Essential knowledge for Eugene, OR

June 30, 2009 1:45 PM

What do I need to know about living in Eugene, OR?

I just moved to Eugene for grad school, and I don't really know anybody yet. I live close to campus, directly to the east, and I don't have a car. I'm hoping that I won't need one, but don't know yet if that's realistic or not.

I have a few specific questions, but would also appreciate any general tips about living in town, recommendations for must see places or rad local businesses to support.

Where should I buy a used bike? Is there a shop that specializes in used bikes/repairs?

Are there any restaurants that I absolutely need to check out?

Is there an awesome tattoo artist here?

Thanks a lot, everybody.

My apologies for the hodgepodge nature of this question.

posted by solipsophistocracy to grab bag (11 comments total)

You don't need a car. Eugene is extremely bike friendly. It's also high up there in bike thefts per capita, so buy a good lock and expect to have to buy a bike every few years (my best friend has lost 10 bikes that way.)

There's a bunch of good bike stores in Eugene ... Pauls is a good place to start although it's not the cheapest option.

There's tons of tattoo places. Most of them are within about a mile of downtown. High Priestess and Thee Parlor are two that come to mind. I have never gotten a tattoo in my life, though, so I couldn't give any recommendations on that account.

Eugene has great restaurants in the mid-price range. On the cheap side, Glenwood is a great place to start (at 13th and Alder). For the greasy spoon/Korean place, try Brails on 17th and Willamette. Beppe and Gianni's has amazing Italian food in the $15 to $25 a person range. A newer restaurant you should really check out (I just went there for the first time this year) is the Vintage, a converted old home off 8th and Lincoln. It's a $10 to $25 a person sort of place, but on Thursdays they have this special for a burger and two microbrews for $8. Mmmm, Ninkasi beer and a burger :-).

The best weather in Eugene is May to October. After that it gets kinda rainy, but hopefully you'll get used to it. If you haven't done it already, pick up a copy of the Eugene Weekly. It's a pretty good way to get acquainted with Eugene. I think their journalism is terrible, but they definitely are a good guide to getting around in town.

If you want more, feel free to PM me.
posted by Happydaz at 2:17 PM on June 30

So much interest in Eugene recently; it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside :)

Ok, I must admit that while I grew up in Eugene, I haven't lived there for 5 years. Plus, I lived in the country. So, take advice with a grain of salt.

First, get yourself to Smith Family Bookstore. Mostly used bookstore, two locations (one is campus), and you can get lost in the stacks. You could buy a book about Eugene or at least ask the salespeople for advice (prob esp about bikes). Also, the Eugene Public Library was rebuilt about 8 years ago, and the new building is quite lovely.

I don't know the best place to go for bikes. I will say that Eugene is bike-friendly. However, you may start feeling constrained without a car. The west coast is very spread out, and it will be difficult to go anywhere outside the small Eugene/Springfield area. There are buses (LTD), and I'm pretty sure that if you are a UofO student you get to ride for free. But, bus system is only so-so.

Really don't know about tattoos... The only thing that came to mind was High Priestess, but I'm sure you can find someone around town to ask.

One place to go to meet people is the Saturday Market; it's fun and bustling during the summer, and there's a plentiful supply of hippies.

General advice: Buy an awesome raincoat (skip the umbrella; locals don't use 'em) bc it will be grey and dreary from ~Oct-May. If you have allergies, see someone right away. Grass pollen is especially high. Also watch out for field burning at the end of the summer. I love Eugene, but after being away in a more environment, I realize just how small and lacking in diversity it is. If this is going to bother you, take trips into Portland to help alleviate any feelings of deprivation.

A few restaurants that I know of: Mazzi's is pretty good Italian; Beppe and Gianni's is probably better Italian; Studio One Cafe is known for decadent french toast; one of my personal favorites is Poppi's Anatolia, serving Greek and Indian food; grab lunch at Cafe Yumm to feel really earthy-crunchy (you can even buy the yumm sauce to make your own yumm bowl at home!)

Ok, I'll shut up now. But feel free to memail me if I can be of help.
posted by dormouse at 2:34 PM on June 30

The Center for Appropriate Transport is your best bet for an inexpensive, reliable bike. Paul's is quite expensive and doesn't sell used bikes as far as I can tell. Blue Heron down on 13th just West of campus is convenient when you need mechanical work, although you may catch snippets of bizarre libertarianism from the owners. I get around nearly everywhere on bike, although I occasionally use the bus to get downtown when I'm in a hurry and make an excuse to drive every few weeks.

Hendricks Park is right in your (our) neighborhood, and I believe the flower gardens, which are beautiful enough to attract Japanese tourists, are in bloom right around now. Enjoy the summer while you can, because the neighborhood is going to be fairly rowdy come September. Get out to the coast ASAP; all of the beaches around Florence are absolutely beautiful. The student outdoor center has great equipment rentals and organizes all kinds of awesome trips.

Check out market co-ops like Growers (down by the train station), you might want to join. You'll need to do occasional volunteer work to earn store credits, but the savings on many of their food items are substantial. They also stock mostly local and organic food if that is important to you.

Also in the neighborhood, the intersection of 19th and Agate has some decent food options. Prince Puckler's is very good ice cream, McMeneman's is decent beer and questionable food, and Studio 1 has great breakfast selections (try the Northern Lights) and good coffee.
posted by Derive the Hamiltonian of... at 2:40 PM on June 30

The first thing you should do is read this and make contact with youcancallmeal!
posted by Houstonian at 3:15 PM on June 30 [2 favorites has favorites]

My favorite Eugene tattoo artist is Demian Thompson at the Parlour (I still drive down from Portland to see him) It's downtown, on Willamette, right across from the transit station.

