What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Corvallis, OR?
Corvallis, Oregon is situated in the Willamette Valley and is well known for its breathtaking views. It’s located within driving distance of the Oregon coast and Portland.
The inviting streets are lined with trees, galleries, boutiques, wineries, and museums. The year-round culture and fast-paced lifestyle are sure to keep you busy. Even though the town has an urban feel, it also has a small-town atmosphere to give you the best of both worlds.
For the days when relaxing is your goal, there are plenty of ways to give yourself some much-needed TLC. Kick back on a hammock, gaze at the mountains, go hiking, catch some fish, or lounge around by the water.
There are many pros to living in Corvallis! Lots of art, galleries, shows, wineries, and festivals that will provide you with plenty of culture as well as entertainment. Excellent education is the heart of the community. It’s located near several bodies of water that allow for great fishing, swimming, and boating. The options for biking, hiking, and hunting are endless. The cons include a low average age, so it’s not geared towards retirees, a seller’s real estate market, and lots of rainy, cloudy days.
Keep reading to find out more about Corvallis and why you may want to move there!
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What Are The Pros Of Living In Corvallis, Oregon?
As you will see, there are many things to consider when deciding if you want to commit to moving or not. Let’s take a look at a few of the pros to see if they fit your needs.
Arts & Culture
Immerse yourself in the festivals, art shows, art galleries, and culture. You can stumble upon live music or productions any given weekend during the summer months. Or, if live entertainment isn’t your thing, head into the Corvallis Museum and check out all of the exhibits. You’ll see everything from art to artifacts.
Fantastic Sites
You can take a stroll downtown and view all the little shops, head to the farmers market, or simply take a drive in the country. There is so much to see and do; it’s impossible to get bored.
There are several historic walking tours and self-guided driving tours. Don’t forget to take a camera to snap some pics of the impressive buildings, homes, and stunning trees along the way. Hunting, fishing, swimming, bird watching, and hiking are just a few of the reasons why Corvallis has become such a popular destination.
As you take in the views, you will see beautiful mountain peaks summoning you to go on an adventure. The fresh air and dense forest give you even more reasons to enjoy the great outdoors.
Trails
Nestled in Oregon on the west side, there is an abundance of outdoor recreation. Whether you are interested in hiking, biking, or enjoying nature walks, there is so much to see and do. Here are just a few of the possibilities:
- McCulloch Peak Loop – Bring good shoes and plenty of water if you decide to test your abilities with this 7.1 mile trail. It’s not for the faint of heart or beginner!
- The Old Growth Trail – Great for families and beginners, this trail is only 1.5 miles. Beautiful towering trees, greenery, and peacefulness that’s hard to beat.
- Calloway Intensive Loop Trail – Tall trees canvas the walking trails to give you plenty of shade in the hot months. It’s well maintained, peaceful, and ideal for someone new to hiking or biking.
Fishing
In addition to the vast trails, there are plenty of lakes for outdoor water activities. Grab your fishing poles, kayaks, and family to go on an adventure to one of the nearby lakes or waterholes.
- Freeway Lakes – Located within 15 miles of Corvallis, it’s a great location to enjoy some relaxing solitude. Plus, you can catch some large trout and crappie.
- Waverly Lake – A short drive from Corvallis, Waverly Lake greets you with a giant duck floating in the middle. Stocked with rainbow trout, it’s a relaxing spot to catch dinner.
- Foster Reservoir – The sites at Foster Reservoir are stunning. In addition to fishing, you may spot a northern spotted owl or western pond turtles during your visit.
- McKenzie River – Go on a wild adventure white water rafting or partake in some fly fishing. It’s around an hour away from Corvallis but completely worth the trip. Spend the day soaking up the fun, or stay longer and do some camping.
A Wine Lovers Dream
Corvallis takes wine tasting pretty seriously! Why? Because it’s relaxing, fun, and a great way to spend an afternoon. Many of the wineries are nationally known for their delicious and elegant wines.
The hardest part is choosing which winery to go to first. No matter which one you go to, you can expect a great time! Take in the views, sip on wine and share laughs with friends. What’s better than that?
Comfortable Climate
If you hate being super cold in the winters and melting hot in the summers, you will enjoy the temperatures in Corvallis. During the harsh winter, you will find that the average temperature is between 40-50 degrees during the daytime. Even during the night, you can expect the temps to stay around the mid-30s.
During the summer months, an average day will be between 70 – 80 degrees. So it’s cool enough to still enjoy the great outdoors and not so hot you want to stay in all day. The temperatures tend to hang around the mid-50s at night. This is wonderful if you like to camp!
Outstanding Education Opportunities
When it comes to education, Corvallis is pretty top-notch. Whether you are looking for public or private schools, there are several options.
They have a charter school, alternative school, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. Finding quality education is easier when you have a variety of options to choose from.
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Oregon State University
The largest university in Oregon is Oregon State University! It first opened its doors and started teaching students in 1865, so it’s safe to say, it’s not going anywhere. The university is known for being innovative and offering high-quality education. There are students who come from all over the world to attend this university.
Head to Reser Stadium and join Beaver Nation with 43,000 other fans and watch an OSU football game. These fans are serious about their beloved team, and it’s impossible not to have a great time.
What Are The Cons Of Living In Corvallis, Oregon?
While there aren’t a ton of cons, there are a handful of things that could alter your decision to move.
Rain & Cloudy Days
If your favorite thing to do is spend your day out soaking up the sun, you may be a little disappointed. On average, there are 159 days of sunshine which is below the national average of 205 days.
Don’t let it get you down; most of the cloudy and rainy days take place during the months of November through March. Just like most places to live in the continental US, the gray rainy months are during the time when you probably aren’t spending as much time outside anyway.
On average, you can expect around 51 inches of rain in the area each year. If you love rain, then this won’t even be a concern.
Housing Market Shortage
One of the reasons why Corvallis is a hot spot is because it’s a college town. This is wonderful for local shops and businesses but a downfall for the real estate market.
The state average of homeownership is around 63%, but in Corvallis, it’s only 43%. College students tend to rent and very few will buy, because they aren’t planning to stay a long time.
When it comes time to purchase a home, you will most likely find that there aren’t as many houses on the market as in other cities. This is great for sellers because it’s often a seller’s market, so they are going to get top dollar for their properties. That means as a buyer, you are going to pay more to get what you want, and there isn’t going to be as much to choose from.
Low Median Age
The average age of a person living in Corvallis is 27 years old. Being a college town definitely drops that number tremendously.
As you can imagine, this isn’t a popular spot for older individuals looking to retire. Only around 12% of the population is over the age of 65. Don’t count it out if you are in this age bracket; just take into consideration, there may not be a lot of people your age to get to know.
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Summing It Up
Corvallis, Oregon is a beautiful place to live with cascading mountains, stunning trees, and an abundance of things to see and do. The biggest downfalls are a few more cloudy days than elsewhere, younger generations, and an interesting housing market! It’s essential to decide which things matter most to you and your family. Then take the good with the bad and enjoy your new stomping grounds.
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Paige is an elementary school librarian with a passion for writing. Her hobbies include reading an exorbitant amount of fantasy, slowly teaching herself to draw, and home decor. While she isn't the most talented artist or interior designer, what she lacks in skill she more than makes up for in enthusiasm. When she's not curled up with a book, you can certainly find her curled over the keyboard.
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