We may be a little biased about our community because we live here, but there are definite reasons why living in the Willamette Valley is one of the best places to live. Situated in the Pacific Northwest, the Willamette Valley is home to wonderful cities. Corvallis, Albany, Philomath and Lebanon all have so many things to offer, that it was hard to narrow it down. Here are some of our favorite reasons why we love living in our communities.
1) Easy commutes. One of the amazing things about our great communities is its easy to get from A to B. You can be anywhere within the cities of Albany, Corvallis, and Lebanon in 10 to 15 minutes. Some cities are bicycle friendly too. Corvallis has many great bike paths and a designated bike lane on many streets. The likelihood that you would wait in traffic for hours is slim to none as commutes are a breeze!
2) Outdoor enjoyment opportunities everywhere. Need an outdoor adventure? The Willamette Valley has numerous places to go, all in our backyard. There are many hiking trails around the area including Mary’s Peak, Bald Hill Natural Area, Talking Waters. Getting a little exercise has never been so easy as you enjoy fresh air and witness nature at its best. If you’re not a hiker, there are many paved paths too. Corvallis and Albany both have riverfront walkways with scenery of the Willamette river and downtown.
3) Mild weather. While you’re out enjoying nature, rest assured that you probably won’t get caught in a thunder storm. We may have our share of rain in the valley, but its rare that we get extreme weather. Snow, heavy ice, tornadoes, and hurricanes is not something that you experience in the valley. We have a light drizzle to rain in the winter months. Spring time is beautifully green and blooming with cherry trees and tulips. Summers are only in the triple digits a couple weeks at most. There are many homes that don’t have air conditioning because the weather is so mild. Our fall is beautiful as the leaves change color and the air gets cooler. There’s something so exciting about going downtown in the fall get a cup of coffee and shop.
4) Small unique shops. Like shopping but don’t want the same things you see in large department stores? The valley has some great shops. Tin Roof Boutique in Albany carries beautiful lines of clothing for women, and Many Hands Trading in Corvallis offers unique gifts from artists all over the world. These stores are both great examples of Mom and Pop shops that you’ll find here. We value shops like that here in the valley because they offer quality products that are often from local artisans. We shop local to support our local economy.
5) Abundance of healthy foods from local farmers. We are lucky to live in an area where healthy food is a priority. In the Willamette Valley, food is everywhere. If you walk downtown in Corvallis on a Saturday, you’re likely to catch a large local Farmers Market on the riverfront. Fresh produce from local farmers, meats, honey, arts, and crafts can be purchased. People in the valley are health conscious so you’ll find many organic farms. Grocery stores that sell organic foods making it very easy to eat clean. Compared to other cities across the country, our valley offers an abundance of delicious, healthy foods.
6) Great restaurant experiences.– We mentioned food, right? With the food utopia in which we live, there are also amazing restaurants that offer a farm to table experience. Gathering Together Farm in Philomath, Castor and Taco Vino in Corvallis are great examples of this. There are all kinds of great restaurants to choose from including restaurants that are gluten free. Eats and Treats in Philomath and Taco Vino in Corvallis offer a variety of gluten free options. There are also good places to grab a burger or a slice of pizza. We have it all here!
7) Some of the best schools. Look up the ratings for yourself. Corvallis, Albany, and Philomath school districts all made the Top 30 School districts in Oregon according to the Portland Business Journal. Education is highly valued here in the valley. Oregon State University and Linn-Benton Community college offer incredible programs for advanced education too.
8) Arts, Culture, and Festivals. Do you have an appreciation for arts and crafts? You have come to the right place. You can find many local artists who specialize in ceramics, jewelry, photography, and so much more. The Corvallis Fall Festival is an event that takes place at Central Park. There are numerous vendors that sell arts and crafts of all kinds, there’s a 5K run, and live music. Its kid friendly and a fun outing for the whole family on a weekend. There are many other festivals and events in the valley too. Or if you'd prefer to go our for a night of entertainment, Majestic Theatre perform plays and host musical artists throughout the year. You will never be bored!
For more information about living in the Willamette Valley, please contact us at (541)250-9405. andreafahy@hsmartrg.com.
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