I lived in Eugene for four years without a car. I never had a problem. The transit is good for a city of Eugene's size. There are tons of bike shops were I'm sure you can get a good deal (I don't ride, so I can't help there).

Eat at The Keystone Cafe, Studio One (the french toast is really really fabulous), and Anatolia (which is also right near the transit station).

Make sure to see some movies at The Bijou! It's a great little theatre.

Definetly hit the Saturday Market! And don't miss the Oregon Country Fair this summer.

Feel free to memail with any other questions. I'm in Portland now but Eugene feels like home, too. Enjoy your stay!
posted by dchrssyr at 4:18 PM on June 30

Oh! and seconding the recommendation for good rain gear (86 the umbrella idea - you'll stick out like a sore thumb) and a visit to a doctor if you've EVER had allergies. I'd never had seasonal allergies before I moved to Eugene. The grass seed is a killer and knocked me on my ass for a good week before I made myself go to the doctor.

Also, if seasonal depression is at all an issure, purchase some full spectrum light bulbs before winter sets in. It can be really gray and dark in Oregon in the winter. After the first year, I got used to it but the brighter light bulbs really helped that first year.

They say that we grow webbed feet in the winter because of the rain here. It's probably true. I'm definetly used to being rained on all winter. I don't even think about it anymore.
posted by dchrssyr at 4:28 PM on June 30

Where should I buy a used bike? Is there a shop that specializes in used bikes/repairs?

Paul's, or the Center for Appropriate Transport. I have, however, given up on all shops other than Collins, on East 11th, due to dissatisfaction with others' treatment of my road bike.

Are there any restaurants that I absolutely need to check out?

Beppe and Gianni's, Ring of Fire, the campus Glenwood for breakfast (just west of Prince Lucien Campbell building, that tall one), Cho Pra Ya, in Whiteaker, for Thai, and a link for a buttload of eateries, etc. in the Whiteaker neighborhood, which is west and a bit north of Campus. Our local wine is from Territorial Vinyards, and is very good, if you care to support local businesses.

Is there an awesome tattoo artist here?

Can't help. . .daughter and wife have gone to High Priestess for piercing, though, and it's very clean and professional.

I have lived in Eugene for 30 years. . .enough to be over Saturday Market and the Country Fair, but email me if you have specific questions, or need help with anything else. . .and welcome to or little whiney burg.
posted by Danf at 4:57 PM on June 30

Rain:
Rain begins around November 1 and is virtually continuous from then through February. It tapers off through May. (June through October are nearly cloudless.) The rain is absurdly light (i.e. it'll rain for 8 hours and total 1/4 inch), though, such that you needn't put much effort into warding it off unless you're going to be outside in it all day. You truly don't need an umbrella. You do need a waterproof, breathable shell like Gore-Tex; Columbia brand jackets are very popular.

In the rainy season, you can seemingly go for weeks without seeing the sun. The key to staying happy through the winter is to do outdoor activities regularly. Hiking, skiing/snowboarding, whatever. Get whatever natural light you can. As you grad student, on weekdays in Dec-Jan you will probably be at school from before sunrise til after sunset. That means you gotta plan an outdoor activity every weekend.

Panhandlers:
You will encounter many panhandlers and homeless (not necessarily the same thing). I handle this by making donations to a local homeless shelter. When I am asked for a handout I just say "Sorry" or, at most, "Sorry, I can't help you."

Public library:
I'm a big fan of the Eugene Public Library. It's especially great for CDs and DVDs. The trick is to access the catalog via the web and reserve the items you want, as the good stuff is always checked out.

Bookstores:
Smith Family Bookstore (2 locations) is like Half Price Books. For more discriminating tastes, try J. Michael on Broadway (Broadway=9th) or Black Sun on Hilyard.

CDs & records:
CD World out on W 11th is great. House of Records (also has CDs) is near campus on E 13th.

Eats:
Other places near campus you should try: Sy's Pizza & Barry's Deli, both on Alder. Track Town Pizza on Franklin. Pegasus Pizza on 14th or 15th. McMenamin's on High Street for burgers and microbrews. The Beer Stein on E 13th for hot sandwiches and a vast selection of beers.

Movies:
The David Minor Theater on E 5th is a small theater showing 2nd run movies with food and beer and wine.
posted by neuron at 8:55 PM on June 30

Eugene food is limited. Cornucopia is a great restaurant, with horrible service. The Saturday market will acquaint you quickly with Eugene culture, and some of the best food you can get is there. Eugene is beer heaven much like Portland. Ninkasi is our main local brew, also Oakshire and now Hop Valley. Beer Stien is a wonderful beer bar. Other good bars are Sam Bond's Garage and Max's.

You don't need a car. Best bet for a used bike is on Craigslist. Paul's is a great shop for repairs etc. Put fenders on your bike for rain.
posted by Packy_1962 at 9:25 PM on June 30

I'll recommend Belly again, across from 5th St. Market, for the best food in town-not really cheap, but very good for the price (and cheaper than other fancy places).
posted by purenitrous at 9:28 PM on June 30

Thanks so much, everybody. I'm digging much on this town and your recommendations.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 8:40 PM on July 7