Eugene is known for its wealth of cultural and outdoor activities, which have earned it the nickname "Emerald City." It's located in western Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Willamette and McKenzie rivers. Temperatures are mild, ranging from the mid 30s in winter to the upper 70s in summer. Another plus: It's within a few hours of both Portland and Bend, Ore.
Overview
Eugene, which has a population of 144,018, calls itself the "World's Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors." It's hard to disagree: Eugene has an opera, symphony, ballet, independent movie theater, and 20 museums within a 30 mile radius. It also hosts a world-renowned Bach festival, and residents can tour the area's galleries and meet artists on Friday art walks. Major arts venues include the John Shedd Institute for the Arts and the Hult Center for the Performing Arts.
Eugene is located in the lush Willamette Valley, only a short drive from both beaches and mountains. A river with class II and III rapids make the area a kayaker's paradise. Walkers, joggers, and bikers enjoy more than 50 miles of trails. Twelve percent of Eugene employees commute to work by bike or foot.
The city, named after settler Eugene Skinner, was born from a single cabin and a trading outpost in 1846. Today, it's the second-largest city in Oregon. It's also an intellectual community enhanced by the University of Oregon (a bit of trivia: The university served as the location for the film National Lampoon's Animal House.) The university's Knight Library contains the largest research collection in the state, including more than 2.5 million volumes, and subscribes to nearly 17,000 journals. Co-ops, which are popular arrangements among students and citizens, bring Eugene together for food, utilities, and even child care. Many in Eugene appreciate the abundance of local organic food as well as the 54 wineries within 60 miles of the city.
Eugene Schools
The University of Oregon, which ranked 108 in U.S. News' tier-one list of national universities, is located in Eugene. The public university enrolls 16,681 undergraduates.
Eugene Health Care
Sacred Heart Medical Center is the area's major hospital.
Eugene Jobs
The University of Oregon and Sacred Heart Medical Center are among the area's biggest employers. Organic and natural foods also account for many jobs; employers include the Organically Grown Co. as well as the makers of It's Soy Delicious frozen dessert and Yogi Tea. Nike was launched in Eugene but has since moved its headquarters closer to Portland.
Eugene Real Estate
The average price of a home in Eugene is $282,923, but the foreclosure market offers homes for prices as low as $40,000.
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