Moving to Eugene, OR

[Yosemite Sam]

Thank you for the thoughts and suggestions! If I can swing it so I could live in one of the outlying areas, yet not be too far from work, it would be great. I've been enjoying a 3 mile back road commute for most of the last 15 years and am not looking forward to increasing it.

It's really coming down to a decision of how much I want to impact my current lifestyle vs. how badly I want a new job. (Well, "Duh!"...)

FWIW, I am an Oregon CHL holder and have been ever since I moved here. I've lived in Corvallis for 14+ years now.

-- Sam

 

[slyguy]

I've only lived in Eugene for 40+ years and find the locale to be much preffered over many of the places I've lived in the state. You are right between the mountains and the beach. Yes, just like Portland but with a lot less people. The above posts list the more common places locally, but there are also other great shooting opportunities if you feel more adventurous. Look to explore the Wolf Creek area.
There are stronly opinionated people here from both side of the fence, but you've found that in Corvallis also.
Lastly, Eugene does offer some of the Best beer in the Norhtwest.
Cheers,
SLYGUY

 

[SCTSQRL]

SCTSQRL- You've NEVER been to the Baron's Den? I didn't even know they had guns for sale until about a year and a half ago. It's my favorite store in town now. They have a selection that is as good if not better than S-M, without all the negativity S-M provides. I've never shot at their range (even though I have a range pass) so I can't comment on that. If you are in Eugene and have never been there you should check it out.

Finally went in there yesterday to get a three pound trigger that one of the employees recommended out at Izaak Walton over the weekend - I didn't get a "stay here and look around" vibe, so I didn't, but it did look nice at initial survey; I'm sure I'll be back, I've just been more hunting oriented for most of the time I've been down here, so Mazama was all I had needed for the most part, other than some little stuff at S&M, where I haven't had any negativity problems (yet.)

Good luck with your decision, Sam - for what it's worth, it shouldn't be a huge impact to your lifestyle; the valley is the valley.

 

[tac]

WE like it, not just because of the fine museums and great public library, but the great fish and chips as well as one of the best chocolate specialists we have ever encountered anywhere, including Belgium and Switzerland.

We'd like to live a bit out of town, though, maybe someplace around Fox Hollow or on Le Bleu...sigh.

tac

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Good luck with your decision, Sam - for what it's worth, it shouldn't be a huge impact to your lifestyle; the valley is the valley.

Thanks! I realize we're only talking 35-50 miles, not a world of difference, physically. The biggest decisions now revolve around friends, familiarity with our current area, and ties that would have to be broken and/or remade. Well, that and having a certain job come through, of course...

It's actually quite funny that I'm this concerned: I was born in MA, and have lived for extended periods in NH, CO, and OR. It's not like moving is a foreign concept to me.

-- Sam

 

[ORBrit]

I love it here. I moved from outside London and lived in a variety of places in England before that.
It's got quite a bit more to do than Corvallis - without feeling like a big city.
There's a real small town feel to it - I bump into people I know all the time.

Traffic still isn't too bad and nothing is more than 20 minutes away really.

It is pretty expensive to own close in acreage though. Some "free" shooting spots out on Wolf Creek, Fisk Road, Lost Creek.
+1 for the Baron's Den. I have gotten to know Raye and Steve quite well and I enjoy the atmosphere in there. They treat me well because I'm a repeat customer, and have been a member for 5 years.
I like John in Mazama's too. He's treated me well in the past and their new(ish) expansion is worth a look if you haven't seen it yet.
I avoid SM Gun shop on River Road - always talked down to in there.

 

[ORBrit]

WE like it, not just because of the fine museums and great public library, but the great fish and chips as well as one of the best chocolate specialists we have ever encountered anywhere, including Belgium and Switzerland.

We'd like to live a bit out of town, though, maybe someplace around Fox Hollow or on Le Bleu...sigh.

tac

tac,

where are the best fish 'n' chips in Eugene?
I'm biased because my parents owned a chippy in Reading, so nothing has compared yet.
The closest was the Crazy Norwegian in Port Orford.

 

[tionico]

This isn't exactly the economy in which to be indecisive. It's almost as tough as deciding between two new guns...

-- Sam[/QUOTE]


only with moving ,you can't buy both. WIth guns, you can. Sometimes,

 

[Just Jim]

It should be an interesting move for you after living in corvallis. Corvallis is a snob filled town and Eugene is a drug filled town. When I lived there they called Sprifield "little Chicago" because of all the shootings. You are going to get a full taste of hippie culture and drug crimes.

Choose your neighborhood wisely.

jj

 

[DERGLOCKINMEISTER]

I live in Springfield , my business is in Eugene , a liberal town to be sure , but pretty inclusive as well . You'll love the Barons Den , they have an excellent indoor range and have league shooting there about 4 - 5 times per year . Super selection , friendly and helpful staff . Walt , the owner , is a hoot . There are two good rifle ranges in the area and places to hunt and shoot all around the outlying areas . I grew up in Klamath Falls and Eugene is verrrrry liberal when compared , but what do you expect ? Corvallis is just as Beaver oriented as Eugene is for the Ducks , but CC is done here with a wide range of people and the local sheriff seems to be supportive . Come on down , you'll enjoy the area .

