1. The University Of Oregon Is The Thriving Pulse Of The City
Whether or not Eugene is a “college town” or a “town with a college,” it can’t be denied that the University of Oregon is the national focus and Eugene.
The huge influx of students every fall keeps the mass of pubs and bars around the campus running, and the sports team are a source of pride for all sports-oriented Eugenians. Go Ducks!
2. Eugene Is A Bigger Bike Mecca Than Portland
Back in the ’70s, Eugene, already a very progressive city, created a cutting edge running and bicycle trails, laying the groundwork for its title as one of the most bikeable cities in the country, even more so than its metropolitan counterpart to the north.
3. In Eugene, You’re Never More Than Half An Hour From What You Want To Do
Want to go to the beach? Quick drive. Want to go mountain biking, canoeing, camping, hiking? Even closer. Want to see a desert? Yeah, Eastern Oregon has you covered. Eugene has more unique ecosystems than deck of Magic cards.
4. People In Eugene Never Use Umbrellas—They Can Weather The Weather
In the 6–8 months of the year when the skies are overcast and the clouds let loose, you’d expect Eugenians to be equipped with triple-layer slickers and huge umbrellas. Not so—the downpour isn’t so precipitous, more like a heavy fog.
5. It Doesn’t Rain In Eugene Nearly As Much As They’ll Tell Californians
It’s true: Eugenians are protective of their wonderful state. To some, it’s like a secret fishing hole that they’d rather have unspoiled by transplants. Don’t take this the wrong way, folks in Eugene are polite, but they’ll lie about how inclement their weather is to discourage people discovering how attractive their city really is.
6. Top Athletes Are All A-Track-Ted To Hayward Field
Hayward Field is commonly considered to be one of the tracks in the country, if not the best in the West. If you’re at all inclined towards New Balance shoes and the runner’s high, Hayward Field is basically a must-run. You’ll be bragging about it after your first visit. Go Ducks!
7. Your Best Bet For Groceries? Definitely WinCo
Eugene has a number of national chains that service them, groceries-wise, with plenty of crunchy health food shops to complement the cheaper, conventional goods, but most people will say that the place to shop is WinCo.
8. Whiteaker Makes Haight-Ashbury Look Like Wall Street
One of Eugene’s many stereotypes is that they’re a hippie town. While this isn’t true of the whole city, it most certainly stems from the Whiteaker neighborhood. All the folks selling tie-dye toilet paper (not a joke) down at Saturday Market will take the party back to Whiteaker for the rest of the week.
9. The World’s Best Sandwich Can Be Bought At Capella Market
Nowhere in the world can you find a sandwich that’s healthy, delicious and comes to you quickly. Right? What? Oh, yeah, Capella does do that. And the butchers and staff actually know what they talk about. Definitely worth the trip.
10. If You Haven’t Climbed Spencers Butte Yet, What Are You Doing?
Even if you’re just visiting, you’d best strap on those hiking boots and get up to the top of Spencer’s Butte, a little ways south of Eugene. The spot is very popular on weekends and from the upper views, you’ll feel like you’re about to take off over the amazing forests surrounding the city. Potentially life-changing, definite weekend-maker.
11. Eugene’s Nature Paths Have The Rest Of The Country Trailing Behind
Spencer Butte is a great place to start, but make no mistake, Eugene is practically crawling with hiking and running trails, both in and outside the city. Mary’s Peak, Mount Pisgah, Jasper Park, many of these are just over in nearby Springfield and will definitely scratch your nature itch.
12. Falling Sky Brewery Is A Holy Grail Of Craft Brewing
Compared to major locales, most things in Eugene are a steal. Perhaps most importantly: The beer.
Falling Sky Brewery is a great example of craft brewing without the usual price tag you’ll find on those bottles with the funky tags. Their gastropub downtown should be on the list of any beer aficionado who comes for a visit.
13. Folks From Eugene Guard Their Bicycles As If Their Lives Depended On It
The way to get to work in Eugene is definitely by bike (that would account for the total lack of traffic, right?) Even if you’re not that into riding for fun, and you really should give it a shot if you haven’t already, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of Eugene’s bikability.
14. Eugene Takes It Easy
Nothing needs to go too fast out here. Most folks are content with the pace of the city. When everything you’d need is within a stone’s throw and getting there is never a hassle, it’s not hard to imagine why Eugenians usually don’t raise a fuss about the small stuff.
