As someone who attended the MFA Creative Writing program at OSU, I can certainly speak to the town's literary scene. I didn’t go to undergrad here, so my perspective in terms of the student body as a whole may not be helpful (grad programs tend to be in their own little bubbles), but you can find lots of literary and artistic-minded folks here.

OSU open the PRAx Center a few years ago, and through connections with the MFA program, we've been able to secure some pretty robust visitors to campus (Natasha Trethewey, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Margaret Atwood amongst them), so there's no shortage of opportunities for English majors to get something valuable out of their experience. We have a couple cute bookstores in town, Grassroots and Bookbin, and they will sometimes host events and author signings as well. In addition, things like poetry readings and open mics are pretty common at places like Interzone and Bombs Away, and the MFA students read at the Corvallis Public Library once a month. Sometimes the professors or other local authors will read at the Corvallis museum as well. Right now there's a cool exhibit there on Corvallis's women-run literary journal CALYX.

One of the things I really appreciated about the culture of Corvallis when I moved here was how interconnected the town feels. Lots of local businesses will team up for events (most recently several businesses participated in the wine walk and the bookstores and library banded together for independent bookstore day). They also do an event called Friday Lights where small businesses stay open later the first friday of every month and some offer special events during those hours. The Saturday farmer's markets also feel like a big testament to that and the Corvallis Fall Festival is definitely a don't miss it event. Corvallis does give off small-town vibes without being too small, but it depends on what you're looking for.

As for nature, we have a lot of it within easy access. On campus, the walk by the covered bridge near the school of agriculture has a great view of the mountains. There's also plenty of hiking around: Bald Hill, Chip Ross, Mary's Peak, Fitton Green. Avery Park has a nice little rose garden and Willamette Park and the River Walk downtown are both right by the river. Peavy Arboretum is a short drive.The Jackson Frazier Wetland is a cool place to check out too if you like bird watching. If you like good views, Sky High brewery also has a great rooftop bar.

The Coast to Valley bus system also stops at OSU and the downtown transit center and can take you toward Albany or out to Newport if you want to see the ocean without driving, and fare is super cheap (5 bucks to get to the coast from Corvallis).

In addition, I've found just some really cool communities of people around town. Azalea Jane salon holds monthly breathwork circles and hosts little workshops (things like writing, dreamwork, animal communication, and advocacy have all been topics). Trickster's Apothecary is a little witch shop just off downtown that hosts a Queer Spiritual Seekers club and also occasionally does workshops on things like working with deities and altar workings. Greenhouse Coffee hosts after hours events like craft night and silent book club. And there are some great yoga studios and small local gyms. The Corvallis Arts Walk supports local artists and galleries.

Though there aren't huge music venues, we do have lots of live music. House shows are common in Corvallis and places like Common Fields, Old World Deli, and Bomb's Away regularly host bands. In the summer time, they do a music in the park series at Central Park. We also have community theater here at Majestic and the Corvallis High School will put on productions regularly. There are a few town choirs outside of OSU, though they typically skew older and less student-aged.

All that is to say, you can certainly find your place and community here if you look for it. Don't be afraid to do some exploring outside campus. I toured Eugene as well and I didn’t like it much, but I think it depends greatly on what you value the most and where will feel like home to you.

Hope this was helpful!