University of Oregon - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

The beauty of Eugene is that it’s suited to fit any interests, from big-town business to small-town suburbia; it also happens to be an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Eugene offers the feel of a big city without the hassle of traffic on an eight-lane freeway. It’s in a location that places you an hour from the Cascade Mountain Range or an hour from the Pacific Coast, and it sports beautiful, picturesque views all around. The town offers a laid-back atmosphere, but politics can cause community uproar. With a big percentage of the population classified as decidedly liberal, Eugene is unlike any other city.

Eugene has two prominent characteristics: the outdoors, and the sheer volume of caffeine that flows through the city like a river. You will never travel more than a block to find a coffee shop, and if you don’t like caffeine, you’ll be part of a small minority. Despite the high tension this fixation tends to cause, however, Eugene has a very laid-back, relaxed atmosphere. From time to time you will run into the occasional “hippie,” but that’s the beauty of Eugene—you never know what you will see next.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

It’s a laid-back atmosphere in... It’s a laid-back atmosphere in Eugene, but some parts are really political. It’s a safe place—smaller than a big city, and bigger than a small city. There’s a lot of neat stuff to do around the state depending on what you’re into. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

We have tons of places to eat, two... We have tons of places to eat, two major malls, arcades, movie theaters, and performing arts centers, just to name a few. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Eugene is very well-known for... Eugene is very well-known for being a very liberal and ‘earthy’ town. Some people call it ‘Hippieville, USA.’ Most people say that Eugene is kind of boring, but if you have money, you can have fun. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

It is mainly a college town mixed... It is mainly a college town mixed with locals who have been here for years. It’s a throwback to Berkeley in the 1960s, in a way. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Eugene is very involved in the... Eugene is very involved in the University as a whole. Many atmospheres are geared toward college students and college life. There is much to do outside of the University. Most activities fall under the category of ‘outdoor pursuits.’ It’s a 10-minute drive to the nearest river, 15 minutes to the nearest lake and only an hour and half from the Pacific Coast. From museums to the Saturday market, there is something for everyone. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Five Fun Facts about Eugene:
• Sunset magazine has named Eugene one of the five top college towns in the West, and Cosmopolitan called Eugene one of the eight great college towns in the nation.
• Lane County is home to 73 recreational sites, and Eugene is a huge city for bicycling.
• 1959 graduate Phil Knight and 24-year Track and Field head coach Bill Bowerman founded Nike in Eugene.
• Money magazine rated Eugene-Springfield among the best six U.S. cities in which to live.
• Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without self-service gas stations.

Famous People from UO:
Edwin Artzt – Former CEO, Procter and Gamble Co.
Ann Bancroft – Explorer, first woman to cross the North and South Poles
Ann Curry – News anchor, NBC Today Show
Ken Kesey – Author, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Phil Knight – Founder and CEO, Nike, Inc.
Steve Perry – Lead singer of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Steve Prefontaine – International track star
Ahmad Rashad – NFL Hall of Famer and NBC Sports commentator
Dan Wieden – President, Weiden & Kennedy Advertising

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Emily Ebel
Hometown: Estacada, OR
Major: Biology

Emily is growing a vegetable garden on her dorm room windowsill.

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