We spent 7 happy years in Corvallis. Three of my children were born at Good Sam's (Good Samaritan Hospital on the outskirts). We were poor grad students at the time of course, but the town was lovely and the people were great. There was always something happening at the college and the international flavor of the university crowds hasn't been duplicated anywhere else I have lived. Do take time to get an ice cream cone in Albany. Some of the best soft-serve ice cream and it was cheap!