.

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u/DragonfruitTiny6021 5d ago

"Riverbend will probably fall into the McKenzie due to soil liquefaction anyway" - without an earthquake

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u/BattleIntrepid3476 5d ago

I like your style