Corvallis

So, I live in Corvallis, OR. It is a small town home to Oregon State University, GO BEAVS!, and I will live here for the next few years while my husband finishes his degree and does training before we are PCSed. Heres the thing... I am not such a huge fan of Corvallis. Trust me, I spend a considerable amount of time complaining about it.  I mean its a great college town. I have lots of friends in the area and I am surrounded by the beauty of the willamette valley (something I know I will miss when I inevitably move away from Oregon);

but there are also things I despise about the city: 

1. its small and basically boring... not as much in the spring/summer because of all the outdoorsy oregon activities you can do but in the winter, its just boring. There is a relatively okay bar scene and numerous bowling alleys/movie theaters but other than that... not much. 

2. no olive garden-- I don't think this requires a follow up but in case you need it breadsticks... yum. 

3. I have to drive at least an hour to get to the closest mall. Now I realize some of you may need to drive further but I grew up in a city that had like 4 malls within 15 miles so this has been a bit of an adjustment for me.
4. Its dreary. My doctor (who went to OSU) refers to it as the dungeon, here is a picture to help you understand. (I realize this isnt a picture of Corvallis but it gets the idea across)

5. did I mention it was small??