15. Western Oregon’s Nature Is Truly Special
Sportsmen of all disciplines—fly fishers, mountain bikers, avid hikers, mushroom hunters—will feel right at home in the wilderness around Eugene.
If you’re the sort of person who would prefer to stay inside all day, all year, that sounds pretty comfortable, but in Eugene you’d be squandering a whole lot of beautiful forests. Just a suggestion.
16. Downtown Eugene Makes For An Awesome Weekend
A rising star in the foodie world and the craft brew scene make Downtown Eugene a fantastic spot for anyone looking to have a good time—it’s just trendy enough to have a sense of high class mixed in, but not so much that you and your friends can’t just decompress after work over a few drinks.
17. For Top Tier Entertainment, The Hult Is Your Destination
It’s been said that any Eugenian should visit The Hult at least once in their lives, and it’s hard not to find a reason to rise to that challenge. The Hult regularly hosts headlining comedians, storytellers, bands and ballet—they really cover the entire spectrum—meaning there’s always something going on that will catch your eye.
18. Alton Baker Park Is The Heart Of Eugene
Between the adorable duck mothers and their ducklings, the long, satisfying stretches of running trails throughout and the wide open spaces that serves as the center of the action for all of Eugene, Alton Baker is going to be one of your favorite Eugene parks.
19. You Must Have Prescription-Strength Allergy Meds On You At All Times
Whether you think you have allergies or not don’g get caught off guard without some allergy relief close at hand. Eugene has every pollen under the sun, and you will likely discover you are a bit more susceptible to hay fever than you would have ever thought. Better ask your doctor for a nice dose of Claritin to get you through the day.
20. People In Eugene Actually Know How To Drive
To drivers in Eugene, a stop sign means stop, a green light means go, and left turns are always, always protected. Some out-of-towners may take issue with how “slow” things go behind the wheel, but the fact of the matter is that folks in Eugene are courteous and disinterested in ruining someone else’s day by running them over.
21. People Who Confuse U of O with OSU Will Be Held In Contempt Of Court
A word to the uninitiated: OSU is one of UofO’s biggest rivals, and comparing the two is like trying to draw a connection between Michigan and Ohio State, UCLA and USC, or the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Go Ducks!
22. The Story of Steve Prefontaine Will Bring A Tear To Any Eugenian’s Eye
We’ve been making a pretty big deal about the running culture in Eugene in this article (Hayward Field, the running paths that are freaking everywhere) but there’s a reason for the hype: Steven Prefontaine is definitely a local hero, and his story has served as inspiration and put Eugene on the map.
23. Birkenstocks Are Always In Style And Always, Always In Stock
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor hail, nor earthquake, nor volcanic eruption, nor zombie apocalypse can prevent a Eugenian from wearing their Birkenstocks if they want to.
24. Yellow And Green Are Everyone’s Favorite Colors
University of Oregon’s colors are yellow and green. As you would expect, the area around the college is pretty much painted two-tone. Go Ducks! (Getting tired of hearing that? Well get used to it because it’s pretty much Eugene’s mantra)
25. Eugene Is Polarized By Pot
The hippie contingent have an affinity for their green, and the conservatives are mostly concerned about it impacting their family. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, Eugenians aren’t shy about their opinion on the drug. Prepare ye selves!
26. Absolutely Everyone Loves Off The Waffle
Endless coffee and delicious waffles in an easygoing atmosphere? Could this place be any more Eugene?
27. Every Neighborhood Is Garden Variety Gorgeous
There’s pretty much a garden on every street, and if there isn’t, the towering majesties of the trees throughout the city are enough of a draw for nature lovers and devout treehuggers alike.
28. The Biggest Victory Of The Last Few Years Is The Rise Of The Emerald Express
Initially a contested issue, EmX opened a bus rapid transit system (favored over the other proposed light rail option) in early 2007 that has enjoyed marked increase in ridership and received an honorary nod for the Sustainable Transportation Award the following year. As of a few years back, the track was extended even further.
29. Eugene Is A Fantastic Place To Grow Up
Oh, there’s so much we haven’t even mentioned, and we’re already here, at the end of the article. Why will kids love it? Well, we’ve mentioned the parks, and the easy hikes, but there’s also the knowledge that Eugene is safe by comparison, one of our top 25 places to live in the state, period.
What’s something you learned living in Eugene? Tell us in the comments below! 
