Moving to Corvallis Video Series, Part 5: The Pros and Cons of Living in Corvallis, Oregon

[@totallysick88able]

He forgot to mention that there is a train that runs right through the middle of Corvallis that will blast its horn all night long most days of the week. Even with the windows shut, it’s loud enough to jolt you out of deep sleep. It actually became such an issue that I ultimately had to move. At one point I was getting 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night for multiple days in a row and I am not over exaggerating.

[@rclc161]

rain and grey all year sucks too

[@vivelavida8317]

I live in California and the 🚆 🚉 🚄 is loud. It doesn't matter where you live. 😂😂

[@rclc161]

@@Killswitch1411 Ok tell me I didn't live there for years....grey and rain mostly except for August and parts of July/Sep.

[@Killswitch1411]

@@rclc161 Its not a perpetual gray and rainy through out the year.. Weather is worse in Portland, with more gray and rainy days. You get plenty of nice days through out the year. I'm from the Midwest the weather is much worse and one extreme to another in the midwest. Being in Oregon for over 5 years this is perfect weather for those who don't want very cold or way too hot/Humid for long periods of time. The rain here doesn't make anyone not be able to enjoy the outdoors here.

[@rclc161]

@@Killswitch1411 agree to disagree. Lived in corvallis 4 years, lived in pdx 20 plus years they're pretty much the same.

[@bethfurry7461]

I thought it rained there until I moved to Florida. It is overcast in Oregon, but Florida Pelts down rain many times. The summer and fall in Corvallis is beautiful! Great for gardening!

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

I moved the opposite direction, from Florida to Corvallis. It drizzles here, it rains and storms on the east coast. This is very much gardeners paradise:)

[@peterhewitt7247]

Michael is quickly and succinctly delivering valid information. much appreciated, especially the driving tour video.

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Peter- wow, thank you for the positive feedback!! I really appreciate you

[@retrogamer2548]

The train keeps me up everynight since I moved to Corvallis. Hate it.

[@salvatoresikilacci8460]

Thank you Michael. Such an informative and well-made video. Corvallis seems very quaint.

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

I really appreciate the positive feedback:). Thank you for checking out our videos, Salvatore

[@Pratchettgaiman]

I remember years ago overhearing one person who had moved to Corvallis from Utah telling another person who had just made the same move “you’re going to want to die in the winter, but you’ll get used to it”.

[@dineshbamne5435]

Hi, my son is applying in OSU. Just want to make sure it is safe. Thanks for your vedio. 🙏🏻 ( India)

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

I feel this community is very safe in general. I hope your son gets accepted and has a good college experience!

[@ssrrss321]

This video is all about raising your property values and running out you and all your neighbors, and, of course, raising your rents beyond anything even remotely economically feasible. These are the people ruining your neighborhoods and raising your rents.

[@thesolforce8127]

This is good

[@lacarolish]

These videos are very informative. Thank you! I am considering moving from Los Angeles to Corvallis and trying to wrap my head around living in a smaller (population-wise) town. I've only lived in big cities (on both coasts), so this will be a major adjustment. LA is just getting too pricey and it's probably time to take a chance on moving elsewhere. So, again, thank you from a new subscriber.

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi carol, thanks! I’m here if you ever want to casually connect and discuss the area

[@rclc161]

Only thing you have to worry about is the grey and rain 9 months each year. Its hard to handle....and Im not joking you rarely see the sun 9 months each year its awful.

[@jesseferrer6736]

Have you moved yet? I’m thinking of moving my family there as well. I also live here in Los Angeles.

[@PUAlum]

Thanks for posting! It was so informative and well done.

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Thanks so much for the positive feedback!!

[@MrNandelin8]

Corvallis is one of the nicest places I have ever lived. Great Video!

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Thanks so much for your support!

[@anniedonahue3009]

Thank you - great info! We plan to be visiting soon and we’re wondering what living in Corvallis would be like. I didn’t find a hospital on the map and wonder if that might be an obstacle for people with health issues. Appreciate all the other things you covered and it does sound like a nice place!

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Annie, one of the main reasons people relocate here is the medical care. Samaritan (hospital) is right in town and there’s also the Corvallis clinic, lots of small providers and family medicine, dental practices, urgent care facilities, and health and fitness options. The medical care is a significant facet of the community:). Let us know if you’d like to be in touch prior to your visit, and thanks for checking out our videos!

[@d.e.7467]

Sorry if this is too late for any decisions that you might have made. As someone who hates requiring a lot of medical attention, Good Sam and the Corvallis Clinic are excellent. My doctor at the Clinic listens and if I've had an event through the hospital, I get a follow-up call to check on me. They are very comforting. I've spent more time than I like to think about in the hospital but the care has been over the top. Of course you're going to hear about people who hate it but I've discovered a not so secret, secret. First, assume the staff from the CNAs to your attending physician want to help. Next, be kind to them. They take a lot of verbal and even physical abuse. If you are kind, even though you don't feel well, they will look forward to entering your room. The hospital is a teaching hospital and you might fear getting an inexperienced doctor, but they're under the guidance of experienced staffs. The best part for my money is that I'm more likely to receive the latest treatment.

