What's the job market like in Eugene? (Portland, Springfield: relocating, real estate)

[movin'on]

Hi, I currently live in the Phoenix metro area and want out. I came down here from San Francisco and, no kidding, I have frequent dreams at night where I am any place but here. I hate it! I came down here to "drop out" of corporate America, which is code word for I haven't had a real job in four years. I am late 40s, single female, no children, I have an MBA, so I do have the skills to do *something.*

At any rate, I want out of here and am considering Eugene, as I am a left-leaning person who refuses to cut her hair just to conform (I hear there are a lot of hippies up that way?) If I could sell my house down here, I would have around $450k to buy one for cash up there, but my primary concern would be employment. Are there any jobs for me up there and what is the average price of a house? Thanks.

[Bendite]

I found this report about housing in Eugene. You could certainly afford a house there:

The median sale price for March 2008 was $228,500 this is a 3.6% decrease over the median sale price for March 2007.The Eugene residential real estate market peaked in June 2007 with a median sale price of $243,300. Prices have now fallen 6.1% from that peak. Months of supply (total inventory/monthly sales) sits at 8.4 months compared to the 4.5 months of supply for March 2007. A balanced market has between 6 and 8 months of supply.

Here is a link to a very recent report on employment from the U.S. DOL that looks a bit grim, but that doesn't mean there aren't jobs out there.

Eugene-Springfield, OR Economy at a Glance

[ds495]

Is Eugene and Corvallis a coffee-house kind of town? Are there any nice neighborhoods with small shopping areas to which one can walk?

[mezambo]

Eugene is about double the population of Corvallis, a lot more traffic and a lot more crime. Still, I've always liked Eugene and would consider living there. Corvallis is just where I ended up. I grew up in NYC, lived in Sacramento (awful place) for 9 years then moved to Oregon. I've lived in Portland for a couple years too.
I like Corvallis a lot. I'm an avid road cyclist and this whole Willamette Valley is heaven for cyclists. I also play saxophone with a local big band and have played flute with the local community band. There is a very active community theatre scene here. It's a great town for strolling, although, coming from NYC where everybody walks, it always surprises me how quiet the streets are in Corvallis, not that many people walk. Of course downtown you'll see a lot of walkers but most folks tend to drive downtown and then get out of their cars to walk.
We have some very good restaurants but Eugene has a lot more. The college in Eugene is known for its liberal arts whereas in Corvallis it's more of an engineering, science, forestry kind of scene and this sort of sets the tone for each town. My opinion, Corvallis is more liveable but Eugene is more exciting.
If you'd like to come and visit I'd be glad to show you around both towns on my days off. You might consider Ashland as well, it's kind of far away from anything but a very groovy town.

Mel

[mahzeltoffee]

With our sour economy I wouldn't come here to live without a job.

[ajpacino]

450k minus 200k for new house leaves you 250k I think you might have a while to find a job

[ajpacino]

we are relocating there from Sacramento ( dito, awful place ) we are looking at bandon and gold beach, both seem to be very laid back places,