Living in Bend and Corvallis
With its diverse population and landscape, Corvallis is ranked as one of the safest, greenest and best college towns in the US. The city offers year-round cultural and outdoor activities so you'll always find something to do. You can take quick weekend trips to the mountains or the coast. Named for being close to the Cascades mountain range, the OSU-Cascades campus gives you the advantages of studying at a premier research university in a personalized, small-campus environment. Learn about American culture in a vibrant small city, explore the great outdoors and pursue a degree with the excellent resources of Oregon State University. With a student community just over 1,000, international students quickly find themselves immersed in the campus community as well as in the region’s local culture. Visit our City Guide to learn more.
Corvallis, Oregon
Downtown Corvallis is only a few blocks away from campus. It is a quaint, small town and an easy place to navigate. Almost all the roads have bicycle lanes. Don't have a bike? There's a free bus line that can take you anywhere in Corvallis. Many festivals or events are organized throughout the year, gathering students and the entire community. Some of the most popular events in town are the Wednesday and Saturday markets. You'll enjoy walking along the river while tasting and buying local, fresh and organic products.
Bend, Oregon
Home to more than 80,000 residents, Bend is the most populated city in central Oregon. It is located at an elevation of 1,000 meters, with a predominately dry climate. The weather mostly consists of sunny days, cool nights and low humidity. Bend is known for its scenic setting and year-round outdoor activities and often referred to as an outdoor adventure playground. Recreation activities available in Bend include skiing, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking and whitewater rafting.Bend offers a diverse food scene, along with tax-free shopping in nearly 250 stores. It has one of the most vibrant art scenes in the region with more than 20 art galleries.Redmond Airport (only a 20-minute drive from Bend) offers non-stop service from major cities on the West Coast like Denver, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Seattle.
Small campus, big resources
Oregon opts outside
Oregon is known for its love for the great outdoors and Corvallis is no exception. When you need to take a moment to recharge, our town has the perfect mix of woodsy recreational activities and the type of quirky, cultural landmarks indicative of the Pacific Northwest.
Get a taste of the local flavor at the Corvallis Farmers’ Market.
Spot the Canadian geese, elk and our favorite beavers at the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.
Stop and smell the roses at Avery Park’s rose garden.
Catch a show at the Whiteside Theatre.
When you’re not working in OSU’s McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, you could be biking, hiking or horseback riding on trails throughout the forest.
Hike through the lush greenery all the way to the coast in the Siuslaw National Forest.
Spend a sunny day kayaking at Riverfront Commemorative Park.
Taste the famed Willamette Valley wines at Tyee Wine Cellars.
A culturally-rich town
Ranked as one of the smartest towns in the US, Corvallis residents love culture. Are you artistically inclined? Visit our Arts Center featuring local and regional artists. Interested in history? Visit the Benton County Historical Museum to learn about the history of Corvallis. Do you love performances? The Majestic Theater or Whiteside Theater located in downtown Corvallis regularly host concerts and shows.
Sports in Corvallis
Courtside in Corvallis
If you like cheering on your team at sporting events, Oregon State University is a great place for you. We compete in the top division of college athletics and even won the NCAA Collegiate Baseball Championship in 2018 for the 3rd time. Cheer on OSU athletics from the bleachers on campus, or in summer the semi-professional baseball team the Corvallis Knights. Go to a professional game at a stadium in Portland to see their basketball team the Trail Blazers, men's soccer team the Timbers, or women's soccer team the Thorns.
International dining
Many international options
Corvallis has a variety of food types available. Our various international restaurants will give you a taste from home. Our local pubs and breweries will help you discover all of the special tastes of Oregon. A specialty of our restaurants in Corvallis is using local, healthy products called "farm-to-table" dining in the US. For more dining information, visit our City Guide. In addition to traditional American grocery stores, Corvallis is home to many markets with international ingredients. Find local and healthy produce from the Pacific Northwest and cook your favorite dish with authentic ingredients from your home country.
Shopping in Corvallis and Bend
Shop tax-free in Oregon. From second-hand clothing stores to outdoor sporting outfitters, you will find many one-of-a-kind stores in Corvallis. Portland is a great shopping destination where you can find many designer brands. If you drive an hour towards the city, you will arrive at Woodburn Outlet Mall that has over 110 stores including internationally-recognized brands.
Festivals and events in Corvallis
Many festivals or events are organized throughout the year, gathering students and the entire community. Some of the most popular events in town are the Wednesday and Saturday markets. You'll enjoy walking along the river while tasting and buying local, fresh and organic products.
Come to the Pacific Northwest
What should I wear?
Students at OSU enjoy four distinct seasons in Oregon and dress very casually. Summer and fall are generally sunny and warm. Students can be seen wearing shorts, jeans and T-shirts. The spring and winter seasons bring lots of rain. Occasionally, it will snow in the winter. You will need a good coat and shoes for the rain and other warm clothes like sweaters, scarves and gloves.