[@chadvanderlinden9548]

There should be a word or two said about the apocalyptic homeless problem here, likely related to the stratospheric rents and housing shortages.

[@The-GreenHornet]

Amen! to that! Thank you for saying that. The housing/rentals prices were SHOCKING to me when I first started thinking about moving to Corvallis area. I'd even consider living 20 minutes outside of Corvallis IF it made a difference in rental prices; which just assuming it probably wouldn't be too much of a difference. The homeless is another issue. Which includes thefts and drug problems that go along with it.

[@The-GreenHornet]

I'm currently thinking about possibly moving to Corvallis area. However let me be bluntly honest. Honesty IS the best policy. Even when it stings a little. I feel that the gentleman who made this video is biased being he is a local realtor. So of course he benefits from people moving there and possibly going through him for housing. That being said, I wish there was a no thrills unbiased tell it like it truly is report of the area. I have found more in the comments section of those who have or are living there. The train blasting its horn is one concern, as well as gray skies for 9 months out of the year, is a lot to consider. I suppose I could get used to those things. However... The PRICE of rentals are UNREAL!!!... $ 1,200-$1,550. for a nice clean safe apartment!!!? I currently pay half that for a two bedroom apartment here in eastern Arizona. I'm just completely tired of the HEAT here for 5+ months out of the year. Too hot to get out and want to do anything. The housing/rentals prices is what is a major concern/downer for me, in Corvallis.

[@CascadianFyn]

Unfortunately homelessness has become a big problem in Corvallis.

[@technolady9926]

I’m considering a move to Corvallis and recently had misgivings with the forest fires. Just watched this video and rekindled the interest in Corvallis. Thanks!

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Thank you for the friendly comment! Yes, the wildfires were scary. We had lots of smoke in this area, but were fortunately still far away from the evacuation and actual danger zones.

[@GrantValdes]

"rekindled" 😬

[@purnamanshrestha248]

Beautiful indeed

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Thanks for checking out our content! I hope it’s been helpful. There’s a driving tour playlist we are also working on that now has a couple of videos in it, too

[@tilden2690]

I had thought of moving to Oregon and spent last winter in Corvallis. I rarely saw the sun and it became depressing. You can't spend much time outdoors in the winter because it's always raining and the trails are muddy. Corvallis is a small town. The population is mostly white. If you are from a big city the cultural scene is limited with no major venues for music, theater, or dance. The restaurant choices are also limited if you are used to a wider variety. I think Corvallis would be good for raising a family or going to OSU but if you want a wide variety of culture and diversity, Portland or Eugene is much better. (But not the climate.). Speaking of which, because of climate change, the summers are becoming much hotter and there are many days in the 80's and 90's. So, I decided not to move to Corvallis or Oregon.

[@DeshierArchitecte]

Thanks for the video! What would you say the most significant differences between Corvallis and Eugene are, city-wise? I'm wondering as someone single and in my early 30s.

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Nick, Eugene is even more liberal feeling that Corvallis, and is also larger. I think Eugene is 3x the size. It’s a little more car culture since it’s bigger but still a very bicycle friendly community. Corvallis is historically slow growth, so things are more compact, and that also makes supply and demand more skewed here in Corvallis. Does that help? They’re both very appealing communities in many ways, and when I moved here I picked Corvallis because it wasn’t as large.

[@DeshierArchitecte]

@@OregonRelocationGuides That's very helpful, I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. Thanks Michael!

[@lishyy2616]

i’ve just been accepted here to OSU, what would you say the pros and cons are for a college student?

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Lishyy, congrats!!! That's excellent. I would think that going to college here would be a dream, but these things are subjective. It's easy to get around town, there's lots going on on campus and in downtown, OSU has a phenomenal reputation, and the mid valley in Oregon is a very pleasant place to live with a mild climate even though it does drizzle a lot. The rental market is tight, so what you need to do to find a good rental is look for a place to rent WAY early- like end of march and april, for a lease that will start in july. I have no idea if that applies to your situation, yet, but that's major. The other thing that comes to mind is just making sure that the size of the town is what you're looking for. Corvallis is neither a small town, nor a big city. If you're really looking for a much bigger place with even more nightlife, Corvallis might feel small being about 60k people plus students. I came here from Gainesville, Florida which was ~150k people, similar to the size of Eugene, Oregon. For me, those towns were a little too crowded and weren't as relaxing to commute in, so I love Corvallis being much smaller. Does that help?

[@lishyy2616]

@@OregonRelocationGuides absolutely, thanks so much for your help, im super excited to start in Fall

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

That’s awesome. Have a smooth transition into OSU! I’m here if I can ever be a resource for you. You’re making me realize I should make some videos for new students- I’m open to topic ideas!