 

[parallax]

euuuuuuugene, I am a member of the barons den.. and there lanes seem to always be available when i show up. the range at marcola, emerald empire gun club.. is members only except on fridays, last itme i checked. then theres izzak walton, last time i went there was 10 years ago on a vistor day or something like that. eugene has a good airport that gives you access to sanfran, salt lake city and seattle and portland( which are all international hubs.), so its easy to get flights to anywhere in the world without to much hassle. I personally live in west eugene so i go out to the crow area 20 minute drive from my house.( south west of eugene) to shoot and rarely see anyone else out there. shooting out to 800 yards. eugene has alot of diversity good restaraunts and museums, good bus system and alot of good bike paths to go do your cardio on. got some good martial arts schools as well as cage fighting school. cops have always been pretty cool, no hassles. the beltline is starting to get its own rush hour jams, but probably no more than a 10 minute delay at prime times. I live in a culdesac and have great neighbors, we look out for each other

 

[tac]

tac,

where are the best fish 'n' chips in Eugene?
I'm biased because my parents owned a chippy in Reading, so nothing has compared yet.
The closest was the Crazy Norwegian in Port Orford.

That would be Newman's fish market on Willamette Street about 16th. As for my old pal Pat [The Crazy Norwegian], I'm sure not trying to do him down - I DID say Eugene, but they don't have the beat of Pat's, IMO.

His RULE!

tac

PS - we'll be flying the state flag of Oregon on the range tomorrow to wish Orygun a Very Happy 151st Birthday!!

 

[tonedef89]

Hello, I've lived in Eugene for the past 4 years or so and went to school at OSU so I've got to experience both places. I got into shooting a few years ago, so my experience is mostly with Eugene. I am originally from the Medford area and moving back there soon. I do a lot of my shooting down there, but as far as Eugene goes I like the Emerald Empire Gun Club. Its in Marcola, so its a bit of a drive, but a pleasant one. Non-Members have to pay $10 to shoot at the public range with targets set up at different lengths up to 100 yards. Its pretty low key and the only time it was packed was right before hunting season. If I wasn't moving south I would become a member, which gives access to quite a few more ranges including an indoor .22 range.
Starting as a new shooter here and expanding my knowledge I have gotten a feel for most of the shops around. I have actually never bought a gun at a shop here, either too much for what I wanted or passing on guns that I shouldn't have. Mazama employees can be a bit stand offish but warm up quick and I am using them for an FFL transfer now. SM and Baron's Den have great selections but must sense that I am just browsing when I go in because they are pretty short with me. Can't fault them too much for that. If they dropped their prices a little bit... I like to do a pawn shop run at the shops on Franklin and the one in Springfield across from Grocery Outlet. Generally nice people and occasionally some pretty nice guns. The pawn shop on 99 gets some interesting stuff but I have seen too much sketchy gun handling there to go there often. Workers there like to hollywood flip cylinders back into revolvers and sweep me with their guns.
All in all, an okay place to shoot, but not the best for buying. As far as people go, I am a social worker with an office full of pretty liberal people. When I talk to cowokers about guns and target shooting, they are always open minded and most want to go out and shoot.

 

[tonedef89]

I forgot to mention, as far as SM goes, one trick that I have learned is to commit to buying a box of ammo before looking at guns. I go there for makarov ammo because I can't usually find it at other places and don't have a bulk supply. Just committing to that 12 bucks will completely change their attitude and they are more than willing to show you stuff in their cases and talk (the talk will generally be on the dry side though, I have fun with it).

 

[cyclesarge]

It should be an interesting move for you after living in corvallis. Corvallis is a snob filled town and Eugene is a drug filled town. When I lived there they called Sprifield "little Chicago" because of all the shootings. You are going to get a full taste of hippie culture and drug crimes.

Choose your neighborhood wisely.

jj

I take exception to this post, Eugene has more than it's fair share of snobs and I've seen plenty of drug activity in Corvallis and Albany.

 

[Just Jim]

I take exception to this post, Eugene has more than it's fair share of snobs and I've seen plenty of drug activity in Corvallis and Albany.

I have lived in all three areas for some length of time, have you??

jj

 

[cyclesarge]

I've never lived in Corvallis or Albany, but spent a lot of time there, specially when I was going to college and right after that. I was implying the same thing you said "Choose your neighborhood wisely."

Eugene is larger than Corvallis or Albany so you can expect it to have a proportionally larger number of drug crimes, as well as a proportionally larger number of stores, fish markets, jobs, etc.

 

[parallax]

+1 tonedef89.. I have prob spent over $10,000 at s&m gun shop over the course of 10 years, but everytime i go in there, they treat me like sh#t.
oh well.i will still go down there , as they are the only place in town besides the baron's den that has the latest and greatest toys in this neck of the woods.
To The crew at s&m gun shop on river road. i love ya all like brothers. best regards, be down to see ya tommorrow for the morning group hug.

 

[ORBrit]

And you keep going back because...

 

[tionico]

WE like it, not just because of the fine museums and great public library, but the great fish and chips as well as one of the best chocolate specialists we have ever encountered anywhere, including Belgium and Switzerland.

We'd like to live a bit out of town, though, maybe someplace around Fox Hollow or on Le Bleu...sigh.

tac

Come on, Tac, details, please? I'm a great fan of top hole fish and chips, and chocolate. Did someone mention fine chocolate?

oh, and someone else mentioned great beer.

What, you guys trying to start a lemming march er sumpin?

but, DO TELL the details.... name and location of the pertinent establishments. Name, at the least, the telephone book could well provide the rest.