Corvallis is located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon about 90 miles south of Portland. The community is ranked as one of the top 10 places to live whether you own a home or rent. Corvallis is roughly 52 miles from Newport, Oregon and the Pacific Coast and is the home of Oregon State University. The area has adopted the motto of "Enhancing Community Livability" and is the top-ranked neighborhood on the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Communities list.
The area was first settled by Joseph C. Avery in 1845. He named the town Marysville, but it was renamed Corvallis by the legislative assembly in 1853. The name means "heart of the valley" in Latin. Although Salem was later named Oregon's capital, this city held the original honor.
Corvallis is a mid-sized community with a population of about 54,460 people who always have something interesting to do. For example, the neighborhood comes together each year for an annual Fall Festival to support local arts.
As the home city of Oregon State University, there are many opportunities for cultural and athletic events in town. In addition to the OSU Beavers, there are the Knights, a West Coast League baseball team. Whether you own or rent, you can enjoy the local sports or simply take advantage of the outdoors. When you have an open day in your schedule, drive to the Pacific Coast or take advantage of more than 2,000 acres of parks, trails and open spaces in the city.
As a green city, Corvallis has a high percentage of individuals who bike or walk to work. The city has 46 miles of bike lanes along major roadways along with 18 miles of multi-use paths. Depending on where your home or apartment is located, you can choose a healthier, more environmentally friendly way to commute. If your commute is a longer distance, you can take advantage of the Corvallis Transit System, a reliable bus network. With the "Where's My Bus?" online and mobile feature, you will always be able to track your route. If you choose to drive to work, you will need a permit. The free lots downtown are reserved for shoppers and business patrons.
Apartment renters in the neighborhood who are pursuing higher education have a choice of institutions. Oregon State University is located in the community and has several colleges including Veterinary Medicine, Business, Engineering and Science. In addition to OSU, Linn-Benton Community College has a campus center in the city. Apartment renters can find a place to live within walking or biking distance of campus, or you can take advantage of the transit system and study while you commute from where you rent.
If you are seeking employment in the city, the top employer is OSU. In addition to a variety of careers and opportunities at the university, there are technological and manufacturing opportunities at SIGA Technologies and Hewlett-Packard. For health workers, Samaritan Health Services is another major employer. Apartment renters can look for a place near the transit line or within a good commuting distance of an employer.