I am in Albany, about ten miles from Corvallis. Corvallis is a nice white collar town that supports the arts. prices for homes are high and taxes in benton county are high. Steel supply in this area comes from salem or eugene.
Corvallis has a nice climate and is a pretty area.
I prefer small towns and rural areas myself, but if you want to make the money... I would settle near a larger city. supplies are easier to get, customers with money are present etc.