About Corvallis
So… what’s there to like about Corvallis, Oregon? Let me tell you! Corvallis has that small town feel with big town sophistication. A refreshing, warm, welcoming college town, centrally located between the big cities of Eugene and Salem and just close enough to the Oregon Coast (its the coast here, not the beach) or the mountains to allow for day trips that could include crabbing, whale watching, fishing, boating or a quick ski outing. Because of its central location, Corvallis also offers easy access to local wineries, lush forests, antique stores (also to be found in surrounding communities) and art galleries. Corvallis is a great place to grow up, earn a living, settle down, retire, enjoy a second home or own investment property.
Partially because OSU (Oregon State University) is central to the town, Corvallis has a vibe that can’t be reproduced. The young and young-at-heart are very active in this community. There is always something going on… art, music, theater, lectures and sporting events and more. Annual events like DaVinci Days and Corvallis Fall Festival contribute to the fun.
You may want to take a stroll or ride your bike long the Corvallis Riverfront and enjoy the view of the Willamette River, check out a variety of art pieces, shop or stop and enjoy a meal (lots of great eating establishments along the river and downtown). From early spring to late fall, Riverfront Park is home to the Corvallis Farmers Market an open air market where you can get fresh fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, living plants and other local goods. In winter you can find the Farmers Market at the Benton County Fair Grounds.
(video tour of Riverfront Park and the Riverfront Area of Downtown Corvallis)
Corvallis is a town with loads of creative genius. Corvallis is famous for producing writers, entertainers, artists and for some pretty famous inventions, like maraschino cherries (modern), Meredith Brooks, the original Gidget, Brad Bird (Pixar-animator),Linus Pauling (two time Nobel prize winner), Jon Krakauer (writer and mountaineer), just to name a few. I recently learned that the computer mouse was invented by Doug Engelbart who lived in Corvallis and attended Oregon State University. You can see an expanded list of notable people from the Corvallis area on Wikipedia.
Oregon State University is the states oldest institution of higher learning, founded originally in 1858 as Oregon Agricultural College. OSU offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields. OSU is Oregon’s main source of applied research in forestry, agriculture, fisheries, engineering, electronics, home economics and environmental sciences. OSU is part of the Pac 10 Conference which is one of the major conferences in the nation.
Corvallis ranks high on any number of desirable lists relating to livability–It’s known as bike friendly, “green”, and safe. Just a few are listed below. Check out the complete list of Rankings and Recognition at Wikipedia.
- The League of American Bicyclists gave Corvallis a gold “Bicycle-Friendly Community” designation in May 2003, one of only four such cities in the nation as of 2006.
- Frommer’s Travel Guides, Cities Ranked & Rated ranks Corvallis as the 10th best city of any size in the United States and Canada.
- The February 2004 issue of the Harvard Business Review ranks Corvallis as the 15th most creative city in the nation.
- Bike at Work listed Corvallis as the 9th best city in the nation “As a car free community” (2005).
- Men’s Journal ranked Corvallis as “The 8th best place in the nation to live” in 2003. In April 2005, they moved Corvallis up one place to 7th.
- Expansion Management selected Corvallis as a “Five-Star Knowledge Worker Metro”, the highest rating achievable (2005).
- A survey by the National Science Foundation found Corvallis ranks second in the nation for the number of scientists as a percentage of total employment (12.7 percent) as of 2006.
- Corvallis was the first city on the West Coast and only the third city in the nation to receive the “Green Power Community” designation by the EPA (2006).
- In 2006, the Morgan Quitno Awards ranked Corvallis as the 20th safest city (of 344) in the 13th Annual America’s Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities publication for metropolitan areas of its size.
- In 2007 Farmers Insurance ranked Corvallis as the Number One Most Secure Place to Live for a city of it’s size.
A little history…Corvallis was originally settled in 1845 and was first called Marysville for an early settler named Mary Lloyd. In 1847 Marysville residents formed Benton County and named it for Thomas Hart Benton. In 1853, Marysville was renamed Corvallis, which is Latin for “Heart of the Valley.”
Today, Corvallis is known for its great cultural and recreational opportunities, including parks, bike paths, golf courses, water sports, museums, theaters, festivals, art and civic organizations. It seems that there is always something going on and something to do rain or shine.
What about the Weather? Corvallis is a full season community with generally temperate climate. The potential for a sunny day in January is about 20% and reaches a high of about 70% in July and August. With annual rainfall of forty inches, Corvallis actually gets less rain than New York, Chicago or Miami. Summer is pleasant, with an average maximum of 80 degrees between July and August. On those rare days when the temperature reaches 90 degrees and above, a cool breeze often comes in from the Coast and cools it down in the afternoon.
Temperatures in the 40′s are common in the winter months. Occasional snow fall creates winter excitement and averages about 5.9 inches per year. It usually doesn’t stay around for longer than a day or two. There’s nothing quite as wonderful as the sights and feel the seasons change. In fall one appreciates the new crispness in the air as the days start to shorten and the leaves start to turn. Spring brings the early blossoms from bulbs waking from a winter sleep. There’s nothing quite as exciting as the squalls that roll in with tumbling clouds, showers, blue patches with sunshine, rainbows (watch closely and you might see a double), then possibly another storm. Slow, warm, sunny days of summer are perfect for time on the water, biking or other activities, or just for slowing down and working in the garden. Winter flies by with opportunities close by for winter sports or simply cozy times by the fireplace.
Education is a priority in Corvallis, from elementary through middle and high schools, and continuing into higher education with Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University.
The Corvallis 509J School District is recognized as one of the top school districts in the Pacific Northwest. Its amazing what a group of caring individuals can accomplish. Parents are encouraged to be involved. Teachers and administrators really care about the school and the students. Volunteers raise funds for things like playgrounds, computer equipment, field trips and athletic events. When I’m asked what the best school is, my only response can be “They are all great! Check them out for yourself. Only you can know how your child will “fit.” Schools are dynamic environments, made up of students, teachers, administrators and parents, they are changing all the time.
Linn-Benton Community College is one of Oregon’s largest two year community colleges and offers general education courses, professional technical training, lower-division college transfer courses, continuing education classes, lifelong learning opportunities, distance education, and credit courses during evening hours or weekends. Students can earn a degree without having to attend class on weekdays. Students who attend Linn-Benton come from Linn County and Benton County equally. The school also offers adult basic education programs and education programs for students with disabilities.
LBCC & OSU Degree Partnership Program is a time saving, cost saving educational opportunity program by which you can enroll in both Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University simultaneously! The two are approximately 15 minutes from each other. Once you fill out a single application you can have access to student fee based services at both schools. Financial aid is offered to qualified students who are enrolled in both.
Top employers in the area are Oregon State University and Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Hewlett-Packard. Corvallis also has any number of entrepreneurial businesses, many affiliated or supporting the larger employers in the area. High tech, scientific and service related businesses abound in this busy town.
There are a great many opportunities for anyone considering relocating to Corvallis or the mid-Willamette Valley. There is a huge variety of types of homes, from acreage to condos, historic and new construction. If you’re considering a move to Corvallis, contact me for a free relocation package and/or current listings. I’m happy to help. Give me a call at 541-740-3844 or drop me a line at dbehrens@valleybrokers.com
Take a tour of Corvallis during Fall — this slide show is a collage of photos and clips from all over town and on the Oregon State University (OSU) Campus
Other helpful links:
Corvallis Tourism (Visitors Bureau)
Corvallis Gazette Times Newspaper
City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department
Fountain at Riverfront Park, Corvallis, OR
Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated.