Living in the Willamette Valley
Corvallis is located in the Willamette Valley which
extends from the Coast Range to the Cascade mountains. The countryside
around this town of 50,000 is dominated by farming and forestry. Some
of Oregon's best vineyards and wineries are in the rolling foothills
nearby. The old downtown section of Corvallis sits adjacent to the
University campus.
Our city offers a substantial number of opportunities for cultural and
intellectual enrichment. There are frequent concerts throughout the
year, an annual arts festival, and a science & technology fair
known as Da Vinci Days. Several excellent plays are produced each year
on campus, and there is a modern theater venue downtown. Portland and
Eugene are only a short drive away. Both of these cities have extensive
live music and theater programs.
Corvallis enjoys a pristine natural environment and friendly folks with
a strong sense of community. The two major employers of the area, the
University with about 7,000 and Hewlett Packard with over 5,000
employees, have attracted individuals and families from all over the
world who share the ideals of those who shaped the community:
excellence in research, education, and quality of life.
Willamette Valley
The climate in the Willamette Valley is mild. High temperatures in July
and August average about 85°F (29°C), and the lows in the
coldest months average 37°F (5°C). Summer weather is
characterized by clear blue skies and the absence of humidity and
thunderstorms. The rain for which the Pacific Northwest is famous
generally falls between November and April. But it is noteworthy that
the annual rainfall in Corvallis is about 42 inches, less than that of
New York, Chicago, or Miami!
Western Oregon provides an enormous diversity of outdoor recreation
opportunities. Miles of country roads and trails that wind across
covered bridges or through the picturesque hills offer possibilities
for hikers and cyclists. On the western edge of Corvallis is Mary's
Peak, the highest mountain of the Coast Range, with excellent views and
a selection of sites for hiking, picnicking, and camping.
The rugged Oregon coast of the Pacific Ocean, popular for clamming,
camping, and whale-watching, are about an hour's drive to the west. A
two hour drive to the east of Corvallis, in the Oregon Cascades, enough
snow for winter sports is a virtual certainty from Thanksgiving through
Spring. The snowmelt feeds a myriad of lakes and mountain streams,
providing excellent steelhead fishing and boating. Some of the finest
whitewater canoeing and kayaking in the country is within a day's drive
of Corvallis.
Living in Corvallis
Privately owned apartments, houses, and rooms are available throughout
Corvallis. For information, send for: "Apartment Renter's Guide" from
the Student Involvement Office at OSU. (541-737-2101) The College Inn,
located directly across from Gilbert Hall houses graduate students.
Interested students can write or call directly to College Inn, 155 NW
Kings Boulevard Corvallis, OR 97330 (541-737-4100). A good source of
current information is the local newspaper, The Gazette Times, 600 SW
Jefferson Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333 (541-753-2641).
Employment Opportunities
OSU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples. Employment
assistance is available for students' spouses, both through the
Department of Human Resources on campus and through the local State
Employment Office. Contact the Department of Human Resources, Kerr
Administration Bldg., Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331,
(541-737-3103).
Links to More Information
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A Da Vinci Days kinetic sculpture.
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The Pacific Northwest offers many
beautiful hiking opportunities.
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