[@rclc161]

I went there from 98 to 02. The cons are rain and grey weather.....and more grey and rain. You will see.

[@Jasper.191]

Me and my wife wanna move to Oregon from California, I am an IT guy so I need job security. Do you Corvallis is a good start up city for my family?

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Jasper, I don’t know much about the IT job market here, but this is a very safe community to be raising a family in. It’s very much an education based community, and people frequently move here to raise their children in the schools.

[@rclc161]

if you like rain all year move to Oregon

[@Cyborg1170]

Hi @Jasper I am am an IT Manager at the Middle school here in Corvallis. Have two degrees in Computer Science. I get about 60K per year running all of the middle schools & high schools server center. And make sure all of the laptops are secure for students. We have to push out updates every week to all the IPADs and Macbooks we give to students. I think the IT jobs are good here. But In California I was making 150K + , so it is a bit of a pay cut.

[@kellygunner1]

Whats your thoughts on albany oregon

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Kelly, thanks for checking out this video. There’s a lot to like about Albany. It’s not too big but there’s still plenty to do. There are some beautiful neighborhoods, some charming historic homes, a great downtown with lots of neat restaurants, and it’s a very outdoorsy community. Based on your channel you look very outdoor oriented:). The mid valley has lots of hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. I’m a target archer myself. Would love to connect with you.

[@rclc161]

Albany is crackheads and rain.

[@dennis2339]

@@OregonRelocationGuides Are you talking about Albany Oregon? Hahaha.

[@evootoast]

Corvallis is on my list to move to in the future. When I look on Zillow the inventory is low. Is buying land and building a good option? I don’t see many lots for sale either.

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Eva, feel free to give me a call at 541-207-6074. I would be happy to answer your questions directly!

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Hi Eva, the idea of buying land and building tends to be on peoples radar but then never seems to be what any of our clients actually end up doing. There isn’t a lot of easily buildable land for sale at any given moment, either, and construction costs are very high when you’re only building one house as opposed to a developer doing an entire neighborhood and leveraging the economy of scale in the process. Again, we’re happy to talk with you about it, I just never assume this ends up being the direction things go

[@The-GreenHornet]

​@@OregonRelocationGuides Anotherwards...the supply and demand is not beneficial for individuals. Developer's are controlling the market and the very few availabilities. Prices are extremely expensive and only going to go higher due to the lack of availability.

[@misslilly7379]

My husband and I moved to Corvallis 7 years ago and love the scenic beauty. Unfortunately, the majority of people here are NOT FRIENDLY. Nobody waves or says hello. Nobody smiles. I've never lived in such a cold community of people. That has been a huge turn off for us. There is also no shopping or activities to speak of unless you drive to Albany, Euguene, or Salem. We are now searching for a city with a friendlier vibe. All in all, it's been a huge disappointment.

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

Wow, I’m really sorry to hear that this has been your experience.

[@danaemicheleliechti3064]

@@OregonRelocationGuides Michael you seem very friendly. I met kind people at the farmers market, nice students at the university, nice people at the hotel I stayed at , and the owner of a shoe repair shop fixed my shoe for free. Kindness is out there.

[@dennis2339]

I've never seen someone smile so much in Corvallis, you must be genuine - oh wait, you're a realtor ! That explains a lot

[@nutritioncoachjo]

That’s not very nice! Did you expect him to frown unenthusiastically? 😏

[@dennis2339]

@@nutritioncoachjo Well I frowned when passing through Corvallis. Point is he is selling something that ain't true

[@The-GreenHornet]

​@@nutritioncoachjo Has nothing to do with not being nice. Honesty is always the best thing, even if it stings. What's far worse is the phony Nicy Nice persona. People are smarter than that and can discern sincerity over fake phonieness. Which is insulting to people's basic intelligence.

[@souslicer]

yeah but what about covid situation

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

We are all wearing masks and public venues are closed or limited capacity, so lots of take out food instead of dining in. Lots of people moving here from bigger cities now that they have permission to work remotely. Osu enrollment is actually UP. Let me know if that answers your question (?). Thanks for checking out the video!

[@ethanwild3301]

@@OregonRelocationGuides Hello! Do you know if OSU is open\opening back up? Thank you

[@OregonRelocationGuides]

@@ethanwild3301 Hi Ethan, it sounds like OSU is opening back up this summer from a conversation I had with someone earlier today. That being said, I have some rental properties, and most of them are rented to OSU students who have stayed even through the global health crisis. It sounds to me like some classes are in person, maybe with limited capacity (?). A lot of students are still here, and the demand in the rental market has been high despite the challenges of the past year.

[@dennis2339]

Corvallis locals are rude ! Where are all the Native Americans ? Oh wait, they were pushed to the reservations in the middle of nowhere - at least they have a casino

[@legendtong1056]

Spirit mountain FTW

[@krissykritter700]

Look at how many sex crimes and weirdness goes on with Oregon now. Creepy.