Roundthebend: I don't think AbbyAdams is "wrong" I think she just has a different opinion from yours. And after all, isn't that why we come to the forums: to get other's opinions? Let's try a bit of tolerance for other's opinions here.

I live in Lake Oswego and have visited both Bend & Corvallis and for livability I would pick Corvallis. Of course, that's my opinion! I happen to think Lake Oswego is the best :)

Consider Ventura.

Topped by an advertiser?

Yes, yesterday evening someone posted pretending to be the OP with a different screen name and wrote something to the effect of "we decided on moving to ____, OR and opened two businesses" and then posted links. Pretty dumb considering that the OP has been here since 2003.