Louisville -> Portland or Eugene?

[u/pataphor_]

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.

[u/Smooth_Row_3563]

I have lived in Eugene for 14 years. I’m from Louisville. I am here because I’m an avid outdoorsman and this was my driving factor. Also prior to this I lived in San Francisco for years and chose Eugene because it was a smaller city that still had most if not all big town amenities. I moved here when I was 31. Even though I’m constantly out doing outdoor things in my area, I never run out of things to do and new places to explore. This wouldn’t be any different in Portland, and honestly you may have even more options (faster access to well known mountains that are slightly bigger and crazier). When doing these outdoor activities from Portland area, you are competing with Portland and the greater Seattle area residents as well. That’s a LOT of people at the trailheads, parks, etc. This is my main detracting reason why I didn’t choose Portland. I do make special trips to the WA cascades and Mt hood areas but it’s nice to have the same quality out the back door with a tiny fraction of the people. I made more close life long friends in my first couple years in Eugene than ten years in SF. People are generally less jaded here. I go to Portland a few times a year for shows but the university keeps the arts and lecture scene here alive and well. Also many of those shows come through Eugene on weeknights before heading up to Portland, so you seldom have to travel to see a good band. Some other thoughts: -Homeless people are part of life in both areas and you have to be ready for this. -Eugene gets way less rain than Portland, and it’s easier to escape bad weather by adjusting your adventures by going to the coast vs mountains, or running further south a couple hours (CA climate is only three hours south of here as far as the outdoors is concerned) -you’re going to take a hit on ethnic diversity in Eugene. This is the same with restaurants. Your options will be less here, and they aren’t usually fantastic. -the hospital problems are a thing, but they aren’t terrible. Many people from all over Oregon come to Eugene/springfield for medical treatments -choose your neighborhood wisely. I love the older parts of town but to each their own. -I’ve lived many places, but I like it here the most