r/Eugene • u/pataphor_ • 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/EnthusiasmBroad5496 5d ago

We moved with our kids from Omaha (relative to the size of Louisville) to Eugene which is much smaller. Eugene is great, probably the only smaller city I’d live in. Portland is great too and an easy drive. Eugene is essentially Portland without 3 million people. It’s a very very active small city with a many trails, people are welcoming and enjoyable to talk to. Most people have interesting stories about living all over the country and world.

We couldn’t be happier here to be honest. Also the climate is steady, predictable and enjoyable all year long. Driving anywhere in Eugene is easy and close as well. Coming from a place the size of Louisville to Eugene you’ll feel like traffic is a thing from a previous life. In the summer the coast is an hour to the west. In the winter we go skiing an hour to the east, yet we don’t have any snow to shovel in Eugene. Cheers and good luck.